The Benefits of Fitness Challenges

By Annie Moon

Fitness challenges have been making waves in different gyms and studios all over the country, helping countless individuals reach their fitness goals — whether it's in strengthening muscles, building flexibility, or losing extra fat. Our own Flow Shala 6-week Transformation Challenge, for one, is designed to help you burn fat, grow muscle, and feel absolutely amazing overall.

While these exercise programs are known for their physical advantages, they are certainly much more than that as they tap into our innermost beings. With that in mind, we'll take a closer look at the different benefits of a fitness challenge.

1. Self-awareness

Take a moment and listen to your body. What does it tell you? Are you having difficulty breathing? Are you more tired than usual? Or, are you struggling with finding your balance in life? Joining a yoga fitness challenge is important for us as spiritual beings, as it allows us to check in with our bodies and pushes us to be the best version of ourselves. In fact, our resident yoga teacher Alise Skiba thoughtfully shared that a FlowFit Challenge allowed her to reconnect with her body’s power and focus. By focusing on our inner peace, we are provided with more insight into what needs to be cultivated within ourselves.

On the other hand, when Kristin joined our fitness challenge, she was seeking to upgrade her quality of life as she was stuck in a transitional stage. Things changed for Kristin through the fitness challenge, as she shared, "Right away, I noticed a shift in my awareness. After 3 days of daily meditation and better eating habits, I felt more present in my life, more energetic, and more relaxed. The daily journaling gave me focus and reflection. It was a great way to track my progress and the natural rhythms of my body."

2. Motivation

Our bodies flourish when a routine is set in place. Following a routine, however, is easier said than done. There may be moments where we'd rather stay in and laze around. This is why it is important to join a fitness challenge as it can help you stay on track, as it motivates you to follow a set schedule. Once you get started, your momentum can increase by the day.

And if you ever find yourself stuck in a rut, you should remember that a long-term fitness plan can help you reach greater heights. Indeed, psychiatrist Madhukar Trivedi has found that regularly exercising over a long time period is beneficial for your overall well-being. Dedicating yourself to a yoga fitness challenge means that you're investing in physical, mental, and spiritual health.

3. Extra Focus

Over the past few decades, the field of psychology has made important strides towards the improvement of our mental well-being. Maryville University points out that the discipline has since branched out to fascinating fields like biological psychology, social psychology, and more — a testament to the rich faculties of the mind. So, why not lean on psychologists' findings and get your brain in on your goals with a new fitness challenge?

By participating in this consistent physical practice, you are allowing your entire self to be truly engaged in whatever activity you're doing at that moment. A yoga fitness challenge can help sharpen your focus, as you are encouraged to exercise more consciously. This, in turn, shows how practicing mindfulness can lead to a truly meaningful life.

Indeed, a fitness challenge helps you understand so much about yourself that when Elena tried ours out, she had this to say: "I have reached a level of flow in my life that I have been searching out. I suffer from fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, and [I] have been feeling like a new model of myself!"

4. Support System

Not only are you connecting with yourself in a fitness challenge, but you can also build brand new connections with your fellow participants. Being surrounded by people who have the same goals can help boost your performance, as their presence can be a great source of positive energy that you need for training.

In fact, a study conducted among students at the University of New England has revealed that participating in regular group exercises can promote emotional well-being. While fitness challenges might be tiring for a few hours, the myriad of health benefits you'll reap from them will make every ounce of energy exerted worth it. After all, any worthwhile journey is made up of a series of small steps.

exclusively written for flowshala.com By Annie Moon