It’s 7:26 a.m. Monday. Normally, he would still be sound asleep. But today, thanks to my early-rising roommate, I managed to attend John McNamara’s HIIT class at 7:30am. Stifling a few yawns, I looked around and noticed that the others were already perked up and ready to move. From dumbbell raises to back lunges, the rhythm of the class began to energize me, shaking off my grogginess and fueling my newfound motivation.
After the class ended, I couldn’t help but wonder. What drives people to attend this class every morning? For many people, it’s an everyday thing. John said: “I know a lot of the people here. A lot of people come back every day. I just try to give them a challenging full-body workout. They want to get that energy and good mood. ”For these regulars, this class is more than just fitness, it’s a way to start the day feeling energized and refreshed.
And it’s not just Pennsylvania. This sense of community and shared energy is a reminder of something bigger: the growth of fitness culture. Group fitness has evolved beyond just exercise. It has evolved into a lifestyle, a habit as natural as drinking coffee in the morning or turning on the radio in the car.
Let’s take SoulCycle as an example. More than just a spin class, its energy and atmosphere create a sense of belonging that has earned it a cult-like following. People don’t just come to work out, they come to have a communal experience, to motivate others and feel connected. In many ways, John’s HIIT class felt like a smaller version of this phenomenon.
Later in the week, I decided to try a mat Pilates class at Potluck with yoga instructor Elona Kanaj. I myself was caught up in the at-home workout trend due to COVID-19, so I wasn’t new to mat Pilates. In fact, I also took a course that taught Pilates, but I still found myself drawn to instructor-led group fitness classes. After countless virtual sessions with Chloe Ting and Sami Clark, I started wondering. How is this in-person class different from an at-home workout you do in your living room on your own yoga mat?
Maybe we just want more than a yoga mat and a YouTube video. The recent rise in popularity of boutique fitness studios like Barry’s Bootcamp, Pure Barre, and Orange Theory has turned fitness into a cultural movement where community and exclusivity are part of the appeal. These classes may look great, but they are often not very accessible. The cost per class can be prohibitive, with many studios charging upwards of $30 per session. Additionally, most of these studios are concentrated in large cities, making it difficult for suburban and rural people to participate, limiting the reach of these fitness communities.
But despite the accessibility barrier, these classes offer something you can’t get from home training: a sense of responsibility and camaraderie. My Matt’s neighbor, second-year medical student Kathy Tian, echoed this idea. “I definitely think I can do this at home, but I feel more motivated here and more responsible because everyone around me is doing it as well.”
This shared energy and sense of community elevates group classes beyond what is possible at home, creating an environment where you can not only train, but be inspired by those around you. In a 2015 study by the University of Oxford, researchers found that group fitness creates social bonds, which promotes improved athletic performance. Similarly, a 2019 study by Penn State University found that working out in a group led to higher levels of enjoyment and physical performance, which ultimately led to more positive emotional responses related to exercise. found out by researchers.
The atmosphere of shared focus and effort encouraged me to work harder than I could on my own. Elona herself understands this dynamic well. When I asked her about her goals for her students, she said: That confidence can start mentally, or it can start in your body and then grow, connecting your mind and body, making you feel stronger and more empowered. My hope is that people take my classes and leave feeling confident and energized, ready to start or continue their day with a sense of strength and empowerment. . ”
The power of group fitness is something that has become almost a cultural phenomenon in itself. Whether it’s the near-religious devotion of SoulCycle enthusiasts or the community-building efforts of boutique fitness studios, these spaces are more than just places to sweat, they’re hubs for connection, motivation, and shared experiences. The rise of these communities speaks to a deeper human need for social interaction and mutual support, which virtual workouts, while convenient, often cannot replicate. As I’ve learned, the best part about attending classes is not just the physical, but the sense of community you get on the way home. If you’re looking to improve your athletic performance or find a sense of community, Pottrak’s fitness classes may be the place for you.
