People are always looking for new and creative ways to make exercise fun. This is why group classes have been all the rage over the past couple of years. They’re popular with both beginners who don’t know where to start, and fitness veterans who are looking for new ways to grow in their training. Wherever you are in your fitness journey, there’s a lot to be gained from enrolling yourself in a group class.

Boost your motivation

Everyone loves a good sweat, but not everyone can be motivated enough to go through entire routines alone. Luckily, joining a group class allows you to tap into your competitive side. In fact, researchers from Michigan State University observed how the slower members of sports teams made greater gains when they did their exercises together with some of the better members. Seeing others around you trying their best helps push you past your limits.

Correct your form

There are some routines, poses, and forms that are really hard to nail, and group classes can give you lots of opportunities to get them right. Group classes are usually led by a certified fitness instructor that can offer you expert advice. You can also just look around and use your classmates are references for making minor corrections to your form. While resting between workouts, you can observe how others execute exercises from different angle.

Meet new people

There are times in everyone’s life when we feel a bit lonely or isolated. It can be for reasons like living alone or working too much that you barely have time for anything else. However, being social is hugely important.An introduction into Maryville University’s social science degree explains how daily interactions are the building blocks of the human experience. A huge part of the appeal of group classes is the people you meet and share workout sessions with. There’s a special kind of bond that’s created between people who struggle alongside each other. Bustle reports that group sessions can lead to an increased chance of forming friendships, which is also fundamental for improving the mental health of a person. This leads us to our next point.

Cultivate your self-esteem

Doing your poses in a space where other people can observe you can be a little nerve-wracking. If you’re burdened by social anxiety, we recommend joining a class that encourages loud praises and quiet critiques. Picking the right group can allow you to cultivate some self-esteem. The more you believe in yourself, the better your performance will be.Aligned with the advocacy of non-profit organization Back on My Feet, it’s when people manage to develop confidence, strength, and self-esteem that they become better prepared to tackle the road ahead. While being in a class can be scary, nothing boosts confidence like nailing that perfect form in front of like-minded people.

Diversify your workouts

If you’re starting to get bored with your same old fitness routine, then enrolling in a group class can bring some much-needed diversity to your workout. Additionally, an article on Maven Doctors notes that fitness classes can keep your body from adapting to old routines, thereby preventing training plateaus and allowing you to better reap the benefits of working out. Diversifying your workout doesn’t just make it more interesting, it also makes it more effective.

Teach yourself consistency

Fitness classes are fixed. Regardless if it’s once or twice a week, every other day, or twice on weekends, you know that it’s a fixed activity in your schedule. Eventually, when you’ve finished all your sessions, you might find yourself doing the same routines at home or even at the gym. Having fixed days rather than just going to the gym whenever you feel like it can lead to fitness habits that carry over in the future.

Don’t overthink it and just sign up for a group class. Apart from thousands of calories, what have you got to lose?