We all know that daily exercise is good for you. Whether that’s a walk with your dog around the park, a bicycle ride or a full-blown workout at the gym, anything you do to get moving can have positive health benefits. However, if you exercise with others in a group setting then there are even more benefits to be had that not only aid your physical health but can also have a great impact on your mental health. What’s more, according to the Alzheimer’s Society, of all the lifestyle changes that have been studied, taking regular physical exercise appears to be one of the best things that you can do to reduce your risk of getting dementia.

To help you maintain your resolution to do more exercise this year, we’ve compiled a list of the top benefits of exercising in a social setting – so there’s no excuse to sit still!

1. Less likely to stop!

When exercising with others you’re much more likely to keep at it. When you exercise on your own, it can sometimes be tempting to slow down or stop if you get tired or aren’t really enjoying what you’re doing. However, in an organised class, the intensity of your workout is more likely to remain at a constant level and you’re more likely to keep up with fellow classmates.

2. Less likely to skip class

By signing up to a class or arranging to meet a friend there, you’re much less likely to be a no show. You’ve made a commitment by booking a slot, taken a place someone else could have had, so you’d better use it! In much the same way, if you’re meeting a friend you don’t want to let them down.

3. Keep going for longer

Having a teacher at the front of the class will help keep you motivated as will the encouragement (and friendly competition) of classmates!

4. Make it part of your routine

Generally, group classes are organised and at the same time every week, therefore it’s easy to make them part of your routine. You can plan for the entire month (or even the entire year!) and quickly exercise will become less of a chore and just second nature.

5. Make new friends

Joining a group exercise session for the first time can be a bit intimidating but you’ll soon be asking yourself why you didn’t do it sooner?! It’s a great way to meet new friends in a relaxed, easy setting. Time to chat is limited during the class so it’s just a case of quick pleasantries that can grow over time and after class.

6. Boost your mood

Socialising while exercising releases endorphins which make us feel good. Exercise lifts your mood and will also help you feel less stressed and able to face challenges more clearly.

7. Boost your memory

Being more physically active can help you sleep better which in turn will help you concentrate better during the day. According to the Harvard Medical Review, many studies have suggested that the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory are larger in volume in people who exercise than in people who don’t.

8. Have fun!

Undoubtedly the best way to ensure you’re getting the most out of any exercise class is to make sure you have fun. If you have fun, you’re way more likely to go back for more and look forward to it instead of dreading it!

So follow these top tips and we guarantee you’ll be excited and energised to exercise with your friends throughout 2023!

At the Shires, you can enjoy the freedom of independent living as part of a vibrant community purpose-built to help you get the most from retirement.
72 luxurious 1- and 2-bedroom apartments are set within beautiful communal gardens and sit on the doorstep of the historic Birmingham suburb of Moseley.

For more information on retirement living, click here to visit The Shires website.