College Students' Motivations to Attend Group Fitness Classes: An Exploratory Investigation

Abstract

This study investigated college students' various motivations to select from a comprehensive range of group fitness class (GFC) offerings at a university. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in motivations to exercise based on the GFC a participant was attending most often (primary GFC, p < .01). A post hoc test determined that Health Pressures was the only motivation subscale of 14 total subscales to significantly contribute to the main effect ( p < .003). However, the findings suggested that primary GFC can explain variation in motivations to exercise. This result evidences applicability of the self-determination theory between smaller categories of physical activity than previously tested. Future research should replicate the study at larger, more diverse institutions to explore additional factors affecting motivations to exercise. Practitioners can use this study to inform the design and advertising of GFCs.