How Fitness and Growth Mindset are Aligned

If you’re not living under a rock, you’ve likely heard rumors of the ‘fit versus fat’ controversy between Jillian Michaels (a respected personal trainer and health expert) and Lizzo (a rising name in the music industry who boldly raps about her body and badassery). It is currently being debated whether or not Lizzo’s body positivity movement is, in fact, “unhealthy”. While Jillian stands by her response that she doesn’t celebrate anyone’s weight (no matter the numbers), she wants it to be known that “Your weight and your size have no bearing or merit on your value, your beauty, your worth, your ability.”

While we don’t want to get into a battle between either of these incredible women or their spins on body shaming vs. body positivity, we did want to drop in and share that BOTH ladies are right – respectively. There are obviously physical benefits to working out, but fitness is for more than just your figure. It’s all about the growth mindset, which is, growing as a person intrinsically over simply working out (which can supersede the numbers on the scale anyway!)

Here, we share how group fitness classes and growth mindset are aligned and complement your lifestyle in multiple facets; body and brain!

First and foremost, the #1 reason women are hitting up the group fitness classes has nothing to do with weight and everything to do with welfare. That is, their health and happiness. When you are involved in physical activity, your body literally creates chemicals that can help you feel good. Talk about body positivity!

Physical activity stimulates the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Beyond that, endorphins (which activate the body’s opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect), also release when you exercise. This is what having chemistry with your cardio is all about!

Nevermind the number on the scales or the BMI scores. What you really want (and crave) is a healthy and hefty increase in self-confidence. Think confidence is just aesthetics? Think again! Exercise helps you to feel better physically and mentally, helping you to develop a positive attitude and the emotional stamina needed to take on personal goals.

Personal goals extend far beyond a weight loss journey and well into other important areas of your life. Goals that you stick all over your vision boards and to-do lists. Exercise is all about setting and achieving a series of goals. With each fun group fitness class you attend, you’re promoting a sense of accomplishment that carries into more of the same, fruitful habit behaviors. With every goal you bank, you boost confidence.

There’s a unique dynamic that only group fitness classes bring. One that gives a sense of belonging to its fellow attendees. Feeling that you belong is critically important in seeing the value in life and in coping with everyday stress or challenging seasons. A growth mindset is stronger when you connect to social circles in pursuit of the same goal.

Fortunately, we know the importance of group exercise. We see proof of this daily in our downtown Tucson location, but science also backs it! A small study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that people who took group exercise classes reported less stress and more physical, emotional and mental health benefits than those who exercised alone or did not attend a fitness location at all.

Exercise feeds your brain by delivering oxygen and nutrients to it, which improves cognitive functioning. Enjoy more concentration, energy, and alertness when you join fellow Tucson residents commuting to and from their downtown work location to participate in any one of our weekday group classes. Go from cubicle to class and give your brain the workout it has been longing for.

So, what are you waiting for? Likely, us! And we are here, locally, to boost your brainpower, confidence, friendships, and mood! Check out our new member specials and stop by for a tour of our facility.