Shaping Up: Why community is becoming the biggest fitness trend
For years, people joined gyms because they wanted to lose weight, get fitter, or build muscle.
Those things are still important, but I think something else has become just as valuable.
People want to feel like they belong.
More and more people are looking for somewhere they enjoy going, where people know their name, encourage them, and make them feel welcome.
That is one of the biggest changes I have seen in fitness over the last few years.
The workout is only part of it.
Think about it. It is much easier to get out of bed for a class when you know your friends will be there. It is easier to keep going when someone notices if you have not been for a while. It is easier to push yourself when the people around you are cheering you on.
That sense of community can make all the difference.
It is one of the reasons running clubs, walking groups and group fitness classes have become so popular.
People enjoy the social side just as much as the exercise.
It is also why so many people stick with fitness for longer. They are no longer just turning up for a workout. They are spending time with people they genuinely enjoy being around.
At East Coast Fitness, community has always been a huge part of what we do.
Last weekend we had around 25 members over to our house for our annual summer get together. We had a few beers, plenty of food, and loads of laughs. It had nothing to do with fitness, but it reminded me why our community is so special.
People who first met in a boot camp class are now close friends. Some go walking together, some meet for coffee, and others even go on nights out together.
That is something you cannot measure on a set of scales.
Fitness has the power to bring people together.
It helps build confidence, friendships, and support as well as stronger bodies.
If you have ever struggled to stay motivated on your own, maybe it is not another workout plan you need.
Maybe you just need the right people around you.
Being part of a supportive community makes it easier to stay consistent because people encourage you on the good days and pick you up on the difficult ones.
Yes, you will get fitter.
Yes, you will get stronger.
But you might also make a few great friends along the way.
For me, that is what fitness should be all about.
If you are looking for somewhere to get fitter and be part of a great community, why not come and see what East Coast Fitness is all about?
We offer a 7 day trial for just £10, giving you unlimited access to our outdoor boot camps, fitness classes, and private gym. It is a great way to meet the members, experience the atmosphere, and see why so many people stay with us for years.
Sometimes all it takes is finding the right people to help you get started.
WORKOUT
Team Up Challenge
Everything feels a little easier when someone is doing it with you. Grab a friend, partner or family member and tackle this workout together. Encourage each other and have a laugh along the way.
Format
One person works while the other rests.
40 seconds work.
20 seconds to swap over.
Complete all five exercises before repeating for a second round.
I always advise a light warm up before you start and a good stretch afterwards.
Exercises
Bodyweight Squats
Press Ups
Alternating Reverse Lunges
Plank Hold
High Knees
Working out with other people is not just more enjoyable, it also helps keep you motivated and accountable. Sometimes the best results come from having the right people beside you.
RECIPE
Air Fryer Sweet Chilli Salmon Bites
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets, cut into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic granules
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
250g microwave basmati rice
150g tenderstem broccoli
Method
Mix the sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce and garlic granules together.
Coat the salmon pieces in the sauce.
Cook in the air fryer at 200°C for 8 to 10 minutes.
Steam the broccoli and heat the rice according to the packet instructions.
Serve the salmon over the rice with the broccoli and sprinkle over the sesame seeds.
A simple meal packed with protein and perfect after an evening workout.