It helps us work harder

“Working out as part of a group can boost your commitment to a fitness routine and help you to stay consistent and motivated,” says Weiner. “Having others around you can also help to keep you accountable, which over time will ensure you’re progressing, getting fitter and more able.”

And if you’ve got a competitive streak, that’s even better. “If you’re competitive then working out in a group can lead to healthy competition, seeing what others are capable of and consequently inspiring you to do more,” says Weiner. “It may also push you to work harder to avoid being the weakest link in the group.”

It makes the workout less likely to hurt

There is also evidence that synchronised movement makes us less likely to notice pain, meaning we really can work out harder without feeling like we need to stop.

“There are studies to show that synchronous behaviours like movement could trigger the endorphin systems in addition to the exercise itself,” explains Weiner. “In one study, athletes were invited to train on rowing machines independently and then work out in synchrony. After the exercise, researchers measured how much pain each of the rowers could feel, and found that athletes who exercised in sync with others were much more resistant to pain.”

Synchronised movement: the surprising ways moving in sync makes us healthier and happier