Group or partner running and exercise provides support, structure, and accountability. No one likes letting their buddy(s) down, so each individual in the group or partnership is more likely to adhere to the exercise schedule. Some running groups may even play harmless pranks on a member for being a no-show at a 5:30AM run (such as ringing their doorbell at 5:35AM)! Once you've joined your exercise group, if the thought of letting your buddies down, or the fear of being the victim of a playful prank don't motivate you to get out of bed, perhaps the thought of missing out on the fun conversations and creation of inside jokes will! Don't you hate it when you can't make a 'girls night in' and days or weeks pass before you finally hear the juicy gossip that took place that night, only you're the last one to know, and it's just not the same as being there in person when the secretes were revealed? And isn't sitting at home by yourself watching a DVR’d replay of the most exciting college basketball game in decades extremely lame compared to actually being at the game with your best friends, making memories together? Every group run or exercise can be thought of that way, because you never know on exactly what day your training buddy is going to pour their thoughts and heart out; or when someone in the group will trip on a pot hole in the road and perform a fluid gymnast roll maneuver, springing back to their feet without a bruise or scratch on them; or when a stray kitten wanders upon your path, causing everyone in the group to stop and "awwww" and eventually be permanently adopted by a member of your group. Some things you just have to see to believe.
Many individuals need the camaraderie and support from others while exercising. There's no denying the satisfaction one gets from hearing your exercise buddy tell you how toned your legs are looking, or thanking you for helping them to accomplish their own fitness goals on a particular day because YOU were by their side. Exercising solo, there is no one else to make observations about your slimming backside, and no one else reassuring you that you are doing the right thing.
"Misery loves company." We've all heard the saying, or said it to a friend in an effort to persuade them to join us in what would surely be a daunting task without their presence. I find this adage ironic, however, in the case of group exercising. When exercising with a partner or group, it's as if the part of the brain that would generally yell at you "This is miserable and insane!" during a solo workout, becomes greatly numbed and subdued in the presence of others. What may seem miserable when done solo, now becomes tolerable, and even enjoyable in a group setting.
I came across a few articles online that talked about a particular research study which suggests group workouts cause the body to releases more endorphins than solo workouts. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8257716.stm Based on my personal experiences with group exercise and running, this did not surprise me in the least, but I was happily surprised to find someone actually did a real study on this phenomenon!
There are a few things to keep in mind when joining a group for exercise: If the group is too big, it can make you feel anonymous, negating the "I have to show up because I'm being held accountable" mindset. If you find yourself in a very large running group, stick with the members who are closest to your pace and strike up conversation with them. You will soon feel like your 'core' running group is small and tight-knit enough that they will miss you if you play hooky from a run. If you join an enormous group exercise class, and feel like the instructor does not even notice you, introduce yourself at the beginning or end of class, and ask for a little attention from him/ her these first few weeks to make sure you are using proper technique. Try to make conversation (before and after class ~ not during!) with those around you, and with your instructor. Once you know a little about them, and they about you, you've laid the groundwork to experience those accountability and guilt feelings if you're contemplating skipping a future class.
Some people really enjoy training solo because they like the solitude, and/or the liberty to work out when it works best for their schedule. While it is a great test of mental toughness to see if you can push yourself and stay motivated through your entire workout, it can be difficult to have a stellar workout without peer support or anyone around to challenge you. I personally know some very accomplished athletes who do 90% or more of their workouts solo. I really admire the drive and determination they must have to be able to do that day after day after day. Some weeks, I have to train solo because my schedule (or, lately, my desire to stay indoors rather than face winter) just does not allow me to train with my buddies. I do feel I am able to give my workout 100 % effort and concentration when I train solo, but I know that this solo training is only temporary. There is a lot of self-talk involved during a solo workout, and that’s when I learn how to be tough, and how to talk to myself on race day, when it’s just me versus the clock.
Do you prefer to exercise solo or with a group (or a combination of the two)?
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