Taking Pride in physical fitness – Philadelphia Gay News

On June 1-2, Philly Fitness Pride is hosting a city-wide kickoff event at area gyms, including Barry’s and Cyclebar, to raise money for the Mazzoni Center. It is a great opportunity to do something good for your body and for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Nowadays, fitness is less important for looking good and more valued for feeling good. 

“Sitting is the new smoking,” and the mental and physical benefits of activity can create healthier mind and body issues. As Dylan Van Duyne, an out coach at Barry’s gym in Center City, tells his clients, “Movement is medicine,” adding, “If it feels like a chore, you do not build good habits. You need buy-in.”

Matthew Shaw, an out yoga instructor at the Fitler Club who also runs a livestream platform and hosts international yoga retreats (matthewshawyoga.com), concurs, “Exercise is an asset to our lives. We should treat exercise or fitness not as a punishment, but as part of our daily lifestyle. Thinking ‘I had a hamburger last night, so I have to work out as a punishment,’ sets up a really bad feedback loop.”

He emphasizes the benefits of yoga, explaining, “It is a whole body and whole mind experience. You will sweat, strengthen, lengthen, tone, and sculpt and get the benefits of self-regulation and self-awareness. Yoga is at its core, breathwork with the addition of movement. That combination allows us to be more present and regulate our body and minds.”

Likewise, Parker Lloyd, a nonbinary coach at Barry’s as well as Strength Haus in South Philly, says, “If you just did a goblet squat so you can carry your groceries without worrying about putting your back out, these heavy lifts improve your everyday life. When you are more mobile, you don’t fear twisting the wrong way. [Lifting] makes you more resilient outside of the gym. It is also a way to alleviate stress in everyday life, especially for women and queer people.”

But it can be hard to get motivated. Caleb Porter, an out coach at BPM Fitness in Fairmount and KG Strong in South Philly, “Even trainers don’t always want to go and be physical. It’s the after feeling. When I don’t want to go, it is when I need to go. Pride in my body comes in the sense of gratitude and being able to test my body and see what it can do. When I hit a goal as simple as maintaining steps, that is motivation to keep going. Missing one day is not going to set you back, step over the bump and keep pushing.”

Lloyd suggests, “I think it’s important to find a workout that speaks to you. It has to be fun and something that excites you. It’s not going because you have to move — that’s not motivating — it’s loving what you are doing.”

Mike Peterson, an out gay spin instructor at Cyclebar in Center City, concurs, “On the days I work out, I feel better. When I didn’t do activity, I felt sluggish, anxious, or maybe even depressed. I don’t overdo it, but I prioritize fitness. I have off days, but I do try to get some level of physical activity in each day.”

Setting a schedule is key to success. Most people are successful if they stick to a fitness plan routine. Class Pass offers many gym options to visit to find trainers and classes that can work with most schedules. In addition, fees for canceling classes provide incentives to go — because it is always easier not to go.

Porter champions the benefits of putting the effort in up front. 

“When is an appropriate time for me to do this? Can you commit to going 4-5 times a week? If you set a goal and you don’t hit that goal, you have a bad taste in your mouth,” Porter said. “I have to find a way to put physical activity in my life.” 

According to Shaw, group fitness also has the added benefit of being, “One of the very few places where adults can develop lasting deep relationships. You already have something in common with the other person there.”

Van Duyne appreciates group fitness classes, stating, “There is something about being in a room full of people, that collective energy and camaraderie. It is a community.”

Porter insists, “In group fitness, no one is looking at you working out. But you also feel you can’t slack off. It’s a form of accountability, which ties back into a sense of community, which can be extremely uplifting.”

It is also important, especially for queer folks, to feel safe and welcome in gyms. Lloyd describes Strength Haus as, “Probably the queerest space I have worked in. It is not gay cis bros. If a queer dive bar was a gym, that’s Strength Haus.” 

They continued, “Advertising being a queer-friendly space is about the human connection. It is making people feel seen as themselves. This is a service-based industry and we have to be in service of people and come from a place of understanding.”

Shaw agrees. “As LGBTQ people, we need to feel we are not judged and safe and at home. It goes back to the feeling when you walk in a space, do you feel you are welcome?”

Van Duyne also thinks that LGBTQ people need to consider, “What is the right gym, or group fitness class? Barry’s is specific as a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ people. Their CEO is gay. If I don’t feel comfortable in your class as queer person, or I don’t feel your beliefs are supportive of me and my community, I will be less likely to take your class. I want to feel that as I walk into the room, this is a space for me.“

Peterson explained that at Cyclebar, “We have an LGBTQ flag hanging in the window outside the studio. It’s a nice welcoming indicator for any business. Our Class Pass website ad on social media indicates we are an LGBTQ-friendly studio. In Pride month, we promote LGBTQ businesses and do charity rides.” In addition, one of Cyclebar’s managers hosted a ride to raise money for a trans friend’s surgery.

BPM also offers Pride events, and Porter says, “If you walk into BPM, its transparent that we are accepting of each and every body,”

Likewise, Barry’s goes all out during Pride month with decorations and classes, which can encourage folks to go to an LGBTQ workout.

Having an out trainer can also make a difference or help someone get motivated to keep working out. Peterson claims, “I am very forward with my sexual identity.  Being your authentic self will allow [clients] to feel comfortable and approachable. More times than I can count, things I talk about resonate with someone and they will say, ‘That’s what I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself.’ You never know who you will make feel better about something that might have initially seemed scary.”

Van Duyne says he is also very open about his identity on the mic and on social media. “I like to make clients feel included, and this is not an insular, clique-y, or overwhelming gym or class.In contrast, Lloyd says that while being nonbinary “Is a part of who I am, and very important to me,” in the gym they “like to have fun and inspire people to dance and lift heavy shit and feel good. Being queer is important, but did you have good time, and feel safe and strong and heard? If so, awesome!”