The words “group exercise” bring to mind a sea of aerobicising women sweating through their headbands which are little more than fashion accessories. Music pumping as they labor in tandem onto stacked steps, my perception of the exercise class is more of social destination for people who aren’t at the gym to lose weight but to show off their workout wardrobe.

Perhaps the perception comes from too many eighties films with gym scenes complete with leotards, big hair and very little exercise, or perhaps I’m putting my own spin on the hours spent as a kid sitting against the wall at Hardbodies while my mom and her friends worked hard to achieve that ideal eighties look. Regardless, if one month ago you had offered me the choice of participating in group exercise or working six days in a row at the office I would have picked the office.

I have changed my opinion on group exercise since working out with Julia at Endorphin Fitness and think that there may be hope for me to build healthy relationships with people who become workout buddies. Walking on the treadmill in the extra bedroom at my house is convenient, but there’s no one to push me further and harder and I’m not always my best coach.

Julia is nothing like the classic exercise class instructor. She’s worn camouflage pants at least twice and isn’t afraid to tell you that you’re not working hard enough on any particular exercise. Come to think of it, she may be the nicest drill instructor I have ever met.

The key it seems are the variety of exercises that we are doing each week. Twice a week the weight loss challenge group meets for group circuit training. We’re encouraged to pick a different partner each class and sometimes in the middle of the class and we workout together doing crunches, using resistance bands, doing jumping jacks and running stairs, amongst other exercises.

Yes, we ran up and down the single flight of stairs at the gym, something that I haven’t done in more than a decade.

The combination of classic exercises and recently popular tools, such as stability balls and exercise bands, makes for a nice mix and serves as a reminder that you don’t need a gym membership and $100 sneakers do stop and do some jumping jacks.

Changing the exercises from class to class keeps us guessing and on our toes, which is good for someone like me who bores easily and is ready to move on.

Working out with a partner is another way of keeping it fresh and getting to know fellow challengers along the way. Not that there’s a lot of time for chit chat, but having someone struggling with you to get in more crunches helps build camaraderie not normally found at step classes (at least in my experience).

My partner last Thursday night participated in the previous weight loss challenge and lost 25 pounds. She’s back for more and I can see why.

Unlike a month ago when I would have elected to spend more time at the office instead of exercising with people who I hardly know, I was disappointed earlier this week when a project at work got the best of me and I missed our Tuesday night workout. I was surprised at how deflated I felt when 6:30 rolled around and I was not at the gym.

That’s a quick turnaround in mindset for me and recognizing the shift propels me to work harder hoping that in another two months I will be even more committed to a healthier lifestyle. Not that I’ll have more time to be committed to the lifestyle - there will always be a project at work - but at least I will be motivated to work harder the next time I get a chance.