Could tag-teaming a workout boost our fitness? We uncover the benefits of buddying up.
Any PT will tell you that the key to staying consistent with a workout routine is to make our sweat sessions enjoyable. One easy way to do this is to exercise with a friend.
Research has shown that working out with others is a good incentive if we want to exercise regularly, particularly as a woman in midlife. With shifting hormones and plenty on our plate, staying committed to a daily workout can do more for our wellbeing than we might think, especially if we combine it with socialising.
Mental gains
Studies show there’s nothing quite like the collective high of beating the opposing team while playing a sport, or the thrill of finishing a fast and furious dance class with a close girlfriend. According to one 2020 study in the Journal of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, those who work up a sweat in group fitness classes reportedly work harder and enjoy themselves more than solo exercisers.
‘Humans have three basic psychological needs,’ explains performance psychologist Emma Weir (p3rform.co.uk). ‘To feel we have control over our decisions, to feel success and to feel connected. Satisfying these basic needs leads to an increase in internal motivation, and science shows that working out with others can increase our self-esteem, reduce stress and support healthy brain function.’
In short, the social aspect of group exercise not only makes working out more enjoyable, it also makes us more likely to want to do it again. Win, win.
Social support
Experts also note that ditching our solo workout in favour of a class is particularly beneficial at this stage of life, when many of us struggle to schedule
