Group Fitness in Brighton & Hove: Why It's Great (and How to Stay Injury-Free)

Group fitness classes are absolutely booming across Brighton & Hove—from kettlebell bootcamps on the seafront to boutique spin studios like RoxLife and Impact Fitness Hove. And it makes total sense. For many people, group classes are the perfect way to stay consistent with exercise—especially if you’re short on time or find it tough to get motivated solo.

Group fitness does the heavy lifting when it comes to structure and accountability: you turn up, the workout’s planned, and you’re surrounded by others doing the same. It’s energising, time-efficient, and fun. But like any style of training, it has its limitations—and that’s where we’re seeing more and more people run into trouble.

At Life is Movement, we’ve noticed a steady increase in clients picking up avoidable injuries in group classes. It’s not that group fitness is bad—far from it. But if you’re not moving well before you start, or if you push too hard, too fast, it can come back to bite.

Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening, and how to get the best out of group training while avoiding unnecessary injuries.

Group Fitness Hotspots in Brighton & Hove

There are tons of brilliant group training options in the area, including:

• Brighton Outdoor Fitness – circuits, HIIT & running clubs in Preston Park, Hove Park and on the seafront

• Brighton Kettlebells – strength-based bootcamps for all levels

• Fit Box Gym – HYROX training, boxing and functional fitness

• RoxLife – immersive spin, strength, yoga and boxing classes

• Impact Fitness Hove – small-group strength and conditioning in a supportive studio setting

👍 Why People Love Group Fitness

• Motivation, sorted: No need to think or plan—just show up and move

• Community vibe: Training alongside others keeps you accountable and energised

• Structure: Professionally designed workouts that cover strength, cardio, flexibility and more

• Expert guidance: Most classes are led by certified instructors

Group classes can be a perfect fit—especially for people who thrive on momentum and routine. But they do come with some caveats.

🤕 Why Injuries Are on the Rise

We’re seeing more people walk into the clinic with group fitness-related issues. These aren’t freak accidents—they’re often preventable, repetitive strain-type injuries that build up over time:

• Overuse injuries like shin splints, tendinopathies and shoulder pain

• Technique breakdown under fatigue, especially in HIIT and strength-based formats

• Under-coaching: Instructors are great, but in bigger classes it’s tough to correct every single person

• Jumping in cold: People often underestimate the intensity and start without the right foundations

Group classes are a great tool—but they’re not a magic safety net. And in large or fast-paced sessions, it’s easy to miss the early warning signs your body is giving you.

🚨 What We’re Seeing at the Clinic

Here at Life is Movement, we’ve treated clients for:

• Knee pain from misaligned squats during bootcamps

• Achilles issues from repeated sprint drills on the promenade

• Shoulder and neck strain from overdoing it in boxing or circuit training

• Lower back pain from pushing heavy lifts without enough prep

Often, it’s not about the class itself—it’s about how someone’s moving before they even step through the studio doors.

✅ How to Avoid Injuries in Group Fitness

Here are a few simple things that can make a huge difference:

1. Start with a movement check-in
At Life is Movement, we offer physio-guided movement assessments to spot mobility issues, asymmetries or weaknesses before they lead to problems.

2. Ease in gradually
Don't go from 0 to 100. Build your foundation with bodyweight strength and mobility work before diving into high-intensity sessions.

3. Warm up properly
Dynamic warm-ups (mobility drills, glute activations, etc.) help your joints and muscles handle what’s coming.

4. Pay attention to your body
It’s easy to get caught up in the group buzz—but pain is a signal, not a challenge.

5. Choose smaller or better-coached formats
Studios with small groups (like Impact Fitness Hove) or semi-private coaching can help you nail your form and avoid overload.

🏥 Need Help?

1. Already Injured in a Group Class?

Book an assessment with us at Life is Movement. We’ll help you recover from your current injury and figure out what caused it in the first place. We're not just about symptom relief—we look deeper than most physio clinics to understand your unique movement patterns, and help you stay injury-free going forward.

2. New to Group Fitness (or Feeling Unsure)?

Before you jump into classes full steam, let’s do a physio-led movement consultation. We’ll look for any underlying issues—like poor mobility or imbalances—that might predispose you to overuse injuries. You’ll leave with a custom warm-up routine and prep plan designed to keep you moving well and feeling great from day one.

Ready to train with confidence? Visit www.lifeismovementclinic.com to book now 💻