Group sports vs. Solo workouts: finding what works for you

One of the biggest decisions when starting your fitness journey is figuring out whether you prefer group sports vs solo workouts. Both have their benefits, and honestly? There's no wrong answer. The key is understanding what motivates you and what fits your lifestyle as a student in Zurich.

The case for group sports

Built-in accountability

Let's be real: hitting snooze is way easier when you're only letting yourself down. But when your volleyball team is counting on you or your running buddy is waiting at the meeting point? That's powerful motivation to get out of bed.

Group sports create natural accountability. You're not just committing to yourself; you're committing to your teammates. This social pressure (the good kind!) can be exactly what you need to stay consistent, especially during stressful exam periods when working out feels impossible to prioritize.

Social connection while you sweat

One of the best parts of group sports? You're getting fit and building friendships at the same time. Instead of forcing small talk over coffee, you're bonding while working toward shared goals. The conversations flow naturally, and before you know it, you've made friends who share your interests.

For students new to Zurich or anyone looking to expand their social circle, group sports offer an easy entry point. You already have something in common, and the regular meetups mean you're consistently connecting with the same people.

Push your limits together

There's something motivating about working out alongside others. When you see someone else pushing through that last rep or sprinting to the finish, it makes you want to dig deeper too. Group energy can push you further than you might go on your own.

Plus, in group settings, you learn from each other. Someone might share a technique that clicks for you, or you might discover a training method you never would have tried solo.

The structure of scheduled sessions

Group sports typically happen at set times, which means you have a structured fitness routine built into your week. No decision fatigue about when to work out or what to do. Just show up at the designated time and follow along.

The case for individual workouts

Total flexibility

The biggest advantage of solo workouts? You're on your own schedule. Want to hit the gym at 6 AM before your morning lecture? Go for it. Prefer a midnight run to clear your head? No problem. With individual workouts, your fitness routine adapts to your life, not the other way around.

This flexibility is particularly valuable for students juggling classes, part-time jobs, and social commitments. You don't have to coordinate with anyone else or miss workouts because of scheduling conflicts.

Complete control over intensity and pace

When you work out alone, you set the pace. Want to push hard today? Great. Need a lighter session because you're exhausted from studying? That's fine too. There's no pressure to keep up with anyone else or hold back because you're ahead of the group.

You can also customize everything to your preferences—the music, the route, the exercises, the duration. Your workout is entirely yours.

Introvert-friendly fitness

Not everyone loves working out in groups, and that's completely valid. If you're someone who finds exercise meditative or uses it to decompress alone, individual workouts might be your perfect fit. There's real value in that quiet time with yourself, whether you're running through Zurich's parks or following a yoga video in your room.

Solo workouts let you be in your own head, process your thoughts, and recharge without social demands.

Focus on personal goals

Individual workouts allow you to laser-focus on your specific goals without compromise. Training for a specific race? You can follow your personalized plan exactly. Working on a particular skill? You can dedicate entire sessions to it without worrying about what the group wants to do.

So, which should you choose?

Here's the truth: you don't have to choose one or the other. Many people find the sweet spot by mixing both approaches.

Consider group sports if you:

• Thrive on social interaction and accountability

• Struggle with motivation when working out alone

• Want to make new friends while staying active

• Enjoy team dynamics and shared goals

• Prefer structured schedules

Consider individual workouts if you:

• Need maximum flexibility in your schedule

• Prefer solitude and personal reflection time

• Want complete control over your routine

• Work best at your own pace

• Have very specific fitness goals

  
  

The hybrid approach: Many students find success combining both. Maybe you join a running group twice a week for accountability and social connection, but do solo gym sessions or yoga on other days when your schedule is unpredictable. Or perhaps you train individually most of the time but join group classes occasionally for that motivating energy boost.

Starting with SportBesties

If you're curious about group sports but not ready to commit to a team, SportBesties offers the perfect middle ground. You can:

• Try different group activities to see what you enjoy

• Connect with one or two workout buddies for smaller, flexible sessions

• Join casual meetups without long-term commitment

• Build a fitness routine that mixes group and solo workouts

The beauty of SportBesties is that you're not locked into one approach. Find a tennis partner for weekend matches but do your weekday runs solo. Join a hiking group monthly but hit the gym by yourself most days. The community is flexible enough to support however you want to work out.

Listen to Yourself

The most important factor? Pay attention to what actually gets you moving consistently. If you've been telling yourself you should love solo workouts but you constantly skip them, maybe you need the accountability of a group. If you've been forcing yourself to attend group classes you dread, perhaps individual workouts suit you better.

Your fitness routine should energize you, not drain you. Whether that means joining every group activity you can find or going for solo runs along the Limmat, what matters is finding a system that keeps you active and happy.

Ready to explore group sports in Zurich? Join SportBesties and discover what works for you.