Photo credit: Kira auf der Heide

The body positivity movement originated in the 1960s. The concept — that you should feel good about yourself and love your body no matter your size — has become an Instagram-friendly buzzword in recent years.

Body positivity is a wonderful thing, but many people run into trouble when they focus so much on their appearance, even if it comes from a place of acceptance and love.

Enter body neutrality.

What is body neutrality?
Let’s be real: most people don’t love their bodies ALL the time. We all have days when we just don’t feel comfortable in our skin, for whatever reason. The body neutrality philosophy acknowledges how difficult it is to always feel positive about our bodies, and suggests a different approach. When you practice body neutrality, your goal is to find a sense of peace about your body. You shift the focus to what your body can do, rather than what it looks like. 

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From aesthetics to performance
Most people join a gym because they want to change something about their body. And while working out may lead to body positivity — most people do feel better about their bodies after a workout — you may find it difficult to always feel positive about the way you look.

If you’ve been struggling to feel body positive, try switching your focus to what your body can do. Come up with a physical goal you’d like to achieve, and talk to one of our coaches about how you can reach that goal.

You don’t even have to come up with a goal to practice body neutrality. You could just try to start appreciating your body for what it does for you. Maybe you love that you can go for hikes with friends, or that you’re able to work out regularly.