“Set your intentions for class. Say hello to your neighbors,” the instructor commands as Helena Haines (12) pivots towards the chatter around her. After a quick exchange, she steps onto her mat and settles in, waiting for music to erupt from the speakers. Seconds later, colorful lights pulse with the beat. As the room snaps into motion, Haines and the rest of the eager bodies move together as one. Haines, a frequent workout class attendee, has found a strong difference between the environment of group workouts and individual ones. When working out alone, motivation and effort have to come from within. However, in a group class, that effort is shared and built through the energy within the room. Haines finds that the physical demands of the class are no match for the mental hurdle of simply taking the step to show up.  

“The discipline of going back every day [is a challenge] because it can be hard with a busy schedule,” Haines said. “Planning out when you’re going to do it is helpful in sticking to your plan, because the actual workout isn’t as hard as actually making yourself go.”

Haines originally joined workout classes for the exercise, yet her consistency has been shaped by something else: the connections she has built around classes. Smiles from friends met in class and shared routines with other members have become a central reason she shows up. 

“I feel like the connections I’ve made within the classes really stick out to me,” Haines said. “Meeting the instructors, learning each other’s names, seeing them every week, and just even having a little five-minute conversation brings your mood up, and makes you feel better before you go into your workout or even after. I love all the people I see there rather than just going to the gym by myself and not really talking to anyone.”

Haines is not alone in her love for workout classes. In fact, in recent years, there has been a boom in group workout class popularity, such as HIIT, Barre, Pilates and yoga. Even local studios are seeing these patterns, like Barre3 owner and Barre instructor Melissa Stolze. She confirmed these recent trends in her studio, including increased engagement from the younger generation. 

“We have seen a 20% increase in enrollments year-over-year as group fitness continues to gain traction,” Stolze said. “We are seeing a shift where younger generations view these classes as a consistent part of their lifestyle. For example, we have several mother-daughter duos working out together, and my 17-year-old daughter even works at the studio and loves taking classes.” 

The popularity of group workout classes is not simply due to the movements during class, but rather a strong combination of physical intensity and environment. For Anya Calfee (11), the community built around the class fosters a supportive but competitive environment. 

“I definitely think more about what I’m doing [during class] and probably push myself harder because I don’t want to be the only one in there that can’t do something,” Calfee said.

Dance Marathon is a club focused on raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Although the club has no connection to exercise, they have seen the community and support built around these classes and choose to use them as fundraising and team-building events. 

“With all of my friends from Dance Marathon at the class, it was a fun vibe because we knew we were getting a good workout in for a great cause,” Dance Marathon executive board member Gabe Fields (12) said.