Remember when you were warned about peer pressure? Well, guess what? Not all peer pressure is bad! ParticipACTION is pleased to announce the launch of our latest public education campaign, Fall in with an active crowd, funded by the Government of Canada.
6 reasons to join an active crowd
1. You’ll become more motivated
If you enjoy doing a certain physical activity for its own sake, you’ll be more motivated to stick with it. Since getting active can be more fun when you’re surrounded by positive influences and like-minded people, you’ll likely experience that enjoyment. In one study, people reported enjoying physical activity more when they did it with their friends, spouses or co-workers than when they did it solo. Another study showed that group fitness helped increase older adults’ motivation not only because of the health benefits but also the positive social interactions they had.
2. Your stress levels will drop, and your quality of life may improve
One study found that group exercise participants reported less stress and significant improvements in their physical, mental and emotional quality of life. Even though the individual fitness participants exercised for twice as long on average as the group exercise participants, they reported no significant changes in any measure besides mental quality of life.
3. You’ll be more accountable
Research shows that getting active in group settings can help you reach your fitness goals. This could be because group physical activity programs like sport leagues and dance classes have set schedules to stick to, people will notice if you’re not at a practice, game or class, and you could be concerned about letting the group down. All of this means you’ll be more likely to show up.
4. You’ll find it easier to make getting active a habit
A habit is an automatic behaviour that requires a cue to trigger it and a reward to keep it up. Being reminded by members of your active crew about an upcoming practice, class or game is your cue to get active, while the positive feelings you experience from breaking a sweat with others is your reward.
5. You’ll become more confident
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most active of them all? We tend to model our behaviour after those around us, and research shows that when you see others being active, it can help you feel more confident in your own ability. So, surrounding yourself with movers and shakers can help you say goodbye to self-doubt!
6. You’ll experience a higher endorphin rush
Whether you get active solo or with a squad, your body releases endorphins (feel-good chemicals that reduce pain and boost feelings of pleasure). But group activities may cause your endorphin levels to rise even more. One study that compared university rowers’ pain thresholds (a measure of endorphin levels) when they trained as a group versus individually showed that athletes who rowed in a team had higher pain thresholds than when they rowed alone for the same amount of time. According to the study authors, this result suggests that group exercise may cause greater endorphin release.
5 tips for finding an active crowd
1. Figure out what physical activities and sports you enjoy
Start by identifying sports and physical activities you like or want to try. Knowing this will help you find groups with shared passions and interests. Do you think you have what it takes to strut with the mall-walkers, smash with the pickleballers or stretch with the yogis?
2. Join physically active groups on online platforms or apps
Websites and apps like Nextdoor, Meetup, Facebook, or Parkrun have groups for anything from walking to running to cycling. You can browse groups and events by location and category, and many of the groups and events listed are free or cost little to join or attend.
3. Sign up for group fitness classes
From aquafit to Zumba to strength training, there are tons of group fitness classes available at gyms, recreation centres and pools across the country. They’re usually led by certified instructors who can correct your form to lower your risk of injury. It’s important to check an instructor’s qualifications before enrolling in a class and to pick times you can stick to. If you’re typically exhausted after a long workday and don’t have the energy to exercise, register for a class scheduled before work or during your lunch break. Make the activity work for you!
4. Join a local recreational sport team or league
Whether it’s tennis, dodgeball, wheelchair basketball or disc golf, there are many adult recreational sport teams and leagues offered in cities, towns and post-secondary schools across the country. Here are some websites that list adult recreational leagues and clubs in every province and territory:
5. Start your own active group
Can’t find an active group with shared interests? No worries – you can always start your own on platforms like Nextdoor, Meetup, or Facebook, and/or a group text message chat. Ask your family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers and neighbours to join and/or spread the word, and before you know it, you’ll be the leader of your own active squad!
As you can see, there are many ways to connect with active people who are working towards a common goal, motivating each other and enhancing camaraderie. Whether it’s a virtual community, group fitness class or local sport league, your active crew awaits! For more inspiration and tips, check out these other blog posts and webpages:
- Achieving goals: Why those around you are your secret weapon to success
- 4 reasons why you should get active with your community
- How to help your community with physical activity: 5 free ways
- Dancing to reconnect with my Ukrainian culture
- Building belonging & community for newcomers through physical activity
- Connecting Indigenous girls to their culture through hockey
- Breaking down barriers to sport and physical activity for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
- Explore the benefits: Community
- Explore the benefits: Connection
