Why exercising in a group is better than working out alone: motivation, fun, community
Boot camps offer the chance to get fit with like-minded people, social and emotional support, incentives to persevere and positive reinforcement
When Alice Harbison was seven months pregnant, she attended a fitness boot camp in Happy Valley. Having just moved to Hong Kong from the UK, the 36-year-old was keen to maintain her fitness and muscle tone so she wouldn’t have any problems regaining her pre-pregnancy body after giving birth.
“My goal was to lose 10kg post-delivery,” says Harbison. “My new friends in Hong Kong suggested I try these boot-camp sessions in my neighbourhood, and from that first class I was hooked. The workouts are held three mornings a week and I get to exercise with fun and energetic people. Thanks in part to these sessions, I’ve already lost 15kg and managed to keep the weight off so far.”
“Happy Valley boot camp” was started by fitness coach Kin Ho two years ago to motivate people to exercise together. The group, which started with just eight people, currently has a membership of more than 80.
“The sessions entail working through various ‘stations’, where exercises are performed that work specific parts of the body,” says Ho. “We have male and female members of all ages, backgrounds and fitness levels. Everyone has a great time working out together and the vibe is always positive and supportive.”
When we think about losing weight, the first things that come to mind are diet and exercise. But, while these are important, we are not addressing the cause of the problem if we lack social support for our endeavour, says Damien Mouellic, an osteopath at Stanley Wellness Centre in Hong Kong.