Facebook Groups for Fitness and Motivation

If you're not invested in a particular type of fitness, such as cycling or CrossFit, then a general fitness group is a great place to start. Get involved by asking questions or commenting on the articles or posts shared by others. In large groups, it can sometimes feel tough to find your footing and be heard. Be patient and give it time—as the old adage goes, you'll get out what you put in.

Try joining the Health and Fitness group, or if you'd like a more female-friendly environment, the Health and Fitness Girl Talk or Tone It Up Girls groups are good options. If you're into more challenging workouts, consider the Fitness, Nutrition, and High-Intensity Training group.

If weight loss is your goal, Facebook Groups (particularly those that are well-managed by moderators), are a great place to find support. Just be wary of spammy posts from users selling cleanses or other diets—many moderators try to delete these posts as they're added, but it can be tough to keep up! A good group to try if you own a Fitbit is the FitBit for Weight Loss group.

Runners, cyclists, and triathletes—you're a special breed of fitness enthusiast, which means you need to seek out groups of like-minded athletes. Facebook's endurance sports groups are an excellent place to ask questions specific to training, nutrition, and the dreaded taper. Some of the most popular endurance-focused groups include No Excuse Runners, Marathon Maniacs, I love Road Cycling, and Women for Tri. 

If you're a more specialized athlete, look into groups like Trail and Ultra Running, UltraRunning, Open Water Swimming, or even All Things Obstacle Course Racing.

Keep in mind that many regional endurance sports clubs also have Facebook Groups. For instance, if you live in Dallas, TX, you might want to join the Dallas / Ft. Worth Triathlon Club group, rather than a general group. If you know your city or region has a sports club geared to your sport, check their website for information on private Facebook Groups.

It's not just health nuts and gym rats who use Facebook groups. In fact, Facebook might be one of the best places for outdoor enthusiasts to connect, since hiking, climbing, and backpacking are enjoyed the world over and often have a lower barrier to entry than sports that require extensive equipment.

Larger, public groups include Hiking, Backpacking, Addicted to Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving, and SlackChat (a group about slacklining). But as with endurance sports, outdoor activities frequently have regional Facebook groups to help organize local events. Be sure to search these out.

If you're a diehard yogi, a CrossFit maniac, or a Pilates fanatic, you need to find groups of similarly-addicted exercisers. Try using Facebook's search to seek out groups specific to your favorite activity or studio. Popular groups include P90X, The Yoga Room, CF Masters (for CrossFit enthusiasts),  The Pilates Eye, Martial Arts Group for All, Pole Freaks, and Celebrate Indoor Cycling.

There are literally thousands of Facebook groups specific to a location, a type of exercise, or a specific studio. If you're looking to connect with people in real life, use Facebook's search function to find the best group for you. For instance, by searching "Austin Fitness," then selecting "Groups" from the options bar across the top of the search page, results included everything from Austin Fitness Competitors to Austin Nerd Fitness Adventures.

There are also groups geared specifically to fitness instructors and studio owners. These groups act as fabulous resources for those who make a living through fitness. If you're an instructor, simply search Facebook Groups for your certification or specialty.

A few of the most popular groups include Fitness Instructors, Certified Group Fitness Instructors, Personal Trainers Unite, CrossFit Affiliate Owners, Yoga Teachers, and Indoor Cycling Instructors.

While Facebook Groups are one way to connect with like-minded individuals, it's easy to get sucked into the "vacuum" of social media. Remember that while general advice from your Internet friends can be helpful, it's hard to replace the value of individualized coaching or training. If you have very specific goals you hope to achieve, it's always a good idea to seek out a professional in your area.