the benefits of small group classes
By Jamie Bell, Small Group Class Instructor
We’ve been asking our community what they enjoy most and what they think the number one benefit of coming to our small group classes is. Here’s what some of them had to say and why these benefits are so important:
“I love working out with the people here” 🥰
Having an exercise community can be incredibly beneficial, both for your physical health and your mental well-being. Here’s why:
Accountability: A workout community helps ensure you stay committed to your fitness routine. Knowing someone is counting on you to show up can motivate you to stick with your plans, even when you’re feeling lazy or unmotivated.
Increased Consistency: Exercising with a community encourages consistency because you’re more likely to stick to your workout schedule if others are involved.
Increased Motivation: Exercising with a community can boost your energy levels and push you to work harder. Workout buddies can cheer you on and help you push through tough exercises or challenging workouts.
Fun Factor: Working out with people you enjoy can make the experience more enjoyable. It turns a solo activity into a social one, making exercise feel less like a chore and more like something you can look forward to.
“So I don’t lose my $H1T at work” 😝
Exercise improves mood through a combination of powerful biological and psychological effects. Here’s a breakdown of the main reasons why:
Brain Chemistry Boost: the body releases endorphins, the body’s natural feeling good chemicals, as well as serotonin and dopamine, which are linked with reduced stress and anxiety.
Reduces Stress Hormones: exercise lowers cortisol, the hormone your body releases in response to stress. Less cortisol = calmer mind and body.
Improves Sleep: regular physical activity helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply—both of which are essential for mood regulation and mental clarity.
Increases Self-Esteem: seeing progress (whether in strength, stamina, or body changes) gives a confidence boost. Plus, just committing to taking care of yourself feels empowering.
In short, exercise isn’t just about the body—it’s a powerful tool for resetting the mind and lifting the spirit.
“I like how it makes me feel in a bathing suit” 👙
Exercise can make you feel better in a bathing suit for reasons that go way deeper than just physical appearance.
Toning & posture: Regular workouts can enhance muscle tone and posture, making you feel stronger and more aligned—which tends to look and feel good.
Progress = pride: Knowing you’ve been putting in the work builds a sense of accomplishment, which boosts confidence regardless of your current “end goal.”
Focus on strength, not flaws: Exercise can shift your mindset from “how do I look?” to “what can I do?”—that inner strength shows up in how you carry yourself.
Mood boost carries over: Those mood-lifting brain chemicals we talked about earlier? They also reduce self-critical thoughts and help you feel more positive overall.
So, it’s not just about the mirror—it’s about the mindset. When you feel stronger, happier, and more confident, you naturally feel better in your body, no matter what you’re wearing.
“Variety of exercise” 🤸
Variety in exercise isn’t just to keep things interesting (though that helps). It actually plays a huge role in how your body and mind benefit from physical activity. Here’s why:
Prevents Plateaus: your body adapts to the same movements over time. Mixing it up keeps your muscles challenged and helps you continue to make progress with strength, endurance, or fat loss.
Reduces Risk of Injury: repeating the same movements too often can lead to overuse injuries (like runner’s knee or tennis elbow). Variety balances the load across different muscles and joints.
Improves Overall Fitness: cardio improves your heart, lung health. Strength training builds muscle and bone density. Flexibility and mobility work (like yoga or stretching) keeps your joints healthy. Balance and agility work helps coordination and reduces fall risk—especially important as we age.
Works More Muscle Groups: Different workouts target different areas. A balanced routine ensures no muscle group gets neglected (hello, core and glutes!).
Bottom line, mixing things up makes your routine more sustainable, more effective, and more fun.
“Expert instructor” 💁
Having an expert instructor for exercise can make a huge difference in both your results and your safety. An experienced instructor ensures you’re moving correctly. Bad form—even in simple exercises—can lead to strain or injury over time. They spot imbalances or compensations you might not notice and help you correct them. Everyone’s body, goals, and limitations are different. A pro tailors workouts to your needs, whether you’re rehabbing an injury, training for an event, or just starting out. Instructors also push you past mental and physical limits in a safe way. They know when to encourage rest and when to challenge you. Rather than guessing what to do next, you get a structured, smart plan that maximizes your time and effort. An expert helps you break through plateaus and progress steadily toward your goals. A good instructor doesn’t just tell you what to do—they explain why it matters. You learn about your body, which builds long-term confidence and independence. Lastly, great instructors create a vibe that makes workouts feel good mentally and emotionally—not just physically.
If you’re interested in taking charge of your mental and physical well being with expert guidance, the small group classes at Cadence Physiotherapy can be the right place for you!
