Even if diversity and inclusion have become buzzwords within the fitness/wellness industry, mainstream fitness is still overwhelmingly white and thin. Look around at cover models, instructors, and trainers to see if you can notice the lack of representation of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) in the industry. This includes representation at all levels ranging from the cover models on fitness magazines to the lineup at conferences to panels or the speakers themselves.
Or look at workout regimens in gyms. You’ll find that the most they do is create custom fitness programs according to fit body type and simply use these as cookie-cutter formulas for those who are differently-abled or shaped.
It’s essential to cultivate this kind of diversity and ensure that everyone can feel represented in a movement to improve oneself. Whether you realize it or not, it’s impossible to take a holistic approach to wellness without considering the intersection of race, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, age, body shape and size, and more.
Here are four reasons why:
Everyone Needs to Be Represented
Representation of people is essential for two reasons:
- What others see shapes their perception of reality.
- What they don’t see can keep them from seeing what’s possible for themselves or others.
It’s important to see women in hijabs working out in fitness/wellness magazines. We need to see black and brown women in wellness magazines and gyms. We must see custom fitness programs for differently-abled people represented because many still don’t understand that body size has nothing to do with health.
Everyone Is Welcomed
Have you ever walked into a room or space and immediately felt like you didn’t belong there? This is an experience that marginalized groups experience every day at work or in social settings, especially in spaces and industries where people of different identities outnumber them.
This concept is particularly challenging for white people to understand because being white affords them the privilege of rarely feeling like they are in an unwelcoming space; they are the majority in American culture. Diversity and inclusion help individuals feel included and welcomed.
Everyone Needs Fitness
With the average American woman wearing a size 14 or above, representing fitness with only the fittest, youngest people is an injustice to most people. Fitness is for everyone. Being fit doesn’t mean having the right body type or size. It means eating healthy and doing physical activity every day.
Even if one is not tiny and toned, they do not need to feel excluded from fitness spaces and custom fitness programs. They deserve to feel welcomed somewhere where their body is represented.
Everyone Learns from Each Other
If most of your social circles look just like you, your thoughts and actions will be unnecessarily confined by a lack of diversity. Even worse, you are missing out on significant growth opportunities. Being around someone different from yourself, who can offer a different perspective, one you may have never considered, allows you to expand your knowledge and self-awareness.
To get the most value from this process, be quiet and listen. While you may not experience everything someone else experiences, you can do your best to understand, empathize, and hold space for other people. There is nothing wrong with sharing personal experiences as part of learning. You can learn a lot by closing your mouth and opening your ears.
Enroll in Custom Fitness Programs That’s Diverse and Inclusive
Everyone needs to be more physically active and inclusive. Together, let’s work to make fitness easier for everyone and shift the landscape away from the sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle that’s way too common in the U.S. It is only when everyone takes ownership of a movement that it gains shape and achieves traction.
Get involved with custom fitness programs today with The Fit Factor PT! We’re an exclusive, results-driven personal training studio. Anyone interested in genuinely achieving their fitness goals through customized training programs will be blown away by the attention to detail and the precision. Book now to get a complimentary consultation!
Chad has been my personal trainer for over 10 years. He is very dedicated and resourceful as a trainer. I would highly recommend Chad. He has kept my body healthy through all these years and in my 50s. Chad is also very accommodating to working with your schedule. Wouldn't go anywhere else.
I love working out with Chad! I have been working out with him for the past year and a half and have had the best results compared with other trainers. Chad’s dedication to his clients, humor, warmth and expertise are a winning combination. I look forward to our sessions and always leave feeling stronger, more flexible and energetic. I highly recommend Chad.
I have been working with Chad (the trainer) for almost three years now and have gone through an amazing transformation! He bonds greatly with his clients and is a very qualified trainer. He tailors workouts to individual clients and has helped me perform better as an equestrian and achieve my physique goals. If you are looking for a great one-on-one trainer, I would highly recommend.
When I started going to the fit factor I went in thinking I had a pretty good knowledge of weight lifting and exercise without having much to improve. I was so wrong! Chad was incredible and really took the time to explain and show proper technique as well as a variety of different exercises that I had never done before. I now have much more confidence in my form and have a really great and well rounded routine. Additionally, Chad catered to my personal goals and really listened to what I wanted to accomplish. I cannot recommend The fit factor and Chad enough!
I have been weight lifting for over five years but have never had dedicated instruction from a trainer. Chad was able to notice where my form was failing and correct it immediately. He also guided me towards effective exercises so that I could keep achieving my goals and moving up. After a couple of months of working with him I was able to see some great results. Chad knows his stuff!
Chad has been great with not only the types of specialized workouts each session but also with checking in after the sessions. He has a real passion for seeing people make big health changes; which makes it fun. Would highly recommend!
I went to Chad looking to get back in shape and lose weight, which had crept up from working long hours. Chad was super patient and non-judgmental. We started at a level where I would see results but not get so sore or so disappointed at what I could not do it. He focused on what I could do if I pushed myself hard and taught me that step/skill building was an integral part of the process. We also talked about nutrition and self-care. As other reviews have mentioned, he cares about his clients beyond the appointment time, and wants them to make positive change to their lives that will stick. I lost 30+ pounds and I am in the best shape of my life. I have been able to maintain this for 2 years. He taught me how to create a sustainable workout plan. Even during the pandemic I was able to maintain my weight and my fitness level thanks for his frequent check-ins and the solid fitness base we created through his work and fitness mentorship. I highly recommend him!
I started with Chad in August 2020, my first semester of college was cancelled and i needed something active to do. At that point I was a small underweight kid looking to gain muscle and gain weight. I went to Chad 3 times a week until late January 2021. Those 5 months were great, I really enjoyed going to chad and it was the highlight of my week and something I would look forward to going to 3 times every week. Throughout this time Chad has perfected my form on workouts and had a great and unique workout for me everytime. I went in weighing 125 pounds at 5’10 and now I weigh 150 pounds after the five months. Not only did Chad give workouts but he also gave me a diet for me to follow so I could maximize my time with him. He really personalizes workouts for each person. Currently i’m in the best shape of my life and am super confident in my body. GO TO FIT-FACTOR!!