Grab Some Friends and Get In Shape: The Benefits of Small Group Training

There are a wide variety of different ways to encourage you to maintain your training regimen, but a small group training plan is one of the best. Whether you're trying to lose weight, get in good shape, maintain your form or figure or achieve another goal, one of the keys to any exercise plan is consistency. However, the challenges of exercising can be daunting for many people, and it's not uncommon for people to give up after only a short period of time.

Fortunately, a small group can help you to track your progress, maintain your efforts toward your ultimate goals, and have a lot more fun as you train than you would if you exercised by yourself.

Small Groups for Motivation

Most people find that it's much easier to stay motivated if you do it with other people and not just by yourself. If you're interested in getting in better shape, find a group of three to five other friends who are interested in achieving similar goals. You do not need to be approaching the exercise plan from the same place, nor do you need to be at the same level of fitness either. Establishing a set of group policies can help you to stay focused and on track.

Small Groups for Support

When you've entered into a difficult stage of your exercise program, having people there alongside you to share in your experience and encourage you along the way is oftentimes the difference between a successful exercise plan and one that tends to fizzle out over time. Share in your challenges and your successes with your fellow group members, and be supportive of their efforts as well.

Small Groups for Fun

Most anyone will agree that exercising alone can become boring and tedious. When your exercising is boring or tedious, you're that much more likely to give it up before you have had the chance to reap the full benefit of the training program. To keep yourself going, make use of your fellow group members. For instance, try enrolling in a cardiovascular class at a local gym together. Alternately, you can work out at the same time each day. Having other people to talk to and share experiences with while you work out can help you to have a good time while you exercise.

Other Benefits

Small group reward systems can be much better than standard reward systems as well. Many people set up a reward system for themselves that is difficult to maintain or detrimental to their goals. With a small group, however, you can provide an incentive for maintaining your end of the exercise bargain; if one person doesn't complete his obligation to exercise, the entire group will suffer and won't receive a reward. This helps to keep people in check and encourages all group members to look out for one another while simultaneously maintaining a sense of personal responsibility.

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