Why Joyful Movement Is The Future Of Fitness
One of the strongest wellness conversations right now is around sustainability and enjoyment in fitness. People are moving away from punishing workouts and towards movement they genuinely enjoy.
For years, fitness culture taught us that exercise had to be extreme to be effective (step forward HIIT and Insanity) The harder the workout and the more exhausted we felt afterwards - the more successful it seemed. But the conversation around movement is changing and in a growing industry with so many options, people are pausing to ask the question; what kind of movement actually makes me feel good?
Intense training causes not only burnout but can also lead to injury. Following the pandemic physio Joe Dyer reported an increase in injuries due to people doing intense HIIT workouts at home. ‘Such intense workouts require the body to be very well conditioned and need proper recovery - it’s not a sustainable way to train for the majority’.
Most people struggle to stay consistent, understandably, with a workout they don’t enjoy and constant high intensity training negatively impacts the nervous system. We don’t need what feels like another demand on us in a fast moving world - we need an outlet that supports both our physical and mental health. Ultimately, we want to feel good in our bodies and this can be effectively achieved with a workout that suits us, in the right setting and with the right support.
The way I move has naturally evolved over the years. I’ve tried most types of exercise and I enjoy trying out the latest exercise trends for research purposes. I always return to the same principles - movement that feels energising, challenging, strengthening and uplifting. This is precisely why my own workout routine as well as my method revolves around dance - moving to music in a dynamic and choreographed way feels elevating and is highly effective. I also love Barre and Sculpt workouts using weights and the pilates ball - another powerful and safe way to exercise.
For years dancers have understood that movement should feel expressive, energising and sustainable - not punishing. In the end, it’s movement that makes us feel alive enough to return to it again and again that actually works.
The Dancer Body Workout - created by Emily Stephenson offers classes, private coaching and workshops.
www.thedancerbody.com
