It is clear that what inspires people most in exercising is either to keep fit or to build a toned body based upon their body ideal perception. Some may simply want to stay healthy or feel better by practicing sport. However, it is not always easy to stay on track and stay motivated everytime. Therefore, engaging in a physical activity sometimes requires having a powerful motivator.

These days, digital exercise has emerged as a trend among workout communities. Many sites and social media platforms are now promoting collective exercise sessions, which include online fitness classes. This was partly popularized by Kayla Itsines, an Australian personal trainer-turned influencer known for having inspired many women through digital exercise community. This thirty-year young woman trainer has 12.9 million Instagram followers and 30 million others on the Sweat app. She is known for her ability to harness social media to promote her brand. Today, she has her own social media followership branded as the Sweat with Kayla community – formerly BBG community. Kayla’s goal was to create a unique online exercise community for women where she could share her insight on exercising well. In fact, she focuses more on “how people feel rather than how they look”. That is why the program she offers aims at building a strong sisterhood where followers encourage and support each other to motivate and inspire all users to exercise.

A study made by two researchers named Kim Toffoletti and Holly Thorpe, while following closely Kayla and analyzing 155 women within the BBG community, shows that these women are proud and satisfied. They post their photos with happy and smiling faces on Instagram with hashtags #BBG, #thekaylamovement, #kaylasarmy, and #bbggirls to portray their sense of pleasure and pride. For these exercisers living in different places, belonging to the same encouraging community makes them more motivated in their workout journey.

Currently, online fitness community has gained much importance and has become a powerful motivator for fitness lovers. People feel both the need to keep fit and interact with others. Practicing collective exercises have always been of a huge benefit and power; in a way that it allows exercisers to share the same feeling towards attaining similar goals. Similarly, it can create a sense of belonging, commitment, support, and teamwork. There is no better feeling than sharing camaraderie while working hard along one’s weight loss journey. The pandemic has increased the need to connect digitally, fostering virtual workout community. Being in a community, whether it is in-person or digital, can always help motivate members and make positive changes to their health and fitness. The virtual support network is highly valuable and powerful especially in creating an environment of support.

An online community of fitness enthusiasts not only does help people to feel less lonely or depressed, but also to support them in reaching their shared fitness goals.

Sources: Psychology Today/ Today