Why Body Positivity Matters in the Fitness Industry

The fitness industry often promotes a singular image of beauty and fitness, but it’s time for a change. As someone who has worked in the fitness industry but also felt the negative effects of fat phobia and diet culture, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of body positivity. In this blog post, we’ll explore why body positivity is crucial in the fitness industry and how it can benefit individuals on their fitness journeys

Defining Body Positivity

Body positivity is a movement that celebrates and embraces bodies of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. It encourages self-love, self-acceptance, and a shift away from harmful beauty standards. Body positivity does not promote unhealthy body composition, but instead allows people the space to feel confident in their body no matter shape, size or weight that they are.

Yes, obesity and people who are very, very thin are at a higher risk for health complications. But it is important to approach people with love and empathy first, instead of shaming them simply based on the shape of their body.

So many factors can lead to someone being obese, in the same way that many factors lead to someone being extremely thin. As a society we have to start giving people grace and not making snap judgments about them simply based on their size. This is what the body positivity movement. is trying to achieve. Let’s all start from a place of positivity, so that someone’s body shape is the only thing we see when we see them.

The Dark Side of Fitness Standards

The fitness industry often promotes unrealistic ideals, which can lead to:

• Body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem.
• Dangerous dieting and exercise habits.
• Mental health issues, including eating disorders.

When I worked as a personal trainer I saw it all. Negative self-talk, fatphobic language around diet, and extreme dieting, all of which lead many of my clients to lack confidence in their bodies. This was heartbreaking for me and was one of my greatest challenges as a PT. What they saw when they saw me was someone who was in shape and therefore “had it easy” so of course I could promote self-love because I had the body they would love to have.

What they didn’t see is that I struggled with my own body dysmorphia every day. I had tried every diet that graced the front of magazines. I had also suffered from a trauma in my late teens that caused me to gain a lot of weight in university, and created a physical armour to protect myself and that forced me to face my own fatphobia.

It wasn’t until I ditched all of the old fatphobic, “workout to be skinny” and “eat to lose weight” mindsets that I found some semblance of freedom and joy in exercise. Exercising became a way to see what my body was capable of, and eating was something I had to do to fuel those workouts. Being constantly amazed by what my body was capable of helped me love my body – and it didn’t matter what shape it was. That’s the message I was hoping to convey to my clients, but unfortunately, they just assumed the way I looked came easily, so buying into my self-love and empowerment ideas wasn’t always easy for them.

Inclusivity is the Foundation of Body Positivity

Body positivity creates a more inclusive fitness environment by:

• Welcoming individuals of all body types into the fitness space.
• Encouraging exercise for health and well-being rather than solely for superficial or vain incentives.
• Fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance.

When you allow yourself to shift your mindset in the gym from “Will this help me lose weight” to “Let’s see what my body can do today” it opens up so many more avenues for enjoyment in the gym (or however you like to move your body). Science tells us that physical activity plays an important role in improving mental health, and increases the likelihood of living a long and physically independent life. By letting everyone know that all bodies are capable of experiencing the benefits of exercise, instead of reserving it for people who look a certain way, we are creating a society where more people feel empowered to pursue a physically active life without shame.

Mental and Emotional Benefits

I’ve alluded to this already, but body positivity promotes mental and emotional well-being:

• Improved self-confidence and body image.
• Reduced stress and anxiety.
• A healthier relationship with exercise and nutrition.

I mentioned before that I tried the diets and I also went through a period of my life where I did not feel comfortable in my body. In those years I would avoid social outings if I felt too fat for it. I would use my knowledge of extreme dieting techniques to try and lose a lot of weight before events and social gatherings. I would feel so trapped by the feelings of being not enough simply because I was unhappy with my body or I ate something unhealthy that day and it was exhausting. Especially when I have so much more to offer than just my physical shape.

The freedom that I feel now that I live a life where I see myself in the mirror and always remind myself “You are enough, just the way you are” is something I wish upon everyone and I wish more professionals in the fitness industry would adopt this as well.

Fitness Goals and Body Positivity

You can pursue fitness goals within a body-positive framework:

• Shift the focus from appearance to health and performance.
• Set realistic and sustainable fitness goals.
• Embrace the joy of movement and celebrate fitness achievements.

This is where my “do something good for your body today” mantra came from. It isn’t about exercising to look a certain way or to punish yourself. It isn’t about being restrictive with food to force your body into starvation mode. If you just focus on doing one good thing for your body, whether that’s good sleep, a walk, a workout, nourishing your body, or giving yourself a self-care day, you just have to show your body a little love every day.

Representation in the Industry

The fitness industry needs greater diversity and representation:

• Highlight stories and successes of individuals from various backgrounds.
• Encourage trainers and instructors of all body types.
• Challenge harmful stereotypes in fitness marketing.

Helping people achieve fitness goals can co-exist with body positivity. In fact, I believe the best. way to help people achieve their fitness goals is to teach them why their body is amazing and then show them how they can unlock the incredible potential of their body through strength training and nutrition education.

Conclusion

I hope that this article has helped you see how body positivity is not only a powerful movement but also a necessary one in the fitness industry. It’s a reminder that health and fitness should be inclusive, uplifting, and supportive of all individuals, regardless of their body shape or size.

As you embark on your fitness journey, remember that body positivity matters. Embrace the uniqueness of your body, set realistic goals, and prioritize health and happiness above all else. In doing so, you’ll find greater fulfillment and lasting success in your fitness pursuits.