We all know exercise is great for your health, but a new study shows that there is one type of exercise that will improve your mental health the most.
A new study by the Journal of Lancet Psychiatry found that group fitness classes helps with your overall mental health, more than solo exercises.
Thomas Obershaw not only takes group fitness classes, but he also teaches them. He goes to Transform Colorado to take their Lagree Fitness classes. He not only gets a killer workout in, but he says a group setting gives him the motivation to put in the hard work.
"I love group fitness so much, because I do believe there is power in numbers," says Obershaw.
Life can be stressful. Work can get in the way of a lot of things, including spending time with people. That's one of the reasons Obershaw loves to workout with others, because he doesn't want to feel isolated.
"When you show up to a group fitness class, and you see everyone around you struggling, you don't feel alone," says Obershaw.
The recent study also found those who exercise between 30 to 60 minutes a day have the best mental health.
"When you show up and get to release all this stress and strife of everyday life, that's in your head, this monkey brain you have all day," says Obershaw. "When you get to forget about that for 45 minutes, it does something to you chemically and physically."
The study also found those who participated in group activities had one less poor mental health day a month and felt a 43 percent improvement mentally.
If you're looking to get the most out of your group exercise, team sports were rated number one for having the most mental health benefits. Another, popular group fitness class is cycling. They say the high intensity cardio mixed with motivation also gave great results.
"It's easy to stay in bed, lay in bed, but exercise releases endorphins," Obershaw says. "It's science; when you release those endorphins that's great for your mind and it's great for your psyche."
Whether you enjoy group fitness or not, it is scientifically proven the more you exercise, the greater the benefit.
