Should you give in to peer pressure? If it promotes healthy habits, such as diet and exercise, social influence can be very beneficial, a new study shows.
Researchers from the Miriam Hospital’s Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, found that obese people who are dieting with a like-minded group, increase their odds of losing more weight than those who go it alone.
While the study, published this month in the journal Obesity, focused on weight loss, the same results apply to physical activity, says Sara Oliver, CPT, owner of Bay Area TX Adventure Boot Camp. She points out that various studies, including one released last year by Oxford University, indicate that exercising in a group is more effective than working out alone.
“These findings are not surprising – we’ve known for ages that our health and happiness depend, to a large degree, on our ability to have stimulating relationships with other people,” she points out. “So it is natural that surrounding ourselves with people who have similar health and fitness goals can help us achieve these results more successfully.”
Here are some of the reasons why exercising with a group raises the chance of achieving your fitness goals:
Motivation: When you feel like giving up exercise – and all of us do from time to time – a little encouragement from your fellow classmates can go a long way towards keeping you on track.
Structure and guidance: If you work out on your own, you might not be doing your exercises correctly or safely, or perhaps you are tempted to skip the exercises you don’t like. That’s where you will benefit from the instructor’s guidance and your group’s support.
Fun! Exercise should not be dull or monotonous, but all too often it is just that. “If you go through the same routine every time, you will not only get bored, but also may not see the results you want,” Oliver notes. “But in a group setting like a boot camp, where workouts are varied and fun, you will continue to be challenged and excited, and look forward to each session.”
And because boot camps provide significant results in weight loss, fat reduction, cardio endurance, as well as other fitness and health benefits (in addition to group support and pleasant social interactions), “they continue to rank, year after year, among the most popular fitness trends,” Oliver points out.
And while we are trying to avoid exposure to flu and cold viruses this winter season, the “contagious” peer mindset - especially as it pertains to healthy lifestyle habits - is one “bug” you should definitely try to catch, Oliver says.
About Bay Area TX Adventure Boot Camp:
Sara Oliver, CPT opened Adventure Boot Camp in the Bay Area in Oct. 2006 and has expanded to include over 7 times and locations. Schedules and client testimonials are available at http://www.GetToBootCamp.com. Sara, a certified boot camp instructor with 12 years of experience in the fitness industry, can be reached at SaraOliver@GetToBootCamp.com or 713-515-5081.
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When it comes to exercise, play well with others
