Exercising with others may not only enhance our physical health—it can also deepen our sense of connection.

Shared experiences strengthen social bonds and reflect our “hive-like” social nature.

Being part of a group with which one strongly identifies is associated with higher well-being.

Nearly everyone knows that exercise supports both physical and mental health. It can improve heart health, reduce anxiety and stress, and enhance sleep and mood. More recently, social connection has also been recognized as a powerful contributor to well-being. But what many of us may not realize is what happens when we combine the two: exercising with others may not only enhance our physical health—it can also deepen our sense of connection.

Recent research supports this idea. Group exercise has been shown to significantly decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression and enhance overall psychological functioning. For example, a 2026 meta-analysis of nearly 80,000 participants, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, found that group exercise was associated with greater reductions in depression.

Similarly, a 2026 study of 218 college students found that participation in group exercise was linked to greater well-being. Students who engaged more frequently in group exercise reported less stress, higher confidence, and stronger coping skills.

Additionally, a 2025 Frontiers in Psychology study suggests that group fitness—whether through college team sports or community exercise classes—can reduce feelings of inferiority while naturally promoting social interaction and peer bonding.

Together, these findings serve as a reminder of the importance of engaging in physical activity with others rather than always going it alone. It’s good for our body, mind, and........

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