Have you ever experienced a day when the thought of working out is the least appealing? Perhaps you’re fatigued, overwhelmed by work or personal matters, and all you desire is to collapse onto your couch and unwind.
In many instances, we make an effort to convince ourselves not to exercise, finding reasons to support our decision and even bargaining with ourselves to avoid going to the gym, skipping yoga, or not going for a run outdoors.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation where a friend insists on going to the gym despite your reluctance, ultimately convincing you to join them?
Having a supportive community around you is crucial and can assist you in achieving your goals. This is exemplified by the fact that you experience a surge of endorphins, a smile appearing on your face, and a feeling of being invigorated and grateful for the encouragement that led you towards success.
Having a support system is valuable for making changes for your health and physical fitness, regardless of whether it consists of family members, friends, or colleagues.
Here are the benefits of having a strong fitness community
1. Support
At certain points in our lives, there are instances when circumstances do not align with our desires. During times of failure, we quickly recognize our inability to always recover independently.
In certain situations, we require our support systems to demonstrate that we are not alone in the obstacles we are encountering and to reinforce the fact that we have a supportive circle of individuals who may be going through a similar path as us. An illustration of this is the community we have established at Burn Boot Camp, which has aided numerous clients in overcoming difficult periods in their lives.
2. Motivation
Discovering motivation on a daily basis can prove challenging, particularly when navigating the journey alone. It is unavoidable that certain mornings we may lack the drive to accomplish anything and require assistance in locating the motivation to propel ourselves forward.
Have you ever experienced a dreadful day and then a friend unexpectedly arrives, provides a compliment, and completely alters your perspective? Expressions of support have a significant influence and their effect on those around you can be unpredictable!
3. Accountability
Your community is there to help you surpass your own limitations, whether it’s sticking to completing the last few reps at the gym, selecting the healthier choice while dining with friends, or persevering through a challenging workout when you’re completely drained.
Surrounding yourself with people who will bring out the best in you is crucial and will motivate you to make positive choices in your life. It is important to be around individuals who will bring out the best in you and encourage you to make positive choices in your life, and a good fitness community will accomplish exactly that.
4. Energy
When someone approaches you with a wide grin and a gesture of celebration, it is extremely challenging to resist smiling back and responding! When this enthusiasm multiplies within a whole group of individuals, it becomes even more transmissible.
If you choose to go to the gym alone and stick to your usual routine, it can be challenging to feel energized every day. However, when you exercise with others in a supportive setting, it can foster a positive mindset and provide the necessary vigor to successfully complete your workout, even on days when your mind discourages you.
5. Inspiration
Expanding your perceived limits can occur when you observe someone achieve something you previously believed was impossible, thus inspiring you to realize your untapped potential and consider new possibilities.
No matter who you are, you can inspire others by facing challenges, stretching yourself beyond your limits, and persevering in difficult times. It is not your level of fitness that matters, but rather how you handle imperfections that inspires others, as perfection does not inspire.
Are you struggling to find motivation, working out for the first time in over a year, or chasing a goal that you haven’t been able to achieve?
If you can, find a support system that will assist you in your growth, motivate you to reach new heights, provide support during challenging times, and celebrate your accomplishments as you continue your fitness journey.
It can be daunting to achieve your goal, but with a supportive community by your side, you can ensure that it becomes a much easier endeavor.
6. You’ll build strength in numbers
Remember the concept of peer pressure? Although you may not encounter it frequently (or at all) beyond your high school years, a similar phenomenon occurs when you engage in group workouts. The positive behaviors of your companions inevitably influence you. Research indicates that exercising alongside others amplifies the duration and effort you invest in physical activity, in contrast to individuals who work out alone.
Observing others can serve as a source of inspiration, urging you to persist even when the desire to quit arises. Being accompanied by a workout partner can instill motivation in you to attend sessions. Additionally, engaging in group fitness classes or exercising in a studio alongside a complete group can stimulate you to exert more effort and escalate your fitness progress.
7. Support you and give you a sense of belonging
There are moments in our lives when circumstances do not align with our desires. During such times, our fitness community can offer a valuable reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that we have a group of supportive individuals who may be undergoing similar experiences on our shared path.
As an adult, finding a place where you fit in can be difficult. Exercising with a friend or in a group fosters the idea of unity. When you’re feeling tired during a workout, others can provide motivation to keep going. Engaging in challenging exercises with others establishes a feeling of togetherness and responsibility.
8. Increase your energy
It is common knowledge that energy can be contagious, whether it is positive or negative. Whenever someone approaches you with an enthusiastic smile and offers a high-five, it becomes extremely difficult to resist smiling back and returning the gesture.
When a whole group of people amplifies that energy, it becomes even more contagious. Exercising with others in a supportive setting can evoke a positive mindset and provide the necessary motivation to excel in your workout, even on days when your mind convinces you otherwise.
9. Get competitive with yourself and others
There is a part of us that holds a desire to outperform others. Need proof? Consider the numerous occasions when a friendly board game took on a competitive edge. Likewise, in a fitness group, we all have a drive to see our name climb higher on the leaderboard.
A study demonstrated that individuals who possess a competitive mindset tend to engage in more frequent and intense workout sessions in order to progress in their rankings. When perceiving someone ranked higher, one may feel compelled to exert extra effort in order to catch up to or surpass them.
10. Have more fun
Participating in a fitness community can also be enjoyable. It is not solely about exertion and physical activity; there is also plenty of humor, merriment, and companionship involved. When you regularly interact with the same individuals in weekly sessions or multiple classes, it adds an element of enjoyment to going to the gym or attending a class. Numerous members develop connections that extend beyond the fitness facility and blossom into enduring friendships.
If you are still considering it, you may have a preference for exercising alone. Everyone has their own preferences, but don’t you still think it would be better to do so in a friendly and community-oriented environment? Achieving your goal can seem daunting, but with a community by your side, you can ensure that it is considerably easier and more productive.
