You may get a kick and much more benefit out of exercising with a person your own age.

So say Canadian researchers, whose study backs up the belief that exercising in a group is highly motivating and can encourage you to stay physically active throughout your life.

In fact, Dr. Mark Beauchamp, a researcher in the University of British Columbia's School of Human Kinetics in Vancouver,  found that if given a choice of exercising alone, with people younger or older, or with people their same age, most adults would rather exercise with others their own age.

The "Spandex-clad ideal" associated with the younger set just may intimidate older people, he said.

"The findings provide useful insight into the preferences of older exercisers, which in turn have important implications for exercise promotion initiatives in communities around the world," Beauchamp said.

Own age over younger
 
In their project, Beauchamp and colleagues first grouped 947 adults between 30 and 91 according to their age brackets and asked them whether they were regularly active for at least 20 minutes a day, three times a week.

Then, they were asked to rate whether they prefer to exercise alone, with groups of people in different age brackets, or with those who are the same age. 

Thirtysomethings and 40-somethings said they didn't mind working out with 20somethings, but it's a different story for people 50 and up, according to the findings.

Despite previous research that suggested older adults prefer to exercise alone, Beauchamp found that although they  may say exercising with much younger folks isn't appealing,  exercising with those of their own age fits the bill.

Furthermore, participants did not report a greater preference for exercising alone.

Because of his findings, Beauchamp encouraged communities to better promote physically active lifestyles and group-exercise opportunities.

While his experience shows there is no single type of activity program that will work for all adults, Dr. Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, a kinesiology expert at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said the study confirms group exercise is highly motivating, but a diverse menu of activity options is critical.

"These opportunities should include both traditional exercise programs as well as building more activity into everyday life through walking, biking and dancing," Chodzko-Zajko said.

Dr. Barbara Resnick, an exercise expert at the University of Maryland, said the study shows that providing the right environment is key to getting older adults to become more active.

"There are many individuals who enjoy exercising with others, and surveys have confirmed that they enjoy exercising in formats which are Spandex-free and among others their own age and ability level," Resnick said.

The 'buddy system'

Beauchamp's study backs up what fitness experts have preached for years: people who work out in pairs stick to their routines and lose the most weight compared to others who go it alone.

The President's Council on Physical Fitness advises people to find an exercise buddy or two, or even a small group of people who are on your same physical level and whom you enjoy being around.

Chiefly, working out with a buddy allows both people to motivate and hold accountable one another to stay physically active.

Exercising with somebody else also breaks up the monotony of exercise, and seemingly makes the time spent walking, jogging, biking or engaging in another activity pass by quicker, the experts added.

Besides, exercising with a friend means you're associating with a person who puts a high premium on getting and staying in shape, said Panteleimon Ekkekakis, an exercise expert at Iowa State University.

Ekkekakis said we should surround ourselves with positive role models, since people who are surrounded by images of sedentary or unhealthy living will tend to emulate that lifestyle.

Fun for older adults

In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine says that group training also is the best way to make fitness fun for adults 65 and over.

"Group training classes can be a fun, motivating way for older adults to stick with a fitness routine," said Rodney Corn, a fitness expert, at the 11th annual Health & Fitness Summit & Exposition in Dallas. "Also, many prevalent chronic health conditions can be eased or eliminated through regular exercise."

Group training could include everything from step aerobics to weight training, with varying skills levels, he added.

In addition to physical benefits, Corn said group training brings older adults psychological and social benefits, such as a heightened sense of well being, companionship with fellow trainers, and a feeling of independence.

For more information

•  10 Tips to Starting a Fitness Program

•  5 Ways to Keep Your Exercises Lively

•  Running Alone? Buddy System Maxes Brain Benefits

This article includes information from the Associated Press. 

Source: Health Behavior News Service
Reference: Annals of Behavioral Medicine

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