The Philadelphia Inquirer: Why Group Exercise Is So Effective: The Psychology Behind Working Out With Others

The psychology behind why it’s so much harder to do 20 burpees when you’re alone versus in a group is fundamental to how humans relate. Group exercise leads to bonds that actually enhance exercise ability, according to a 2015 study by researchers at the University of Oxford. It also fosters competition, which can be an even stronger motivator, according to a 2016 study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.

It’s why boot camps and fitness studios emphasize working as a group — SoulCycle, for example, found success by turning a solitary activity into group sessions so trendy and motivational that participants pay upward of $32 for an hour on a stationary bike.”