When it comes to fitness, do you find that you are a loner or a groupie? Do you prefer to work out solo, alone to detox in your own thoughts. Or do you find energy working out with friends in a group?
In my youth, I prided myself in being an extrovert. I thrived on the energy of being around people. I loved being around others and found my boost being a groupie.
As I have gotten older, and I have very little time spent to be alone, I must admit I am becoming a bit of an introvert. I need my alone time to recharge my batteries. I am always around little people (and some big people), so being alone is what I crave.
Which brings me to my question:
Are you a loner or a groupie when it comes to fitness?
Do you enjoy running solo alone on the trails? Do you bust out a hardcore strength workout while shutting out the outside world by blasting your music through your yurbuds?
Or
Do you feel recharged and energized working out with a group? Whether you are joining a mommy and me boot camp class, a group class at your local gym, or even an intense crossfit workout… together with others is your thing. Do you find that you are more motivated and challenged when you are working with others?
I find that I am a mixture of both. It all depends on the day and type of workout that I need to get done. If I have had a busy, stressful, and particularly noisy few days… I crave, need, and desire a quiet solo long run on the trail. However, if I want to work out but am not in the mood to mentally push myself to go hard, I need to workout in a group setting.
I think there can be a healthy mix of being a loner and a groupie with fitness. Some of my best and most intense workouts were with a group. Yet, there are days when I know what I want to accomplish and just being alone with my music and my own agenda really ramps me up!
Megan says
I have only worked out in a group a handful of times, but it’s because I prefer not not be distracted. I feel like I’m on a mission. Being with the Littles really does warrant alone time some days.
Rachel says
Yes! I find that I am often distracted when I work out in a group setting. I compare myself to the physique of the woman in front of me, compete with the person behind me or even wishing the person next to me would wear deodorant! LOL
Charlotte says
I think I’m a mixture of the two. Honestly, it depends what KIND of fitness. When it comes to running I am a total loner. I prefer to run alone than with friends. Don’t get me wrong I love to start a race with friends, but after about a mile or 2 I’m ready to go our separate ways. Part of this is guilt that I think I’m slowing them down. Part of it is focus. I can’t focus when they’re chatting my ear off.
When it comes to yoga, pilates etc etc. i LOVE a group. Sharing others energy can really help get me through a strong workout sometimes 🙂
Rachel says
I totally TOTALLY agree with you!! I love running with friends on a long slow day… but if I am racing I need to do my own ‘thang’ after a few miles. 🙂
Christy says
I am a complete loner when it comes to fitness. I get super annoyed when the yackers try to distract me with their talking. I like group fitness though. I suppose because it is more focused and people aren’t able to talk with an instructor around.
Rachel says
I agree. I even am not a huge fan of racing because of all the people running near me (breathing, different cadences with their running, etc). I do find that it varies with my mood… but I totally am a loner with fitness too 🙂
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
I definitely think that I’m a bit of both and that it depends on the workout. Things like running or lifting – I tend to like doing those on my own but I love certain group classes like spin or yoga. In those instances, the energy in the helps push me a little bit further.
Rachel says
Yes. I agree. Sometimes the energy of working out with others is just the push that it needed to get a good workout in. 🙂
The Get in Shape Girl says
Definitely a groupie, but it has to be the right group. Prior to Crossfit the thought of group exercise (i.e. aerobics classes) made me want to puke. No thank you. But now that I’m Crossfitting I love working out with a group of people who are stronger than me, faster than me and have the same goals as me: to get stronger and faster! It’s awesome to have people around to push me via competition and reward me for doing my best.
Rachel says
Yes! I think crossfit has the BEST community for group workouts. When you are all working together to finish a WOD everyone has a similar goal and cheers each other on. Even though it is an independent workout… the reward is shared and applauded by the group. I think that is what makes crossfit such a success and unique. (I love crossfit).
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
I really do like both aspects. There are some days when I just want to be alone and will crank out a really hard workout on the elliptical with my headphones blasting. Other days, I’ll do a group spin, yoga or run with my group. It all depends on my mood!
Rachel says
I totally agree! 🙂
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
I’m more of a fitness loner since I like it as my own personal time. But I do love the occasional group run or spin class! Plus, I feel I get a lot of the motivation that comes from groups through things like social media. 🙂
Rachel says
Oooh good point. I forgot about the social media being a ‘group’ motivator. Even when I workout solo (loner) I want to share my achievement with my “group” – social media. 🙂
Coco says
I’m a loner, mostly because of my schedule. When I do get a chance to try a gym class or run with a friend, I enjoy it, but mostly I like to get my sweat on and get on with my day. 😉
Rachel says
Get in and get out! I like it 🙂
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness says
I’m a little of both. Love the me alone time but I also enjoy the energy and motivation of a group. If I had to choose between the 2 it would be a loner.
Rachel says
I agree, the energy and motivation of a group can totally make the workout fun!
Kierston says
I am a mixture of both! Like you said, there can definitely be a healthy mix between the two 🙂
Rachel says
Yes!! 🙂
Elle says
I am a mixture too. I like to do indoor workouts with a DVD or trainer – loving Tamara Grand’s (fitknitchick) workalong vids right now. But I don’t want to exercise in a class setting anymore.
Rachel says
Oh, I need to check out Tamara’s video workouts!! It sounds like fun! 🙂
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) says
Definitely more of a loner. Not on purpose, but it is a lot easy to get my fitness in when it scheduled on my own terms. I do coach a running clinic a couple times a week, so that helps keep me social haha
Meredith @ Dare You To says
Like you, I think I am a mix of both. I absolutely LOVE group fitness classes, but sometimes I just need a solo run or whatnot. Depends on my day and mood, as you say. Balance wins, always 🙂
Rachel says
Yes! Balance wins, always! 🙂
misszippy1 says
I’m like you–a bit of both. I love my runs w/ friends (especially long runs) but I also appreciate my solo time. I do about 50/50 over the average week.
Rachel says
I am the same way. I think (for me) it all depends on my mood and motivation level for the day.
Anna says
I am definitely a loner. Somedays, I’d like to join in a class at my gym, but then I remember how uncoordinated I am! I’ve tried working out with friends and running with them, too, but for the most part, if I want to get a serious workout in, I want to do it on my own. I’d rather socialize minus the sweat!
Rachel says
Yes!! One of my biggest pet peeves is when I see people ‘working out’ during a ‘class’ and they haven’t even broke a sweat because they are too busy conversing with their friends. #sigh
I too would much rather sit with friends to catch up over coffee.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says
I’m a bit of both too. Although I teach group exercise, except for yoga, I don’t really enjoy classes. I used to run with a group from our running club, but now I prefer running either alone (with my dog) or with my husband. I do miss running with a girlfriend (don’t know if that counts as a group!), but my early running hours makes that a rare occurrence.
Rachel says
I think running WITH a friend totally counts as a ‘group’ because you are not alone. 🙂
Andrian says
I am definitely a loner in most cases. I love running alone because it gives me time to think and meditate/pray. I jam out on my yurbuds too. (They are the best invention EVER!) I enjoy taking group classes for yoga or spinning but I just don’t have the time to take them. I love running races though because it allows me to run in a group anonymously yet I can still challenge myself. Secretly I really want to get a dog so it can be my running buddy. 🙂
Rachel says
I TOTALLY agree!! And yes… I am a huge fan of the Yurbuds too! 🙂
Lea @ Running For Dummies says
I am definitely a work-out loner! I like to work-out with close friends sometimes, but the bulk of my work-outs are by myself. I prefer it that way!
Rachel says
When you work out alone, are you in a zone? Like a “do not disturb me” vibe? 🙂
Carli says
I’d also say both. If I’m lifting weights I prefer to be left alone. But I also enjoy a great Zumba class. I’ve been trying to fi d a running group by my house because I thougt I’d enjoy that but there are none.
Rachel says
I think you can start your own running group. There many ways to start your own running chapter locally to you. Let me know if this interests you, and I can see if I can send you the links. 🙂
Carli says
My concern is that I’m so slow that it won’t be fun for others. I need a group of all newbies!
Rachel says
hAHA!! One day you will be smokin fast!! Keep up with it!! 🙂
Tara Burner says
total loner here
Rachel says
Hugs!! BUT… you get it done! 🙂
Amanda @ Run Principessa says
I’m a mixture of both too. When I’m running, I would love anybody that comes up to me and talks to me for a mile or two. When I’m in the gym though, I need to be left alone. For some reason my tolerance goes down there!!
Rachel says
I am TOTALLY with you! Sometimes when people talk to me at the gym, I lose all focus, motivation and drive. It is like the conversation sucked it out of me. When I go to the gym… I am all business (no pleasure). 😉
Pavement Runner says
BOTH, like you. I have some great runs going solo, but on longer runs I’ll use the energy of others in the group.
Rachel says
And you use that energy from the people (during races) to help push you forward to SPEED (good luck on your upcoming race and 4:00 finish!!)
Danielle @ itsaharleyyylife says
I’m not a big fan of group workouts unless i really know the people. I’m more of a loner i guss
Rachel says
Danielle, have you ever tried crossfit? That is the ultimate group workout (that I think many would enjoy). #justcurious