How can group exercise classes boost your mental health?
Exercise and mental health are more connected than we think!
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It's a simple truth: regular exercise can significantly boost your mental health and emotional wellbeing!
You don’t need intense or lengthy workouts to start feeling the benefits. With so many ways to stay active, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore new activities and enhance your lifestyle. Group workout classes are a great place to start...
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- How can exercise help my mental health?
- The benefits of group exercise classes on mental health
- I want to try a group exercise class - where do I begin?
How can exercise help my mental health?
You already know it’s good for your body, here’s how it can help your mind!
Reducing stress
We know that if you’re generally feeling low, stressed, or struggling with anxiety or depression, exercise can drop down on your to-do list. The good news is that movement really can be medicine!
Physical activity releases feel-good chemicals which promote positive change in our brains, while helping to relax our muscles and relieve tension in the body. If you’re exercising outside, this can also serve as a good distraction from day-to-day stresses.
The best way to get started and break the cycle is to start small, this could be something as little as a 10-minute walk with a friend.
Aiding sleep
Exercise can improve sleep in more ways than you may think! As we know, physical activity boosts our mood, which can help us feel more awake. Doing moderate to vigorous exercise can also reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, improving sleep quality as a result.
Doing some cardio or resistance training in the morning can stimulate melatonin (the hormone which signals to our brain that it’s time to sleep) release earlier in the evening, whilst lighter workouts (hello BODYBALANCE!) which are completed later in the day can help reduce the chances of you waking up once you’re asleep.
Finding an activity that you can do regularly and fits into your schedule will help you commit to it in the long run!
Improving brain function
Exercise boost memory and thinking too, as these are areas which can be affected by reduced sleep, stress, and anxiety, as mentioned above.
Regular exercise can help to boost the release of ‘growth factors’ in our brains, which are chemicals that affect the health of brain cells, the growth of new blood vessels in the brain, and even the survival of new brain cells!
A study also showed that doing regular aerobic exercise – the kind that gets your heart pumping – boosts the brain area involved in verbal memory and learning.
The benefits of group exercise classes on mental health
Now that you know how exercise can benefit your mental health, we’ll jump into how getting active in a group setting can give you a boost too! It’s easy to see why group workout classes are so popular…
Finding a new Community
In between work, studying, childcare, and other commitments, it can be tricky to meet new people in day-to-day life. This is where group exercise can help!
Whether you’re joining a group workout class or something outside of our centres, you’re bound to meet likeminded people, as you’ll have a shared interest in the activity you’re doing. Many people find that once they’re settled into a group exercise network, it gives them a feeling of belonging too. Having this kind of support system can keep you going when you might not have done if you were exercising on your own!
Improving self-esteem
Having the energy of others around us while we exercise can do wonders for our self-esteem. There will always be somebody on hand to encourage you and keep up the momentum, like an instructor in one of our group workout classes!
Regular physical activity is a part of our lives where we can set personal milestones, and once we reach them it can significantly lift our self-esteem. No matter how small, celebrating these achievements consistently helps reinforce confidence within ourselves!
Making exercise fun
Fun and fitness go together hand-in-hand!
When we exercise, endorphins (our hormones which improve mood) are released, and when that’s paired with socialising, there’s a double whammy of goodness that comes from exercising as a group. We know that when you find exercising fun, you’re more likely to stay consistent with it, making supportive instructors, upbeat music, and a friendly group of people a recipe for success!
I want to try a group exercise class - where do I begin?
We have plenty of group workout classes for beginners, seasoned class-goers, and everyone in between! All of our classes can be modified easily too, with our expert instructors on hand to answer questions about what the class will involve, helping you decide what may work best for you.
It can help to try out different types of group exercise classes, which is why many of our centres have a wide range of them. We’re all different, so it’s important to find an exercise option which brings you the most benefits to your mental health. As you get moving and find your feet, you may find that you prefer a certain class, instructor, or centre!
If group workout classes aren’t your thing, don’t sweat it! You could try joining a walking group, finding a local run club, organising activities with family or friends (cycling anyone?), or even getting some steps in on a lunchtime walk with your colleagues.
Ready to step into your new favourite class? Find your nearest centre below – we’ll see you there!
Group workout classes near me
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Sources: How are physical activity and mental health connected? (Mind) | How to look after your mental health using exercise (Mental Health Foundation) |Exercise and Sleep (Sleep Foundation | Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory, thinking skills (Harvard Health Publishing)