The concept of group exercise is certainly not a new one. Traditional eastern practices like yoga and tai chi have been taught and practiced in this way for millennia - indeed, you can still see public tai chi sessions in almost every Chinese park.
In the west we have extended the concept of group exercise to include all sorts of activities. This includes not just workout classes, but a whole range of activities, such as:
Running clubs: Whether it's just a group of mates meeting up on a Sunday morning, or a long established club, running with other people is popular all over the world.
Cycling: Cycling is a natural form of group exercise, with cyclists sharing routes and conversation as the miles roll by beneath their wheels. This has now been taken indoors, with the growing popularity of spinning classes
Martial Arts: For sports such as judo and karate, working together is essential, allowing students to learn from the more experienced, and offering the chance to put their skills into practice by
sparring with one another.
Workout Classes: Go to any gym or health club in the country and you'll find a program of workout classes, from core sessions to boxercise.
So what is it that makes us want to work out with others? First and foremost we are social animals - we like to be around other people.
In addition, working out together allows us to compare ourselves with others, resulting in, inevitably, a better, more demanding workout.