How to Start an Exercise Group

Even though we know exercise is good for our health and can help us look our best, many of us struggle just to drag ourselves off the couch to find the remote control. Others start exercising with the best intentions, but find it to be a lonely undertaking. If you fall into either of these categories, you might benefit from the camaraderie and support that can be found in an exercise group, which can foster good health, self-esteem, friendships and a toned, fit body.

Things You'll Need

• Exercise facility
• Exercise DVDs
• Flyers

Instructions

1. Decide what type of exercise you want to do. Walking, running, low impact aerobics, high impact aerobics, calisthenics, weight training, tai chi and yoga will require different levels of fitness and will attract different participants.

2. Determine your own fitness level, as you will want this to be the starting point for the group. If you haven’t exercised in years, you don’t want to attract people who are ready to start out running five miles a day or doing an hour of high impact aerobics. Be realistic.

3. Find a location suitable for the needs of the group. If the group will be running or walking, you’ll need to find a trail or track at a park, playground or university. If you’ve decided on an indoor exercise regimen, approach the YMCA or other community center about using a space in their facility. Ask permission to use the cafeteria where you work, or ask a school if they allow community groups to use the gym after hours. In any case, find a location close enough to your residence or workplace so that you won’t be able to use distance as an excuse to skip sessions.

4. If you’ve decided you want to do aerobics, yoga or another type of exercise that requires a leader, rent a selection of instructional DVDs that demonstrate workouts of that type. Watch them and choose a couple that are your speed.” Be sure to select ones that show participants working out at various levels, because there will always be some group members a little more or less advanced than others.

5. Get the word out. Tell everyone you know what you’re trying to do. If you work for a large company, consider the possibility of starting an exercise group in that setting. Create a flyer to raise awareness and get permission to post it throughout the building.If starting a group where you work is not an option, post flyers in the vicinity of the location where the group will exercise. Call your local paper and ask them to mention it in the Community Events or Meetings section.

6. Make the first meeting a getting-to-know-you and information gathering session. Discuss how often and what time the group will meet. Serve light refreshments, such as coffee, bottled water and juice. You may want to play the DVDs you’ve selected and get some feedback from the participants. Some of them may also have favorites that could be considered for the group’s use as well.

7. Get to work! As the informal leader of the group, you should try to keep your enthusiasm high to set a good example. Moaning and groaning is not good for the group's morale.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for lots of input from the group. This will increase their level of commitment.

• Hold a vote to decide when to change the routine. You don't want participants to get bored.

• If the group is small, ask each participant to try to recruit one friend, relative or co-worker to come to the next session.