Group fitness classes for everyone. Why do more women than men participate in them?

Do you like hitting the gym on your own or do you need group classes to keep you motivated? Your gender may have something to do with what you prefer, but exercising with others benefits everyone.

According to A 2024 Trends Report from Stravathe app, which allows users to track their physical activity, saw an 89% increase this year in the number of women joining Strava Clubs — so-called virtual community groups where members can share workouts, compete in challenges and unite around common fitness goals. That’s not the only indication that women prefer group workouts, virtual or otherwise, with a Strava report showing that 35% of women’s weekend morning activities include groups — 20% more than men. A 2018 UK survey also found that 78.4% of respondents who attended group exercise classes were women, and only 21.6% were men.

Why is this so? Mia Lind, creator of Hot Girl Walks — aka monthly organized hikes in cities like Miami, New York, Los Angeles and London — has found that women who come to her events praise the social element of group fitness classes.

“(Women) will say, ‘I’m having a hard time making friends.’ I need friends.” And they’re going to go and look for these (fitness) communities,” she tells Yahoo Life. Lind says she sees everyone from stay-at-home moms to remote workers and women in “male-dominated fields” joining her Hot Girl Walks.

Considering this research results that they are more effective at creating social support structures than men, it makes sense that busy women—who can be especially scheduled because of the burden of caregiving roles — approach group fitness as a way of both socializing and exercising. (Although women may exercise less than men, they are also more likely to understand the health benefits of it, according to Research by the National Institute of Health.)

Carrie Minter Ebersfounder Kerry PilatesYahoo Life reports that “group workouts give women the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and motivate each other to stay consistent in their fitness journeys.”

Minter Ebers adds, “It’s not just training; it’s about community and transformation, both physical and mental. Women feel empowered when they feel supported, and group fitness makes that possible.”

Another factor? Security. In a poll of 2,000 women surveyed by England Athletics, more than 50% said they would feel safer running in a group than by themselves.

But while women may dominate group training, there are reasons for that everyone worth a try. Here are the benefits of training with others, regardless of your gender.

You’re more likely to stick with your workouts

The friend we meet for fitness can become our friend “accountability friend”: someone who supports and encourages you to stay committed to your goals. These friends can be virtual (like in a Strava club) or personal.

“You can share your progress, plan to attend certain classes together, and even potentially have a little friendly competition if that’s your vibe.” CycleBar instructor and personal trainer Emma Belluomo tells Yahoo Life.

But even if you don’t specifically assign this role to the person you work out with, you’re less likely to want to disappoint the friends you work out with regularly.

“It’s easy to skip a workout if it’s just you,” Belluomo notes, “but if you’ve made a plan to go with someone or signed up for a class, you’re much more likely to show it.”

You can make friends… or more

Data from the Strava report shows that the biggest motivator for group exercise is ‘social bonding’. Meanwhile, 58% of respondents said they’ve made friends through fitness groups, and nearly 1 in 5 Gen Z respondents said they’ve gone on a date with someone they met through exercise. (Not surprising, given that many singles turn to management clubs as a way to meet potential partners.)

“The social connections formed during group exercise often extend beyond the workouts, creating strong friendships and a stronger support system for overall health and well-being,” says the health coach. Elizabeth Katzman tells Yahoo Life.

You can work even harder

Following the crowd can be good if that crowd encourages you to push yourself. Bob Korb, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in sports psychology, Men’s Health previously reported that people “work harder when they’re in a group because they compare themselves to each other and don’t want to look weak or lazy.”

A Strava report found that average activity duration increases by 40% when people exercise in a group of 10 or more people than by themselves.

You will try something new

“Exercising with others can introduce you to new exercises, techniques, and training styles that will help keep your workouts fresh and prevent plateaus.” — Cara D’Orazio, personal trainer and owner Fitness CGMtells Yahoo Life.

Accession running clubfor example, can help you prepare for a marathon in ways you might not have thought of before. Group fitness classes can allow you to try new machines—like, say, the Pilates Reformer—that you wouldn’t have access to on your own.

You will have fun!

Maria Vasquez, personal trainer and head of training at Mywowfittells Yahoo Life that while “it’s a lot harder to skip the gym when you have friends or a group waiting for you,” you’ll probably be more excited to get back to group workouts than solo ones. “The energy of the group is contagious – everyone cheers each other on, making even the most challenging workouts more doable and fun.”

There’s even a biological reason why you may get more joy out of group exercise, says Michael Betts, personal trainer and director of Trainfitness. “Social interaction releases additional endorphins in addition to the natural mood boost from exercise,” he tells Yahoo Life.