Few look at the concrete benches and fountain of Washington Square Park as a gym, but that is exactly where The Rise, a free exercise group founded by NYU alumnus David Johnson, Joseph Mullins and Anthony Burdi, gathers on Monday mornings to workout.

The Rise is a 30-minute workout held three times a week at 6:30 a.m. Johnson and his co-founders all have a history of athleticism and lead the workouts.

Johnson previously started a running group in Boston called The Most Informal Running Group Ever because he was looking for a free place to run that would be open to anyone. The Rise is based on the same general principles, except that they are trying to make a more formal exercise group to which people will commit.

Susanna Montesinos, who exercises with the group, used to do interval training with an instructor. She has found that she prefers The Rise, however, because it provides the same workout for free and with the added benefit of new friends.

“It’s infectious,” Montesinos said. “Everyone is kind, generous and open.”

The Rise has grown from a group of three to a group of 79 people in the past two years.

“[Exercising] by myself is never as exciting,” Alexandra Brown, a member of The Rise, said. “I go faster and harder surrounded by people who are cheering with me.”

The workouts are designed to raise heart rates and pull inspiration for exercises from a variety of sources. Many who go to the workouts have seen a huge change in their fitness as a result. Brown has had an improvement in her 5K time, as well as her arm strength.

“Before working out, I had no visible arm muscle at all,” Brown said. “I have biceps now. I’m not someone who gains muscle definition easily, but now I did.”

Inclusiveness is a component of the group’s mission. Regardless of athletic ability, anyone is welcome to join the group.

“Absolutely anyone can modify [the workout],” Johnson said. “We encourage people to keep going. We are not trying to compete, we just try to push them.”

Words of encouragement are frequently used in the group. Burdi is especially known for being sociable, cracking jokes and giving out high fives.

“I try to keep everyone happy and motivated,” Burdi said. “Otherwise it would suck and everyone would be quiet.”

The group’s dedication to working out regardless of the weather is another way they bond with one another.

“Workouts never get cancelled, even if it’s cold or snowy or rainy,” Burdi said. “Gross rainy days are the best days to form comradery because we’re all crazy enough to show up.”

Members of the group often spend time with one another outside of the exercise sessions, grabbing brunch afterward or throwing get-togethers. Both Brown and Montesinos encourage anyone to join simply by showing up.

“The scariest part is showing up for the first time,” Brown said. “I remember my first day, I was there for all of five seconds before people came over, introduced themselves and highfived me. If you’re willing to jump in, people are happy to include you.”

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Sept. 29 print edition. Email Amanda Morris at [email protected].