# Finding a class, club or group

> Start with something you'd enjoy that suits your level, such as a walking group, a beginner class or a local club. Ask to watch or try a session first, and remember it's fine to leave and try another group if the first one isn't right.

- Type: Guide
- Topic: Social & Family › Groups & Community
- Reviewed by: Andrew Schox, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod, Podiatrist (2026-10-21)
- URL: https://twikka.com/learn/finding-a-class-club-or-group
- Updated: 2026-10-21

- **Start with what you enjoy.** You're much more likely to stick with group exercise if you're having fun [1].
- **Walking groups are a gentle, well-supported start.** They tend to raise activity, and most people keep going [2][3].
- **A regular group tends to help more than a one-off event.** Events are a good way to try something and meet people.
- **Ask where you already go.** Your doctor's surgery, council, local gym and community centre are good places to start [4].

## How do you find the right class for you?

Start with something you think you'd enjoy that suits your current fitness, such as a walking group, a seated or chair-based class, yoga, Pilates or dance. Choose options that match what your body can do; any movement counts [5].

When you compare classes, look for:

- **Levels.** Classes labelled beginner or all-levels, or that cater for different fitness levels [4]. Ask about intensity and whether moves can be modified.
- **The instructor.** Someone who makes everyone feel welcome, explains the benefits of each exercise and shows you how to do it [4].
- **Practical fit.** Indoors or outdoors, how near it is, the pace (a walking group is a slower start), and whether you'd like a team sport or a small class [1]. Check what the membership fee covers and shop around on price.

Ask for a free first session or trial, or ask to watch a class before you commit. Many gyms and fitness centres in Australia offer free sessions [1]. Start at a level you can keep up and build gradually, rather than doing too much and then stopping. If a class doesn't suit you, it's fine to leave and try another [1].

## How do you find local clubs for your activity?

Local gyms, leisure centres, fitness centres, sports clubs and community centres are good places to look [4]. Your doctor's surgery is another place to ask, which helps if you'd rather not search online.

Some councils list local activities by area, with a contact for each [6]. In Australia, a group exercise directory lets you search for a class near you [1]. In England, Walking for Health offers approximately 3000 short group walks every week [2]. Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi can all be done seated, with no need to get up from the floor [7]. Where there is no directory you can use, search for your activity plus your town or suburb.

> **Try this:** This week, look at your council's website or call into a community centre or leisure centre. Pick one activity that sounds appealing and ask for a contact name and what it costs.

## Are community fitness events and workshops worth going to?

They can be, as a way to try something and meet people, as long as you then look for a regular group to keep going with. Gains from walking groups tend to be larger after more than six months, and the social support may help people hold on to the change [3]. Support from trainers, friends and groups, and meeting new people, helps older adults stay active [5]. Approaches that combine group support with support tailored to you tend to work best [8]. At parkrun, how often people went in the past was the strongest sign of how often they would go in future [9].

Before paying for anything, talk to current members about their experience. Be wary of any offer that pressures you to sign up or pay on the spot.

## What community programs (like parkrun) are there?

Walking groups are the best-supported option: they are effective and safe, with good adherence [2], and joining one tends to raise how active people are [3]. Walking for Health in England has about 10 000 volunteer walk leaders [2]. Search for a walking group, community walk or parkrun near you, and check the programme's own information for how to join and what it costs. People without a running background generally took part more at parkrun, and fitness and social contact were the main reasons for going [9].

Other options exist:

- **Longer community programmes** that mix several activities. For older adults, those kept up for at least 12 weeks at 2–5 sessions a week tend to improve physical, cognitive and psychological outcomes [10].
- **Social prescribing.** For adults with long-term conditions, it tends to make reaching recommended activity levels more likely [11]. Ask your doctor, council or community centre what exists where you live.
- **Mixed programmes.** One Canadian community programme with walking groups, swimming and Tai Chi helped older adults build social connections and a sense of belonging [12].

Start at the pace and level that suit you, and build up gradually.

## Where can beginners find a friendly exercise group?

Beginners have plenty of options: walking groups, council beginner programmes, classes such as yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or dance, and sessions for beginners only.

- **Council programmes.** Some are aimed at beginners and people returning after a break, led by experienced people who guide you step by step to build fitness and confidence [6].
- **Beginner-only groups.** You can find groups where everyone is a beginner, and many online sessions let you try things at home, alone or with family or friends [7].
- **Single-sex classes.** Most yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi classes include both men and women, and many providers also offer single-sex classes [7].
- **Group classes in general.** They are recommended as a starting point for people new to exercise, and group fitness suits all ages and fitness levels [13].
- **Walking groups.** The companionship and shared experience may help you keep going [2].

Signs of a welcoming group include a class that suits your level and smaller classes with more individual attention. Don't push yourself too hard at the beginning: listen to your body and take breaks when you need to [13].

## How do your interests help you find like-minded active people?

Joining something built around an activity you already enjoy, such as dance, golf or walking, is a reasonable way to meet like-minded people. It's recommended that community programmes emphasise enjoyment and social connection, for example through dancing or golf, rather than presenting activity only as a way to prevent ageing [5]. The social side of walking groups may help people keep going [2]. Support from friends has a small positive link with staying active, though the wider picture on social support is mixed [14].

Pick a class that matches your interests and fitness level [13]. Structured dance is a safe and relatively effective alternative to exercise for physical function and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults, and dance programmes tend to have fewer people dropping out [15].

Think about what you already enjoy and look for a group built around it. Go along to a session or two and see whether you click with the people. If not, try another group. Ask the organiser or members how the group runs and whether newcomers are welcome.

## When to check with a health professional

If you're starting exercise after a long break, it's always a good idea to see your doctor first. For an injury or a health condition, see a health professional, such as your doctor or a physio. Not every activity suits every beginner, so ask them which activities suit you.

Tell the instructor or organiser about any injuries, limits or health concerns before you start. Many instructors are trained to support people with long-term conditions [16][13][6].

Call your local emergency number for chest pain or pressure (or pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, especially with sweating or feeling sick), severe breathlessness, fainting or collapse, signs of a stroke, a serious injury, or someone who isn't safe.

If a muscle or joint hurts, stop and ease off, and see a doctor or other health professional if it persists or gets worse.

## Quick answers

### What if I feel self-conscious about going to a class on my own?

Feeling self-conscious is common and nothing to worry about. Arrive early to meet the instructor, tell them you're new, or bring a friend for moral support. It can take a few sessions to get the hang of things, and most people in the room started as beginners.

### Do I need to be fit before I join a group?

No. Group fitness suits people of all ages and fitness levels, and many classes are labelled beginner or all-levels. Start at a level you can keep up, skip any move that feels uncomfortable, and build gradually. Doing a little regularly matters more than doing a lot at first.

### How do I know if a group or instructor is legitimate?

Check the group's reputation, and think about financial and personal security before handing over money or details. Check that instructors are certified through a recognised registration body; the examples we know of are Australian, so look for the local equivalent where you live.

### What if I start a group and then stop going?

Stopping for a while is common, and coming back is normal. Return at a level you can keep up rather than where you left off, and build gradually. If the group wasn't the right fit, try a different one built around something you enjoy.

## Sources

1. Healthdirect Australia. Group exercise - health benefits and types of group exercise. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/healthy-living/physical-activity/group-exercise-for-beginners
2. Hanson S, Jones A (2015). Is there evidence that walking groups have health benefits? A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-094157
3. Kassavou A, Turner A, French DP (2013). Do interventions to promote walking in groups increase physical activity? A meta-analysis. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-10-18
4. Better Health Channel, State Government of Victoria (2007). Physical activity - choosing a provider. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/physical-activity-choosing-a-provider
5. Chen Y, Shah S, Chen Y, Owen AJ, Ekegren CL, Ilic D, Gasevic D (2025). Barriers to and facilitators of physical activity among community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review. BMJ Open. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095260
6. Kirklees Council. Try it, Like it, Do it. https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/food-exercise-and-sport/try-it.aspx
7. Moving Medicine. Stretch and movement classes. https://everybody.movingmedicine.ac.uk/way-to-move/stretch-and-movement-classes/
8. Richards J, Hillsdon M, Thorogood M, Foster C (2013). Face-to-face interventions for promoting physical activity. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd010392.pub2
9. Peterson B, Withers B, Hawke F, Spink M, Callister R, Chuter V (2022). Outcomes of participation in parkrun, and factors influencing why and how often individuals participate: A systematic review of quantitative studies. Journal of Sports Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2086522
10. Indriani, Qadrijati I, Kristiyanto A, Prasetyawati AE, Nasrullah A (2026). Effectiveness of community-based physical activity models in improving quality of life among elderly: A systematic review. Atencion Primaria. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2026.103558
11. Huang M, Fu G, Du Z (2026). Bayesian re-analysis suggests participation rather than referral underlies the benefits of social prescribing for chronic diseases. Frontiers in Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1951236
12. Hussain B, Mirza M, Baines R, Burns L, Stevens S, Asthana S, Chatterjee A (2023). Loneliness and social networks of older adults in rural communities: a narrative synthesis systematic review. Frontiers in Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1113864
13. City of Bayswater. New to exercise? Try the group effect. https://bayswaterrec.wa.gov.au/tryinggroupfitnessforthefirsttime/
14. Scarapicchia T, Amireault S, Faulkner G, Sabiston CM (2016). Social support and physical activity participation among healthy adults: a systematic review of prospective studies. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984x.2016.1183222
15. Lu J, Abd Rahman NA, Wyon M, Shaharudin S (2024). The effects of dance interventions on physical function and quality of life among middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301236
16. Moving Medicine. Cardio classes. https://everybody.movingmedicine.ac.uk/way-to-move/cardio/

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Source: Twikka (https://twikka.com/learn/finding-a-class-club-or-group). General information about physical activity, not medical advice.