At SELF, our goal is to help bring fitness to everybody.
Were here to help guide every step of your fitness journeyand so are our Everyday Athletes.
Our Everyday Athletes are powerlifters, dancers, yogis, runners, and frequent gymgoers.
Katie Thompson / Amanda K Bailey
But theyre also more than that: They represent what we hope is the future of fitness.
Anise Armario has been dancing for 10 years, powerlifting for 6, and has recently started coaching too.
Help more and more people access fitness by amplifying relatable stories from diverse perspectives!
Katie Thompson
I was relieved and elated.
Now, shes hoping to help inspire her clients to find their own joy in fitness too.
For generations, weve been told to exercise to be thinner or smaller, Tang says.
Katie Thompson
I want women to lift weights because it makes us stronger to live longer.
(Bulgarian split squats?
Not so much.)
Katie Thompson
For clients just starting out, Harveys advice is to take it slow.
Set a time limit for your workouts and stick to it.
This will help you not burn out too quickly, and itll be easier to stay consistent.
Katie Thompson
And dont be afraid to find your own spaceand claim it.
Oh, and the abolishment of diet culture!
Then stake your claim.
Katie Thompson
We all belong here!
Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise, she says.
When I rediscovered fitness, it blew my mind and changed my perception.
Katie Thompson
These days, Pan especially loves chest- andshoulder-strengthworkouts, and is a huge fan of the bench press.
Fitness should be for everyone, Pan says.
Dont let anyone stop you from doing what you want to do.
Katie Thompson
She considers dance her absolute favorite kind of workoutbut that doesnt mean it needs to be yours too.
I believe that fitness is made for all bodies and all humans, Pebbles says.
In fact, shes taking on ahard-stylekettlebell competition in April.
Katie Thompson
But now Im driven to help Asian American women feel more empowered in their own skin.
If you dont find one, create one!
Start off with small, achievable goals, Gail Barranda Rivas says to those who are new to exercising.
Katie Thompson
A lot of folks go too hard, too fast, too soon, and wind up getting discouraged.
All those small wins add up!
