“My best friend is the one
who brings out the best in me.”
-
Henry Ford
Exercise is necessary and beneficial
for a healthy body. So too, associating with others is equally necessary and
beneficial for a healthy mind. Working out with others provides advantages that
exceed those benefits of simply working out alone. From increased endorphin
levels, accountability, making new friends through fitness, the structure
enjoyed from a group fitness class and many other benefits, exercising with a
group of like minded individuals definitely has unique advantages not easily
achieved otherwise. Time spent working on your physical fitness and your
friendships are both valuable and essential to living your best life. While
there are many different types of exercise in which you can enjoy the company
of others, the three that I have found most beneficial are group exercise
classes, running and athletic events and organized team sports.
Group Exercise Classes
“If you want to go fast, go
alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
-
African Proverb
There are few things in life that
make you feel as invigorated as exercising with a group of friends first thing
in the morning. Enjoying a light breakfast and an ample supply of caffeine in
advance of your workout prepares your body and mind for the task at hand. Feeding
off the positive vibes of others around you as you join in a group exercise
class brings a type of energy that many other activities lack. Having the combination
of social stimulation and the sensation of sweat beading up on your forehead allows
your cares to melt away as you mindfully focus only on the moment before you.
The heat that begins to swell within you is matched with the cool of an indoor
fan caressing your skin. This dichotomy of heat and cool can be quite an
exhilarating way to begin your day with the added boost that this engagement will
give you both physically and mentally for hours after your workout. As your
heart is pumping faster to supply the much needed oxygen to your muscles, your
respiration deepens further into your lungs as your breath increases in
frequency. The group exercise instructor’s confident voice loudly and clearly
gives instructions as the intensity and beat of the music pumps through the
speakers. In as little as thirty minutes after your workout, endorphins flood
your brain as you experience a natural euphoria that decreases pain, stress,
symptoms of depression and leaves you feeling like you are on top of the world!
While group exercise classes
are amazing, the sheer amount of choices can be quite intimidating. Depending
on which gym you attend, there may be as many as several dozen offerings. Many
gyms offer a combination from more traditional fitness classes such as
aerobics, spin and core strengthening to the exotic end of the spectrum like
pole dancing or African dance class. Knowing which classes will fit your
interests, abilities and fitness level will be a process of trial end error. When
choosing to attend a group fitness class for the first time, take advantage of
knowledgeable staff or instructors to prepare you for how to dress, what to
bring and what to expect in your first session.
Running and Athletic Events
“If you want to run, run a
mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon”
-
Emil Zatopek
While group exercise can be
challenging in its own right, committing to the necessary training to complete
an organized run or athletic event requires a different level of dedication
altogether. During a group exercise class, if it is not going well, you have
the option of getting up and leaving the room. However, it is much more
difficult to simply quit an organized running event or other similar athletic activity.
In many cases, these athletes that you are participating with have trained for
months or even years for the event in which they have chosen. While there are
instances of injury or under training that result in a “did not finish” (DNF)
status for some participants, such a designation is not favorable as this is not
only embarrassing, but also an expensive event to simply quit prior to crossing
the finish line. Because events such as long-distance running, triathlons,
cycling and other similar organized athletics require such an incredible level
of commitment to training, these events present an excellent opportunity for
socialization. On social media, at your local athletic clubs and on popular
websites you can easily find groups in your closest metropolitan area that
regularly meet and train for these types of athletic events. By engaging in
training sessions, group runs and signing up to participate in competitive athletics;
you can find like minded individuals who also enjoy the same activities that
you do.
Organized Team Sports
“Friendships born on the
field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become
corroded, friends gather no dust.”
-
Jesse Owens
Anyone who has ever
participated on a championship sports team knows well the camaraderie of
teammates. There is a level of friendship and respect between those who have
won a well earned victory and overcome amazing odds to become the very best at
what they do. In order for a team to consistently win in any sport, discipline,
hard work, effective communication and perseverance must be valued above all
other traits. While some players are more gifted than others, trivial aspects
of competition such as talent, speed and pure athleticism will only take you so
far towards a victory. Ironically, these same traits are also among the
greatest variables in the success or failure of one’s life decisions. Team
sports, whether participated in as a youth or as an adult, teach valuable
lessons about the necessary skills required for interpersonal relations. Just
like playing on a sports team, in order for an individual to consistently win
in life, discipline, hard work, effective communication and perseverance must
also be valued above all other traits in relating to those with whom we
associate. By continuing to participate in team sports as an adult, we are
reminded of the lessons of our own youth regarding the value of not only
exercise, but also of mutual cooperation, leadership and working well with
others.
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