“Here's to Strong Women. May We Know Them, May We Be Them, May We Raise Them”
 |
| Instagram: @sklum.welovedesign |
Today is International Women’s Day, and the theme this year is #ChooseToChallenge. After months of feeling uninspired, this theme got me thinking and I decided that the portrayal of women in the fitness industry is what needs to be addressed.
It’s no secret that
during the outbreak of Coronavirus “community interest in exercise surged immediately
following the lockdown.” Many people took this new found time to work on
themselves, and for some this marked the beginning of their fitness journey -
including my own.
As the daily
usage of Instagram crept up to an embarrassing amount over lockdown, this resulted in close observation
of female influencers dominating feeds with fitness content. It will be
interesting to see whether this surge of influence will transcend into gyms
across the country once lockdown lifts. Those ladies that have developed a new
found love for working out, whatever that may be, we need you out here with the
barbell lifting heavy, or training your upper body with confidence. Now don’t
get me wrong, the progress in gender inclusivity in this industry has improved massively,
but we’re not there yet. It was only until recently that if you did anything
other than Pilates or Yoga it would be considered ‘unladylike’…
 |
| Instagram: @sklum.welovedesign |
Women are heavily influenced by the ladies they 1. Surround themselves with and 2. The women they look up to. Today much of this inspiration comes from influencers.
Fitness influencers
have taken social media by storm, some have had their careers peak during
lockdown. With Coronavirus giving them a huge advantage over the past year, platforms
like Instagram and TikTok have enabled a place that is easily accessible and
offers free content - completely changing the game, and for many creating a
safe environment for people to workout in the comfort of their own home. Because
of this instantaneous, accessible nature it’s like having your own personal
trainer with no cost.
Krissy Cela Co-founder and CEO of fitness app Tone and Sculpt and activewear brand Oner Active is an inspiration to many, and is using her online platform to bring women together through fitness. Preaching nothing but hard work, dedication and to “do this for you", Krissy teaches there are no quick fixes and that women owe it to themselves to move their body. She is changing the way women themselves view fitness, and teaching that it shouldn't always be about looking a certain way, but feeling a certain way.
A new trainer and athlete Danyele Wilson was recently introduced to the Tone and Sculpt team. Danyele has openly discussed
feelings of insecurity around her physique, despite her strength and
beauty. Together these women are changing the attitude towards females in
fitness and challenging the out-dated values of this male dominated industry. From
this Krissy has built a community of thousands of women who lift each other up,
supporting one another on their fitness journey’s day in, day out and it’s inspiring
to see.
 |
| Instagram: @toneandsculptapp |
Not only is this type of content is refreshing to find, these values and the pure honest intentions of companies like Tone and Sculpt I feel are the start of this change. The representation of women in sport and fitness has always been one to challenge, and with the continuation of communities built on this type of ethos it will be nothing but revolutionary for women everywhere.
The women like Krissy
Cela and many other influencers out there, are women who are not afraid to flaunt
their strength and commitment to their craft and that is not something to shy
away from, but to be celebrated. Fitness related or not - shine with passion
and strength with everything you do.
It’s time to push boundaries
and #ChooseToChallange. The only way change can happen is in numbers so; Here’s
to strong women. May we know them, may we be them and may we raise them. -
Happy International Women’s Day!
Links
0 Comments