Sweat Together, Grow Together: Why Group Classes Are Good For Your Mind, Body & Soul
October 1, 2026 | Written by Luci Merineth
You could work out alone. Headphones in, nobody watching, full control of the playlist. It's efficient. It's comfortable. And honestly? It's holding you back.
There's something that happens when you walk into a room full of people moving toward the same goal. Something no solo treadmill session can replicate. Call it energy. Call it accountability. Call it the very human need to struggle alongside other humans. Whatever it is, it works.
The Science Is on Your Side
Researchers at Oxford found that people who exercised in groups released significantly more endorphins than those who trained alone, even when the total workload was identical. The physical effort was the same, but the chemical reward wasn't. There's also the Köhler effect: the psychological phenomenon where people work harder in groups than they ever would alone, especially when they know others are counting on them. That's not peer pressure. That's evolution.
Morale Isn't a Soft Benefit
Walk into a spin class, a boot camp, or a dance studio and you'll feel it before you even break a sweat. There's momentum in the room. That atmosphere isn't accidental. It's what transforms a workout from a chore into something you actually look forward to. High morale means higher consistency. And consistency is the only thing that actually changes your body long-term. Not the perfect program. Not the latest supplement. Just showing up, week after week, because people you like are there.
The Bonds Are Real
You've been through something together. You've gasped through the same final minute of a plank. You've shown up on the days you didn't want to and found someone else doing
the same. That shared struggle builds trust fast. Studies on group exercise consistently show that participants report higher feelings of social connection and belonging than solo exercisers. These aren't superficial gym-floor friendships. They're built on mutual vulnerability and showing up when it's hard.
Mind and Spirit Follow the Body
Group fitness pulls you out of your own head. It gives you an hour where you're not scrolling or ruminating. You're just present, surrounded by people doing the same. There's something quietly powerful about choosing to share your effort. It softens the isolation of modern life and reminds you that collective joy is still possible. That people can push each other toward something good.
The Takeaway
You don't need more willpower. You need better company. Find a class, a team, a coach, find your people. The kind who'll call you out when you're sandbagging and cheer you on when you're not. The body you build there will be the reward. But the community? That's the reason you'll stay.
READY WHEN YOU ARE… BOOK YOUR CLASS BELOW
GET TO KNOW THE AUTHOR
Luci Merineth | Lagree, Functional Training
Luci is a lifelong fitness enthusiast, Lagree trainer, and ICF-certified Synergy and Executive Leadership Coach who leads with energy, empathy, and experience. With three decades in corporate marketing, creative production, and leadership communications, she loves helping people to move—with intention, impact, and heart.
A recent transplant to Reno, she is thrilled to be a part of the Infinity family and is thoroughly enjoying this new community. She’s a fitness and mindset coach who helps clients build strength that lasts—both physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Luci is a mom of two college-aged daughters and two adorable pups. She juggles her career in the studio with her responsibilities as a dog mom and is also a big fan of golf, skiing, and pickleball. Whether you’re crushing it on the Megaformer or navigating life’s turning points, Luci is here to help you level up and move forward with purpose.
