The Social Side of Fitness at GET'N FIT: Why Community Matters in Exercise

In a world fixated on step counts, heart rates, and body metrics, we often overlook the most powerful aspect of semi-private personal training and group fitness—the human connections formed through shared experience. While exercise statistics might track our physical progress, they can't measure the depth of community that develops when people sweat, struggle, and succeed together.

After 21 years of facilitating fitness and yoga classes at GET'N FIT in Ovid, CO. I have witnessed how the bonds formed in exercise communities often become as important to wellbeing as the physical movements themselves. Recently, I sat down with Neal, Sue, and Marcia—members who have been exercising together for over a decade—to understand what keeps them coming back beyond the physical benefits.

More Than Just Accountability

When we think about exercise partners, "accountability" often comes to mind first. Indeed, knowing others expect you to show up creates powerful external motivation. As Marcia explained, having that scheduled commitment helps "form the habit and maintain the habit," making fitness a consistent part of life rather than an occasional activity.

For Neal, this accountability creates essential structure in retirement: "It's pretty easy if you don't come in here, you could sit on the couch till 10 o'clock and drink coffee, or knowing you have an appointment/yoga class to get to, you drink coffee till 6:30am and then get ready to go, and we're at GET’N FIT by 7, the day has started, and we’re ready to tackle that days to do’s."

But what begins as simple accountability often evolves into something much deeper.

A Constant During Life's Uncertainties

Over two decades, every long-term member has experienced personal challenges—health crises, family losses, major life transitions. During these periods, the fitness community often becomes an anchor of normalcy.

For Marcia, who lived 2.5 hours away helping her parents during the pandemic, online workouts and yoga classes became her "only social" connection. "When things get chaotic in life, this one hour of exercise or yoga helps keep things more normal," she shared, describing it as "an hour of normal" amid the uncertainty.

These connections become particularly vital when members face serious health challenges. One member, Reene, continues attending classes while managing fibromyalgia. She draws inspiration from another member, Karen, who maintained her yoga practice throughout cancer treatment before succumbing to the disease. Reene says, “she's my hero, I think of her every day as my inspiration to keep going,” illustrating how inspiration ripples through the community in unexpected ways.

Empowerment Through Shared Experience

Unlike competitive fitness environments, this community operates on mutual support rather than comparison. As Sue put it, "I think competition with each other is the very last thing it's about."

Instead, the focus shifts to empowering one another. Long-term members often help newer participants navigate challenging exercises by sharing insights from their own learning journeys. This mentorship creates a continuous cycle of growth and support that benefits everyone involved.

Perhaps most importantly, members find permission to prioritize their own wellbeing. The studio becomes "a place to hide" from external demands—a sanctuary where self-care takes center stage. Our members have  noted that, "It shouldn't be that hard, but sometimes it is" to carve out time for oneself amid life's competing responsibilities.

Benefits Beyond the Physical

While improved strength, balance, and flexibility are measurable outcomes, members consistently emphasize the less tangible benefits: saying “We don't come here just for the physical. It's mental. It's heart health. Mind health”.

For many, the greatest transformation happens internally. As Sue expressed, "The empowerment that probably is most important to me is me... I can help myself more." Sue added that it helps "find your own strength within yourself, and recognize that you even have it."

This self-discovery happens in the community, as members witness others navigating similar challenges. Seeing others persist through difficulty—whether a challenging pose or a health setback—provides perspective and inspiration that extends far beyond the studio walls.

Exercise for the Brain: The Cognitive Benefits of Community Fitness, Mental Stimulation Through Social Interaction 

While most people understand that physical activity benefits the body, the cognitive advantages of exercising in a group setting are equally impressive yet often overlooked.  As I recently learned at a neurology appointment with my mom it is important to have conversations with people who are not part of your immediate family or friend group.  We also learned at this appointment that being by yourself more than with and around others is a real detriment to our cognitive function.  

Every time our members gather for a class or semi-private training session, their brains engage in a complex workout alongside their bodies, as well as being around people they may not otherwise interact with. Each session has a component of constant adjustment. Figuring out where to position yourself, following instructions while maintaining awareness of others, and engaging in conversation.  These aspects of small and large group exercise creates rich neural stimulation.

The social chats and friendly banter that happen before, during, and after workouts aren't just pleasant extras—they're actively contributing to brain health. These interactions trigger the release of feel-good hormones that create a calmer state of mind and sharper cognition. The sense of belonging that develops over time creates a positive feedback loop, where members look forward to both the movement and the connection.

Counteracting the Effects of Stress on the Brain

Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels are known to negatively impact brain function and memory. The community aspect of group exercise provides a powerful antidote. A training session at GET'N FIT is a break from external demands, which turns each session into a cortisol-reducing sanctuary that protects cognitive function.

Research consistently shows that social connection helps regulate stress hormones. Combined with the stress-reducing effects of physical movement, group exercise creates an optimal environment for preserving and enhancing brain health—particularly important as we age.

Prevention of Cognitive Decline

Perhaps most significantly for our aging members, regular engagement in both physical activity and social interaction helps maintain cognitive function over time. Isolation has been identified as a significant contributor to cognitive decline, while regular social engagement keeps the brain active and responsive.

The synergy created when movement and connection happen simultaneously cannot be underestimated. Our members know that movement heals, but connection awakens and both are needed for healthy aging. When we move together, we create conditions where our brains can thrive alongside our bodies, regardless of age or physical ability.

Creating Space for Individual Success

As an Instructor & Coach, my role in fostering this community involves ensuring each person feels successful within their individual capabilities. This means as Marcia stated so succinctly, “helping everyone grasp what the exercise is supposed to do and the intent” while providing modifications that accommodate different needs and abilities.

Even after 20 years, members acknowledged that walking through the door can sometimes feel difficult. The practice teaches them to honor wherever they are on a given day—sometimes energetic, sometimes struggling—and trust that showing up is enough.

This acceptance creates space for authentic connection that acknowledges our shared humanity. These members specifically noted about yoga practice, that it gives them something they can "take with you when you leave"—both the physical techniques and the mindset of self-compassion.

The Lasting Impact

What begins as a pursuit of physical fitness often evolves into a profound source of community, perspective, and personal growth. With aging and moving into retirement years it can be easy to become increasingly isolated from society, these connections formed in the studio provide a crucial counterbalance—a place where people are seen, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

The message from these long-term members is clear: while exercise strengthens the body, it's the community that sustains the spirit. And that might be the most important health benefit of all.