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Published April 19, 2024 at 3:35 AM ET
The benefits of being physically active and exercising are endless, including improved brain health, reduced risk of disease, stronger bones and muscles, and improved ability to perform daily tasks and household chores. In recent years, with the rise of the power of social media, more people are hitting the gym, posting photos and videos of their workouts, and encouraging their followers to exercise. Yes, emotions are positive. But with an astonishing rise in aesthetic photos of models and influencers training in cute matching outfits, and bodybuilders lifting impressive weights, gyms are becoming more and more popular with slim and healthy people. The image that it is only for strong people has become established.
Taking the first step is always the hardest thing to do. For fitness newbies, it can be taxing to overcome the mental barriers that arise from glorified depictions of gyms in the media. According to a 2019 survey of 2,000 Americans, about 50% of people have felt anxious about joining a gym. gym intimidation. This problem is especially pronounced among women who feel that their worth depends on their attractiveness. It’s possible to engage in gym timidation, and her 4Fitness, founded by Tracy Thompson, aims to make exercise more accessible by promoting a judgment-free zone.
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“It’s all about accessibility,” Tracy says. “It’s important to make gyms more accessible, especially in the United States, which is facing an obesity crisis. But the real problem isn’t being overweight. It’s exercise and lack of exercise. Too many places don’t have access to gyms. How can we solve this problem when it feels like an inaccessible luxury?
Pilates, a type of exercise popularized on the Internet, has spread rapidly and attracted many people with its aesthetic value. However, it has become so glorified that average people looking to add movement to their daily lives have turned away from it. Most of his classes, whether Pilates Reform or Mat Pilates, last over an hour, and often over two hours. Despite its simple nature, Pilates requires tremendous core strength. If you don’t exercise often, not moving your core for long periods of time can cause back and neck pain.
Flying Pilates is a 4Fitness alternative to the physically challenging traditional Pilates. This class seamlessly blends comfort with the powerful and demanding movements of Pilates. Participants train in suspended fabric hammocks. This increases control and stability while reducing pressure on the lower back and coccyx area. This exercise is reminiscent of flying through the air while maintaining a Pilates posture, making the glorified technique a fun and approachable process.
“If you can lie down and put your feet up, you can do flying Pilates,” Tracy adds. “You don’t have to be healthy or know how to exercise. You can just lie down, follow some simple instructions, and move your body to reap the benefits. But what we’re transforming is It’s not just Pilates. Everything from the studio structure and pricing to the exercises we offer feels and is accessible to the average person.”
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4Fitness offers free consultations to discuss your personal goals, aspirations, and challenges. During that meeting, many doubts and fears will fade away. “When I meet clients for the first time, they often say they know they can’t exercise. I always emphasize that I don’t teach classes this way, because all the jumping, bouncing, and twisting movements are really amazing, but there are a lot of them. It scares people away,” Tracy explains.
Ideal photos on social media and fitness reality are two different things. To bridge this disconnect, Tracie never posts images that don’t accurately represent the actual class. When she shares a video of someone jumping incredibly high, she posts someone who can’t jump at all. Similarly, she publishes photos of people of all sizes, ages, and fitness levels, thanking everyone for not only their skills but for overcoming crippling mental barriers, getting up and moving their bodies. We foster an environment where people feel valued.
Our commitment to accessibility is evident across all of 4Fitness’ ventures, including our financial side. While most gyms and sports facilities require monthly or annual memberships, Tracie is introducing a different model that may be more viable. Another barrier people have to overcome is finances. By requiring participants to only pay for the classes they take, Tracy creates a non-judgmental, barrier-free space that people want to come back to.
“I love the idea of accessibility and making gyms friendly for everyone. No matter your size, age or gender, you can benefit from getting your body moving,” says Tracy. “When you see someone bigger or older doing the exercise you’re afraid of, you gain confidence. By changing your mindset, you can break through all barriers. That’s what I’m trying to do. I refuse to give this lying machine any more glamorous pictures. It takes the spotlight away from the health aspect and not the fitness objective. Shining a spotlight on beauty. Exercise should be about empowerment, health, and confidence, and that’s my mission behind 4Fitness.”
