We are now partway through 2023, and like many people, you may have made a goal this year to exercise more. Maybe you've consistently made it to the gym or workout, and everything is going great (amazing! 💪). However, if you are one of the 36% who aren't successful in keeping your resolution, Gymber's goal is to make you healthier and happier. Working out with a partner or in groups has been shown to help people get fit and keep to their exercise programs. One study found that among participants in a weight loss program, 95% completed the program with friends, compared to 76% who did the program alone.

Feltz, Deborah & Kerr, Norbert & Irwin, Brandon. (2011)

People who work out with partners or in groups also push themselves harder, and this is due to something called the Köhler Effect. The Köhler Effect is the theory that no one wants to be the weakest link in a group. The Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology examined how true this effect is. They tested participants doing planks alone and with a partner whose performance was manipulated to do better. When participants exercised with their more capable counterparts, they performed 24% better. Other studies have also shown that working out with a partner or team will increase workout time, sometimes doubling it.

Exercising in groups can also affect your mental health. We release endorphins when we exercise, giving us a mood boost. However, working out in a group adds an extra dimension to this. We also increase endorphin levels by smiling. So working out in a group of happy and energised partners will make you feel better.

Another benefit of exercising with others is the ability to diversify your workout. With a partner, you can do more exercises, including ones involving a partner. As well, you can share knowledge about different exercises. Working out in a group also provides support when you feel like you're struggling. The accountability of others relying on you to show up gives you that extra boost of motivation needed to make it to your workout.

So, how can Gymber help? Gymber is a fun and easy-to-use platform that connects people in the real world to increase their mental and physical health. By creating or joining events, making friends, and finding more ways to become active, Gymber can help you create the support system you need to continue exercising.

Working out with a partner or in groups can motivate you to continue crushing your goals or get back on them. The effects of exercising with others are a proven way to be happy and healthier.

Written by Shandy Tighe

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https://discoverhappyhabits.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/

Wing RR, Jeffery RW. Benefits of recruiting participants with friends and increasing social support for weight loss and maintenance. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10028217/

Feltz, Deborah & Kerr, Norbert & Irwin, Brandon. (2011). Buddy Up: The Kohler Effect Applied to Health Games. Journal of sport & exercise psychology. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51539278_Buddy_Up_The_Kohler_Effect_Applied_to_Health_Games