Finding the balance between your body-neutral mission and effective lead conversion can feel challenging. You’re not alone in this struggle. Many of us grapple with aligning our inclusive values with the marketing strategies available today. This webinar reveals how to leverage Facebook ads for targeted outreach, ensure your messaging consistently builds trust, capture lead information without intrusion, and automate lead nurturing with authenticity. Plus, we’ll cover how to align your online engagement with the in-person experience to maintain comfort and trust from the first click. Join us to transform your marketing into a force for positive, body-neutral engagement, making every aspect of your strategy deeply meaningful and aligned with core values.
BIO: Operating two women’s gyms in Maine, Stacy has transitioned from a professional designer to a fitness entrepreneur, leveraging her inclusive marketing approach for success. Her second gym location achieved profitability within just one month by using body-neutral strategies and a repeatable system she designed in her first location. The core of her mission is to shift the fitness industry away from emphasizing physical appearance to celebrating the universal benefits and joy of movement. Through Feel Strong Brands, Stacy offers marketing tools and coaching to help fitness professionals create inclusive spaces, complemented by the Feel Strong Movement, a directory that connects individuals with like-minded gyms and trainers. Stacy is deeply committed to promoting an inclusive and empowering fitness experience for everyone.
In the vibrant world of group fitness, our words hold immense power – they can either uplift and inspire or they can deflate and discourage participants. As advocates for inclusivity and body positivity, it’s paramount that we recognize and harness this power for the betterment of our community. In this blog, we delve into four key areas to foster inclusivity and respect within our classes.
Being Aware That Our Words Have Power:
Our language serves as a potent tool that shapes perceptions, influences self-esteem, and molds attitudes. Negative language perpetuates harmful stereotypes and fosters exclusion, while positive language cultivates a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged.
Mistake 1: Coupling food and fitness
Fitness spaces should serve as sanctuaries free from judgment and guilt, yet the integration of food-related cues can inadvertently perpetuate harmful attitudes towards eating and body image. By refraining from associating exercise with food morality, we foster an environment where participants can focus solely on movement and wellness.
Instead of: “Work off that indulgent weekend!”
Say this instead: “Let’s move and energize our bodies today, focusing on feeling strong and vibrant.”
By separating food from fitness instruction, we honor the diverse needs and experiences of our participants, promoting a culture of acceptance and self-care.
Mistake 2: Creating Levels in Classes
In many group fitness classes, instructors may unintentionally perpetuate exclusion by categorizing exercises into “levels.” While the intention behind this may be to provide options for participants of varying fitness levels, it can inadvertently create a sense of hierarchy and inadequacy among participants. This approach often assumes that certain exercises are inherently more challenging or superior to others, leading to feelings of frustration or disengagement among participants who may not identify with the designated level.
For example, consider the cue: “Beginners, stick to the modified versions, while advanced participants can attempt the full version.” While this may seem like a logical way to cater to different fitness levels, it can inadvertently reinforce the idea that modified versions are inferior or only suitable for beginners. This can create a sense of stigma around modifications and discourage participants from listening to their bodies and choosing options that best suit their individual needs.
Instead of categorizing exercises into levels, instructors can adopt a more inclusive approach by providing a range of options and encouraging participants to explore what feels best for their bodies. Rather than labeling exercises as “beginner,” “intermediate,” or “advanced,” consider cues that empower participants to make choices based on their own comfort and capability.
For example, instead of segregating participants into distinct levels, instructors can offer variations for each exercise and encourage participants to choose the option that allows them to challenge themselves while maintaining proper form and alignment. Phrases like, “Feel free to choose the variation that suits your body today,” or “Listen to your body and select the option that feels right for you,” empower participants to take ownership of their fitness journey and make choices that honor their individual strengths and limitations.
By moving away from a hierarchical approach to exercise and embracing inclusivity through offering options and encouraging autonomy, instructors can create a more welcoming and empowering environment where all participants feel valued and supported in their fitness journey.
Mistake 3: Toxic Fitness Culture: All or Nothing Mentality:
The pervasive “go hard or go home” mentality in fitness can alienate individuals who may not meet traditional fitness standards or have physical limitations. This toxic culture promotes an all-or-nothing approach that prioritizes intensity over sustainability and ignores the diverse needs of participants. Instead, let’s cultivate an environment that celebrates progress and honors individual boundaries.
Instead of: “If you can’t do this exercise, do this modification”
Try this: “If you want to feel more supported, try this. When teaching a plank for example rather than say if you can’t do it on your toes, put a knee down, you could instead say: “If you want to feel grounded, put a knee down.”
The goal is to encourage the use of modifications and provide options for participants of all fitness levels emphasizing the importance of consistency and gradual progress over perfection.
Celebrating every small victory, whether it’s mastering a new move or simply showing up for class. By rejecting toxic fitness culture and embracing inclusivity, we create spaces where all individuals feel welcomed and empowered to embark on their fitness journey at their own pace.
Mistake 4: Focusing on Aesthetics vs fitness & health benefits
In fitness, the way we look is often confused for our actual fitness level. When we coach in a way that puts the focus on changing the way our body looks, we are missing out on focusing on non-aesthetic wins. Instead, let’s celebrate what our bodies can do and work towards feeling strong and capable in every movement. In many group fitness classes, the focus is often solely on achieving a certain aesthetic ideal, which can perpetuate harmful notions of beauty and body image. By shifting the focus to the holistic benefits of fitness – such as improved strength, flexibility, and mental well-being – we empower participants to appreciate their bodies for what they can do rather than how they look.
Consider reframing cues such as: “Let’s slim down those thighs!” To instead, “Let’s work on strengthening our lower body and improving our overall mobility and function.”
By celebrating the diverse abilities and accomplishments of our bodies, we promote a culture of acceptance and self-love that transcends superficial standards of beauty.
As group fitness instructors, we wield immense influence over the atmosphere and culture of our classes. By embracing mindful language and practices, separating food from fitness, rejecting toxic fitness culture, and focusing on holistic wellness, we pave the way for a more inclusive and empowering fitness community. Let’s continue to educate ourselves, uplift those around us, and strive towards a future where every body feels valued, respected, and celebrated. Through our intentional actions and words, we can create spaces where all individuals, regardless of size, shape, or ability, feel seen, heard, and empowered to thrive. Together, let’s build a fitness community that fosters inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment.
Thank you for your interest in joining Body Positive Fitness Alliance’s volunteer Board of Directors!
The Board works together to guide the direction of our 501(c)3 nonprofit, build our community, collaborate on education materials, and work together to uphold BPFA’s 8 Pillars.
We are planning to add 2-4 new Board Members for the 2024 calendar year. To best support the organization, we are looking for Board Members to lead in the following areas:
– Social Media and Marketing
– Grants and Fundraising
– Organizational Development
The following roles already have leads. However, we always work as a team to make sure we’re creating the best content and experiences possible. So if you’re not completely into one of the specific roles above, know that we still want to hear from you because we’re also working on these projects:
– Asynchronous Learning
– Interactive Learning (eg. monthly Live Learning Seminars)
– Participating (in person or virtually) in BPFA’s Annual Summit, held in the spring in Toronto, Canada
– Working with other Board Members to set and complete quarterly goals related to their primary role
– Attending a minimum of one virtual Board meeting or event per month, and one quarterly meeting to set and discuss individual and organizational goals. There are opportunities to connect almost every week for a BPFA event including open Community Office Hours, co-working hours, Live Learning seminars, and “official” Board Meetings.
Logistics, Details, Compensation:
This application will be open until October 31st. After reviewing applications we’ll reach out directly to schedule a video interview with the current Board. The goal is to complete all potential Board Member interviews by the end of November, and finalize the 2024 Board by the end of December.
Each Board term runs for a full calendar year. This application is for January-December 2024 with an option to continue Board service at the end of the term.
This is a volunteer position. Because we are a US-based nonprofit, you can claim your contributions on annual taxes in the United States, and there are opportunities for paid collaboration such as building continuing education courses and leading Live Learning seminars.
If you have any questions at all throughout the process, please feel free to reach out to Laura and Katie at bodypositivefitnessalliance@gmail.com.
Thank you for the work you’re already doing to make the fitness world more inclusive and accessible. And thank you for your willingness to share your gifts, resources, and experience with BPFA.
Want to connect with other trainers? Join our online learning community, BPFA Inclusive FitPros and build your network! Our learning community exists to make meaningful connections between likeminded FitPros working to make fitness more accessible for all people. Make friends, ask questions, and participate in continuing education. We’re here to be your fitness family that celebrates all bodies!
BPFA Inclusive FitPro membership includes FREE access to monthly Live Learning events where we talk about a wide range of topics through the lens of our Eight Pillars. Join in for movement sessions, lectures, and panel discussions, and hey, maybe even host one of your own sometime!
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