Moving Together Is the New Medicine (And We Already Knew It)

You know the feeling. You're standing at the water fountain after a workout, face red and legs shaking. Next to you is someone breathing just as hard. You look at each other. And laugh. That moment? That's not just fun. That's science.

Exercise works just as well as therapy

A large analysis of 73 scientific studies, published earlier this year, shows something remarkable. Exercise works just as well as talking to a psychologist for depression. And the combination of strength training and cardio? That works best of all.

Let that sink in. You don't need to be a marathon runner. Or a fitness guru. Just move regularly, break a sweat, and your body and mind will thank you.

And it gets even better. Researchers from Loughborough University published this month in JAMA Psychiatry that exercise should be a standard part of mental healthcare. Not as an extra. As a core treatment.

But together

This is where it gets interesting for us. Because it's not just about moving. It's about how you move.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) publishes the world's biggest fitness trends every year. And guess what returned to the top 20 in 2026? Group classes. Live, with real people, in the same room.

After years of solo workouts, YouTube videos, and lonely jogging sessions, people want to train together again. Makes sense. Because an app doesn't send you a message when you don't show up. A community does.

Why this works at CrossFit Leiden

Training together isn't a trend for us. It's who we are. Every class is done with a group. Your coach knows your name, knows about your knee injury, and adapts the workout. The person next to you cheers you on, even if you've only known each other for two weeks.

80% of our members had no sports experience when they started. That's not a marketing line. That's reality. People don't walk in here as seasoned athletes. They walk in as parents who want energy again. As expats looking for a place to belong. As people who want to sleep better, stress less, or simply laugh again during exercise.

And that's exactly what science now confirms. The combination of movement, in a group, with coaching and connection, is the most powerful prescription for both your physical and mental health.

Just start

You don't need to be fit to begin. You don't need to know what a "snatch" is (we'll explain). You just need to come in for a free, no-pressure intro. We'll take care of the rest.

The best thing about moving together? You don't have to do it alone.