Regarding personal training (which I started due to my insecurity about doing strength work correctly): My trainer is not an anti-diet, weight inclusive guy. Before I started working with him, I told him that I was working with him to get stronger but I didn’t want to discuss weight, burning calories, etc. He has honored that request fully and is still super encouraging, helpful, and positive about my work with him.
That is FANTASTIC to hear. It’s funny; I often experience the inverse — a prospective client reaches out and asks for help losing weight, and I have to very gently and non-judgmentally explain why I can’t provide support with that.
OMG, that is so nice. I do like to think that if I can just provide a really great experience, and achieve my own goals for them (basically, helping them feel stronger and more comfortable in their bodies), it might provide at least a small window into how awesome a body-neutral approach to fitness can be. I don't get preachy (other than probably unintentionally/mildly in these intake conversations) but I hope it might help them get curious about a different approach!
Lift with Sohee is great for intermediate-advanced folks who want a program that offers both in home and gym versions and she doesn't use before & after photos. Monthly workouts for I think $30 a month.
Right now I also like the 10 minute core program from getmomstrong for $9.99 a month. It's geared toward pregnant or postpartum folks but I think others could find it useful too. Don't love that she uses before and after photos and shows her kids online all the time.
My current fave is a YT channel called Improved Health, ostensibly aimed at seniors but great for beginners too. I'm working my way through her Strength Training for Beginners programme and really enjoying it! Sadly some of her videos mention weight loss right in the title, but I just avoid those, there's still a lot of other stuff to work through.
Came here to say MommaStrong! Could never say enough good things about that program. And a really excellent anti-diet, mental health is relevant, you are enough, actually functional focus kind of vibe.
I'm still working on Couch to 5k - my little group has had a busy summer so we've just been holding steady rather than moving on to the next step. It'll happen.
I like the FitOn app for workout videos, as it's free. I also love Les Mills, particularly Pump and Combat, but you now have to subscribe as the DVD versions are no longer available.
I have access to Hinge Health through work, but I've avoided it for fear of strong diet culture and guilt/shame messaging. Do you have a feel for how they rate on the non-diet side of things?
That's a great question, Tiffany. Speaking only as me, not at all as a representative for the company, I can say that the exercise therapy content (AKA the exercises and cues!) is free of diet culture and guilt/shame messaging (I know, because I've written the audio for pretty much the entire exercise library, ha). I've also used the app myself for some knee and elbow issues, and while there were helpful nudges and reminders from my health coach and PT, none of them felt guilt- or shame-laden. However, I couldn't say for sure that the entire experience would be free of any mention of weight or calories — you may run across some articles or other content here or there, though I'm not sure how much of it is out there. BUT: You do have direct contact with, again, a health coach and PT, and you could let them know that you prefer to avoid any messaging like that — I'm sure they would be open to it, and if they weren't, you could ask customer support to switch to a different provider.
I do think it is a GREAT way to get access to a PT, do really helpful exercises, and improve symptoms — it is so nice that you can do everything from home and don't have to schlep to appointments etc. They even have a pelvic health program, which is amazing!
Thanks for your take, that's really helpful. I know individual mileage may vary, but your experience sounds promising! I had assumed a program sponsored by my corporate job would be all the same unhelpful platitudes I've always heard, but what you're describing is very different than what I imagined. I may give it a try after all!
Definitely report back. I think it’s worth trying — after all, it’s free to you! Certainly go in knowing that it’s possible there may be some of that messaging in there, but the focus overall should be on symptom reduction and functional movement :-)
I used Hinge Health for an issue with my elbow, it was great for a minor nagging injury. We started with stretches and built up to strength training (resistance bands, pushups planks) pretty quickly. It went really well and was super easy to use.
This was just the push I needed to get out of my work-from-home desk chair and do some wall pushups, crunches, planks and lunges! Simple and effective!
Yes, it’s that time of year at our studio too, though our “high season” starts in October when our Snowbirds usually return to Phoenix. (January is our second peak.)
In general, I’m a community person and love to do things with other people, but for some reason, with exercise in this season of my life (I’m 55), I am drawn to doing it solo and making it more of a practice than a chore. And keeping it really simple, something I can do anywhere.
Peloton also has many walking and running workouts, indoor and outdoor, for people who want to be talked through their exercise, as well as several running "programs" to provide even more structure. I like the You Can Run program as a refresher course on technique and a way to give my workouts a sense of purpose when I don't have the time or energy for long or hard efforts.
I've gotten back into Barre3's virtual workouts and it's been a nice reintroduction to regular movement. They have videos that are 10 and 15 minutes and after one of those, my body feels both looser and more energized. It's a great feeling!
I love that. Personally, when I have a super-busy day but am determined to squeeze in a workout, I often go for a 10–15 minute barre class. I always feel better afterwards. Barre isn't necessarily my favorite workout modality all-around but it really hits the spot sometimes.
Regarding personal training (which I started due to my insecurity about doing strength work correctly): My trainer is not an anti-diet, weight inclusive guy. Before I started working with him, I told him that I was working with him to get stronger but I didn’t want to discuss weight, burning calories, etc. He has honored that request fully and is still super encouraging, helpful, and positive about my work with him.
That is FANTASTIC to hear. It’s funny; I often experience the inverse — a prospective client reaches out and asks for help losing weight, and I have to very gently and non-judgmentally explain why I can’t provide support with that.
They’re lucky to have you, even if they don’t realize it!
OMG, that is so nice. I do like to think that if I can just provide a really great experience, and achieve my own goals for them (basically, helping them feel stronger and more comfortable in their bodies), it might provide at least a small window into how awesome a body-neutral approach to fitness can be. I don't get preachy (other than probably unintentionally/mildly in these intake conversations) but I hope it might help them get curious about a different approach!
Lift with Sohee is great for intermediate-advanced folks who want a program that offers both in home and gym versions and she doesn't use before & after photos. Monthly workouts for I think $30 a month.
Right now I also like the 10 minute core program from getmomstrong for $9.99 a month. It's geared toward pregnant or postpartum folks but I think others could find it useful too. Don't love that she uses before and after photos and shows her kids online all the time.
Ooh I'm glad to hear this. Such a Sohee fan but haven't tried her programming!
My current fave is a YT channel called Improved Health, ostensibly aimed at seniors but great for beginners too. I'm working my way through her Strength Training for Beginners programme and really enjoying it! Sadly some of her videos mention weight loss right in the title, but I just avoid those, there's still a lot of other stuff to work through.
I'm a fan of mommastrong.com
Came here to say MommaStrong! Could never say enough good things about that program. And a really excellent anti-diet, mental health is relevant, you are enough, actually functional focus kind of vibe.
I'm still working on Couch to 5k - my little group has had a busy summer so we've just been holding steady rather than moving on to the next step. It'll happen.
I like the FitOn app for workout videos, as it's free. I also love Les Mills, particularly Pump and Combat, but you now have to subscribe as the DVD versions are no longer available.
Ooh I forgot about FitOn. It is really good too!
I have access to Hinge Health through work, but I've avoided it for fear of strong diet culture and guilt/shame messaging. Do you have a feel for how they rate on the non-diet side of things?
That's a great question, Tiffany. Speaking only as me, not at all as a representative for the company, I can say that the exercise therapy content (AKA the exercises and cues!) is free of diet culture and guilt/shame messaging (I know, because I've written the audio for pretty much the entire exercise library, ha). I've also used the app myself for some knee and elbow issues, and while there were helpful nudges and reminders from my health coach and PT, none of them felt guilt- or shame-laden. However, I couldn't say for sure that the entire experience would be free of any mention of weight or calories — you may run across some articles or other content here or there, though I'm not sure how much of it is out there. BUT: You do have direct contact with, again, a health coach and PT, and you could let them know that you prefer to avoid any messaging like that — I'm sure they would be open to it, and if they weren't, you could ask customer support to switch to a different provider.
I do think it is a GREAT way to get access to a PT, do really helpful exercises, and improve symptoms — it is so nice that you can do everything from home and don't have to schlep to appointments etc. They even have a pelvic health program, which is amazing!
Thanks for your take, that's really helpful. I know individual mileage may vary, but your experience sounds promising! I had assumed a program sponsored by my corporate job would be all the same unhelpful platitudes I've always heard, but what you're describing is very different than what I imagined. I may give it a try after all!
Definitely report back. I think it’s worth trying — after all, it’s free to you! Certainly go in knowing that it’s possible there may be some of that messaging in there, but the focus overall should be on symptom reduction and functional movement :-)
I used Hinge Health for an issue with my elbow, it was great for a minor nagging injury. We started with stretches and built up to strength training (resistance bands, pushups planks) pretty quickly. It went really well and was super easy to use.
This was just the push I needed to get out of my work-from-home desk chair and do some wall pushups, crunches, planks and lunges! Simple and effective!
Ahh that's so awesome. Yay!
Yes, it’s that time of year at our studio too, though our “high season” starts in October when our Snowbirds usually return to Phoenix. (January is our second peak.)
Programs I recommend:
Katy Bowman, Biomechanist: https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/
Lauren Ohayon, Womens’ health https://m.youtube.com/user/holyshiftyoga
I’m enjoying the FitBod app for simple weight training workouts. I’m on the free trial, but I am thinking about paying for it. On my off days I’m doing this run-walk plan: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/5k-run/art-20050962
In general, I’m a community person and love to do things with other people, but for some reason, with exercise in this season of my life (I’m 55), I am drawn to doing it solo and making it more of a practice than a chore. And keeping it really simple, something I can do anywhere.
Peloton also has many walking and running workouts, indoor and outdoor, for people who want to be talked through their exercise, as well as several running "programs" to provide even more structure. I like the You Can Run program as a refresher course on technique and a way to give my workouts a sense of purpose when I don't have the time or energy for long or hard efforts.
Ohh I've heard good things about these programs too.
I've gotten back into Barre3's virtual workouts and it's been a nice reintroduction to regular movement. They have videos that are 10 and 15 minutes and after one of those, my body feels both looser and more energized. It's a great feeling!
I love that. Personally, when I have a super-busy day but am determined to squeeze in a workout, I often go for a 10–15 minute barre class. I always feel better afterwards. Barre isn't necessarily my favorite workout modality all-around but it really hits the spot sometimes.