The inclusive fitness revolution
The Inclusive Fitness Revolution
As gym doors closed due to COVID-19, many of us who rely on exercise for our physical and mental wellbeing found ourselves wondering – how will I stay fit and healthy during lockdown? As the lockdown days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, organisations like The Grind Project gave us an alternative. Online programming that not only supports mental and physical health but is also more accessible, including for those who may not have had access to fitness options previously. A digital fitness revolution.
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Many of us rely on gyms for both exercising and socialising. But for others, walking into a gym has always felt intimidating. From anxiety around access issues for those with a disability, to the predominance of an overly ‘macho’ culture which can make some feel out of place, gyms have not always been a safe space for all. For some, group sessions are motivating; a chance to interact with like-minded people and challenge yourself. But class timings may not suit parents or those with caring responsibilities, and the presence of lots of other people may result in anxiety about our ability or even the clothes we wear. The high cost of gym memberships and location primarily in urban areas also creates a socio-economic divide. And for many professionals who travelled extensively pre-COVID, lack of access to their normal gym and tedious hotel workouts felt like a break in the training programme that couldn’t be avoided.
But now we have an alternative.
Gyms may not open for a while yet, but well-designed online training can help us maintain progress towards our goals. For gym-goers, group training programmes allow us to maintain contact with friends, motivating each other through group chat options and comparing our scores (but remember the competition is ultimately always with yourself!).
For non-gym-goers, online training presents a cheaper, less intimidating option for beginning a fitness journey. A variety of programmes mean that it no longer matters if you have access to expensive equipment, and doing classes from home may help give you the flexibility you need. Many workouts can be broken up to fit with your routine – 15 minutes in the morning when you wake up, 10 minutes in your working from home lunch break, 10 minutes of stretching before bed. Whatever works for you. Whoever you are. It doesn’t matter where you live, what time-zone you are in or how much equipment you have.
Being a member of a trusted, digital community may also help reduce the focus on physical attributes. You don’t have to worry if you don’t have the latest pair of trainers, if you aren’t the same body shape you see promoted on social media, or if you really just want to do the workout in your pyjamas. There are also programmes that can be tailored to your needs, including if you have a disability or injury.
So for those missing the gym, online training could help fill the void. And for those taking the opportunity to reflect on fitness and well-being during these challenging times, online training programmes could be the place to start. By being more accessible and cost-effective for all, it could even mark the beginning of a more inclusive fitness revolution that is here to stay.
article by Bethy Yates