By now, you all know about my love for Classpass– the program that allows you access to hundreds of workout classes and studios around the city. I’m nearing my 100th class, and I truly can’t imagine my life without it.
With that said, however, there is one thing I would change about my experience…and it has little to do with the program itself.
I’ve been to 96 classes, many of which I attended alone. That means, as a friendly and outgoing person, I had approximately 85-90 opportunities to work out and meet new people… but that has never been the case.
Admittedly, what drives me to class is not the chance to make friends, and yes, the downfall of Classpass is that you’re not consistently going to the same studio. But here’s what troubles me…
On a daily basis, I’m surrounded by like-minded women with similar goals and yet I don’t feel like we’re on the same team.
I look around grunting faces at barre and I fear I’m being judged. I head into my Pilates class and I feel insecure if I’m not wearing Lululemon. I sing out loud to a song in my spin class, and instead of getting smiles I get stares.
It is ENTIRELY possible that I’m a smelly weirdo and everyone’s hanging out with me. Maybe there’s a blog post somewhere about the weird girl in a tank top from Kohl’s who sings in spin class. I truly don’t know, but I have a gut feeling I’m not the only one who feels this way when they work out.
My blog posts are often about being kinder to ourselves, but this time, I ask that we be try to be kinder to each other.
Instead of inspecting what each classmate is wearing, achieving or not achieving, let’s appreciate the fact that they, too, took time out of their busy week for the same reason you did. Maybe they, too, could use a warm smile and for someone to telling them they’re kicking ass.
The need for more kindness extends beyond workout classes, but for now, I think we should start there. Maybe next time you hit the gym, you’ll try to give a stranger a smile… perhaps even a high five or words of encouragement. You risk getting a dirty look and someone thinking you’re weird, but the pay off is SO. MUCH. BETTER. Maybe you’re the reason someone doesn’t give up.
I hope you’ll build up the courage to give it a try, and I hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the outcome!
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