One of my favorite things about training is the feeling of freedom it can give you. If you’re a runner or cyclist, this can manifest itself quite literally: the open road ahead of you, the little dot behind you marking the distance you’ve traveled. But it’s not just about physics be free. A good run, a solid strength session, or a sweaty HIIT workout can change your perspective, opening your mind to the possibilities of not only what your body is capable of, but also the world around you.
That being said, for many, the world of fitness can be far more restrictive than liberating. In gyms, on social media, and in other fitness spaces, the emphasis on the appearance of our bodies can make it difficult for those whose bodies do not conform to narrowly defined standards to feel good about themselves. feel in their place. For too long, people with larger bodies have faced limitations, judgment, and bullying in spaces designed to help us all reach our potential.
That’s why I’m so excited to introduce our first editorial package of 2022, the The future of fitness Issue. In the articles and essays in this digital issue, when we talk about the future, we’re not talking about the latest fitness trackers or streaming workout equipment. We’re talking about people changing the landscape of an industry that, for too long, has excluded many. In recent years, thanks to the body positivity movement as well as other thoughtful explorations that have challenged complacent ideas about weight and size, we have seen a significant shift in the way we discuss bodies taller. But fitness spaces can be a final frontier in a particular form of body discrimination, where anti-fat bias and weight stigma are ingrained in our collective understanding of what it means to be “fit.” It is time to free ourselves from this limited vision. The future of fitness is about creating a space where everyone feels welcome. So in this package, we celebrate the people who help us get there.
For the digital issue, we teamed up with an activist, yogi, and fearless fitness personality. Jessamyn Stanley, who is our January cover star. Stanley has been a champion of yoga for years and I have been a fan of her work for a long time. Stanley and photographer Beth Garrabrant do an incredible job illustrating the issue’s feature article, by journalist and author Kelsey Miller. The Unrelenting Reality of Anti-Fat in Fitness. This is a perfectly researched story about how deeply our fitness ideals are rooted in the fight against obesity. You can also see Stanley among our first SELF Advisory Council on the Future of Fitness 2022 members; For this year’s course, we’ve chosen 10 trainers and experts who are working hard to end the anti-fat stigma in the fitness world to make gyms, clubs, and the wellness world at large much more welcoming to all. And Stanley, one of our regular SELF columnists, has also written some great tips on practical ways trainers, gym owners, and other fitness professionals can practice meaningful alliance with fat in his article. 6 Ways Fitness Instructors Can Check Their Anti-Fat Bias.
