Better Bodies, Better Minds: In Partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association
We believe in the power of exercise! From yoga stretches and soothing meditation, to strengthening our inner and outer resilience through cardio and weightlifting, working out can aid our mental health, as well as our physical fitness.
If you’re a Fitness World member already, you know that we value our community, and strive to reach out to all of the wonderful people in and around Vancouver.
This May, we’re so proud to partner with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), to help everyone who needs a little mental TLC receive quality assistance.
Read on to learn more about how exercise can improve mental health, our passion for this work and an exciting virtual yogathletics event coming up on May 19th!
The Mind-Body Connection
In our recent blog on Exercise and Mental Health we got all excited about the science behind exercise, and how it can improve our overall wellbeing. To recap, exercise releases endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, and reduces cortisol levels. These chemicals impact our mood, and exercise can help reduce anxiety and depression.
It’s been a long year, and the pandemic has led to loneliness, anxiety and depression for many of us, even those who have never experienced such symptoms before. Having a gym membership, class to attend or regular exercise schedule can keep us motivated, as well as boost our well-being with the endorphins and chemicals that make us feel good. Setting goals and beating personal bests can also empower us, and boost our self-esteem, through pride in our achievements.
It’s more important than ever that we protect our minds and bodies with day-to-day habits that empower us.
Book a free personal training session to define your goals, and find the best way to meet them.
TV Fame with the CMHA
You might have seen our CEO, Chris Smith, on CTV News recently, sharing his passion for exercise and mental wellbeing.
Of course, our partnership with CMHA is a big deal for us! We’re so proud to be associated with this wonderful organization. If you missed it the first time around, you can still see Chris’s moments of fame online.
In the first interview, you’ll get a sneak peak of our clubs and hear what Robert Fisher from the Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser branch has to say about the importance of staying active.
In his second interview, Chris was even more passionate. We couldn’t have been prouder to hear him share his thoughts and inspire us:
“It’s not about how much you accomplish in the gym, how much cardio or weight you move, it’s about the fact that you are there.”
Chris encourages everyone to never give up. Making a behavioral change is about small steps. The world can be an overwhelming place, and there’s no need to focus on extreme goals or dramatic changes. Instead, we can do what we can to protect our mental and physical health now.
Chris explained that Fitness World is part of the healthcare continuum; we’re proud to be an organization that has stepped up to make the gym a safe space to attend, and offer virtual classes to those still staying at home.
If you live in or around Vancouver, there’s bound to be a Fitness World location nearby, where you can stop by, say hello, or grab a free pass to see if you’d like to become a member.
Giving Back to the Community: Our Virtual Yogathletic Event
“Better Bodies, Better Minds” is our upcoming event, held in partnership with the CMHA and hosted by Vancouver-based yoga instructor, influencer and new mom, Cam Lee.
We invite you to join us on May 19th to explore the mind-body connection through this online yogathletics class.
Best of all, 100% of donations will go to the Canadian Mental Health Association. It’s a win-win event for everyone!
Wondering what yogathletics is? Take a look at some low impact exercises from our Fitness Class Director Ingrid, as she works out with CTV News presenter Krissy Vann.
Sign up for virtual yogathletics fun in aid of CMHA now! We can’t wait to work out with you.
Share in our excitement as we get ready for this event by following us on Instagram. We love to see your workout selfies, so don’t forget to tag us in your posts and use hashtags #FitnessWorldCanada and #FitnessWorldBC.