No Man Left Behind: Group exercise and Men at The Barn KT9

It’s International Men’s Day next week. To celebrate the physical and mental benefits of group training for men, we’re putting on some extra M.F.T classes on 19th Nov at 6.30 & 7.30pm where Gents come for FREE (ladies you're welcome too, just book your spots as normal, men use MANUPLIFT at checkout for your free spot!)

They’ll be run by David Thomas (FMBPsS), a performance coach and gym founder with 20 years of experience, so we asked him to write a few words about why guys should come along to these and the rest of our classes at The Barn KT9.

Research reports that group exercise is good for you and can outperform training on your own. Training with others increases exercise adherence and results, lowers stress, and improves your mental well-being.

As a misanthropic Northerner, I despise most of my friends, so training with them sounds awful. But then again, I am a man. 

And this is the part of these studies that always grabs my attention. In the UK, there are around three to four times as many female participants in group classes as males. However, the gender split of gym memberships is close to 50/50. That’s a lot of ear-plugged men scrolling on their phones alone in the weights room.

So, what exactly are these guys missing out on?

Firstly, having a coach is noticeably more effective than going it alone or even with a friend, and coached group training is more cost-effective than other proven coaching methods like personal training. This makes it a more sustainable option for many people, combining the benefits of tailored coaching with the positive effects of a shared exercise environment. In my 20 years of lying, saying, “Just two more reps”, I’ve noticed that when solo clients become sufficiently educated, are moving well and have increased their confidence, training with others is often the most effective next step to creating a sustainable fitness routine.

A major reason for this is motivation. I ran a study (under review) demonstrating that group training encourages support and healthy competition. One reason for this is the Köhler effect, the psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person works harder as a group member than when working alone.

Finally, group exercise is just really fun. Running, cycling, and hiking are a great escape when we need solitude and time to reflect. However, an upbeat group class with exercise variety and friendly faces has additional benefits. People produce significantly more endorphins (the feel-good hormone) when they share the torture.

So, if group exercise is so great, why do so many men avoid it?

There isn’t much scholarly research on the topic, so it’s tempting to make assumptions:

• Men think group exercise is stuck in the 1970s and 1980s, with big hair, bad music, fluorescent outfits, and more steps than the Macarena.

• Men are arrogant and think they know best how to get in shape.

• Men hate the idea of making a fool of themselves, especially in front of a room full of women.

Anecdotally, some of this might be true. I know I had all those thoughts on occasion as a younger man. Stigma clearly plays a significant role. The pervasive macho culture in fitness can create a barrier, projecting an image that to be part of the gym scene, you need to be part of the ‘big boys’ club’. This stereotype can deter men who feel they don’t fit this narrow definition of masculinity. Moreover, the stigma around men participating in certain types of exercise that aren’t deemed ‘manly’, like yoga or Pilates, or which are choreographed to music, adds another barrier. It’s not just about feeling out of place; it’s about not wanting to be judged.

But I also suspect there may be some deeper reasons at play. Namely, modern gym culture and intimidation.

Today's gyms tend to be big (and, dare I say, soulless) places. They rely on signing up thousands of members to cover their baselines rather than propagating a small, loyal base like The Barn. As a result, the community aspect of the bodybuilding gyms of yesteryear, where men knew and supported each other, has been lost. Men are often isolated in their fitness journeys. They've grown accustomed to the lone wolf approach.

Intimidation affects men, too. Not just the anxiety of being judged by others but the internal narrative we create for ourselves. Walking into a fitness class where it feels like everyone knows each other and knows exactly what they’re doing can be daunting and leave us feeling isolated.

This is where smaller, community-focused gyms like The Barn KT9 make a difference. You’re not just another subscription fee; you are part of a community that values growth and support, and there is zero judgment! Additionally, you won’t find any aerobics on the timetable here. Given we’re a gym on a farm, it only made sense that we had a class called Modified Farmer Training (M.F.T). Based on Strongman Training, you can expect to lift, pull, push and drag like the world’s strongest men, with a rural twist. We utilise various modified farming equipment such as yokes, ropes, farmers’ walks, and other bespoke bits of kit to keep workouts authentic, fun, and in tribute to our farming heritage.

So, gentleman gym-goers. If you’re still not entirely convinced to give group training a go, I’ve got a simple strategy to suggest. Grab some mates, channel your inner farmer and grab a free spot on one of our International Men’s Day Classes on 19th Nov at 6.30 & 7.30pm to spend an evening chucking stuff about on a farm to 80s rock anthems. I promise it beats waiting for that guy to finally stop curling in the squat rack.

Don't forget that Traction, M.F.T, Yoga and Saturday UpLifted in the Hangar are also mixed classes