It’s fun working out in groups – Lagos residents

Living a healthy lifestyle is essential, keeping fit is crucial, how does one ensure that one finds the time to inculcate the habit of exercising into ones’ daily or weekly activity.

Does exercising in a group have more positive effects than working out alone, our reporter on Wednesday spoke with some residents of Lagos State on their preference.

Adewunmi Bakare, an Investment Banker, told NAN that due to health reason she needed to lose weight, but she could not achieve her goal doing it alone.

“Imagine being told that you need to lose some kilograms (kg) in order to stay alive, I struggled with doing it on my own even though my life was at stake.

“But the moment a couple of my friends that live in my estate joined, I can’t begin to tell you how my life changed for better, we were all working out together regularly.

“The days my morale is low they encourage me, and as much as we can we hold one another accountable; my lifestyle has improved and I intend to maintain this,’’ she said.

Nnamdi Dikeh, told our reporter that as an individual who struggled with making friends, registering in a gym had helped him make few quality friends who helps him stay grounded.

“If I was working out alone, I wouldn’t have met the most beautiful people I know, going to the gym is like a two in one combo, you get to stay fit and live a healthier life and you met good people if you’re lucky.

“The journey to fitness is continuous and just like anybody at some point one tends to get tired, exercising can be monotonous, so having some work out buddy is important,’’ he said.

Kelechi Nwolisa, a Graphic Designer, said that the quality of the people one works out with plays a vital role, if they don’t share the same goal.

“I work out at home with my next-door neighbour and I find it interesting, before we started working out together, we barely use to talk, the way we hold each other accountable is hilarious.

“When I smell melon soup from his apartment, I’m texting him reminding him not to jeopardise our effort, when he sees me holding a nylon bag, he asks me if it’s not shawarma or burger.

“We are serious about living a healthier life and because we have a common goal, we keep at it, some of our flat-mates tried to emulate us, but they couldn’t keep up because we don’t share same goal,’’ he said.

Bidemi Sobanjo, a Make-up Artist, who shared a different opinion, said that most group workouts end up at the bar or pizza place which jeopardise the pursuit of living a healthy life.

“I know a couple of my friends that when they finish working out, they step-down with frenzy drinks and other pastries, they go there in droves, personally I work out alone, if you don’t have discipline, you can’t do that.

“I exercise thrice in a week, and I don’t miss any day, I am realistic with my goals, staying fit is a forever journey, no need to rush it, be steady and consistent,’’ she said.

Iris Okonkwo, a Gym Instructor, told NAN that it takes a different level of discipline to ensure that they exercise as much as they want on their own.

“In everything we do in life, discipline plays a vital role, discipline separate boys from men, I usually applaud those who stay fit by working out on their own, check their lives, you’d see that it’s how they are.

“It is an individual thing, but I always advice new fitness enthusiast to have people who hold them accountable within reach, it’s easy to fall off the wagon.

“Unless you have a personal trainer that comes around to train with you. I’d honestly advise that people should set realistic goals and focus, result will vary because people are different,’’ she said.