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Home » Fitness » 4 Ways The Fitness Industry Can Engage In True Allyship – Club Industry

Like many industries, the fitness industry is being called to account after the brutal and public murder of George Floyd, following that of Ahmad Arbery and Breonna Taylor, sparked outrage across the nation. The message of the Black Lives Matter movement has been amplified. Many people who regularly engage with the industry are looking for real action by the industry, but what they have seen instead have been black squares on Instagram and initiatives that don't have much impact beyond the optics. The Black Lives Matter movement and the need to address systemic racism are extremely relevant to the fitness industry because those of us who deeply care for this work do it to optimize and help save lives through fitness and wellness. If our desire is to see people thrive, we must respond vigorously when the right to merely live is being denied. Although the fitness industry may not be able to change government policy, it is imperative to acknowledge the role that this industry plays in perpetuating systemic racism and to do something about it.

Having worked in the fitness industry for a decade training C-suite executives and as one of the few Black women working in predominantly white spaces for most of my career, I want to share four actions the fitness industry can take to demonstrate real allyship to the Black community going forward. This means everyone in the Black community, not just your consumers, but your employees as well. These steps are an entry point into the long journey of creating workable environments for Black fitness and wellness professionals. In addition, they are stepping stones in the process of ensuring that when Black people want to enter a space that provides an opportunity to enhance their well-being, they are not met with the stressors that have been shown to increase their likelihood of chronic disease (weathering effect).

1. Learn About The Black Communitys Relationship With The Fitness Industry

Listen to your Black employees and members. There is no shortage of Black fitness professionals in these predominantly white fitness spaces, yet the atmosphere often still severely lacks inclusivity. Black people who want to address issues concerning inclusion are often not heard. Additionally, many fitness spaces are not conducive for authentic conversation about the Black experience. When Black people speak, we are sharing an experience that non-Black folks are unqualified to disregard. (No one is qualified to disregard anyones experience, but if you dont know what its like to be Black, humbly listening is the best thing to do if a Black person chooses to share their experience with you.) Black people and Black culture are not props to be silenced and simultaneously capitalized off of. If our culture and bodies are part of the success of your company, our stories must be as well. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the lived experiences of your Black employees, not just the elements that are most convenient or trendy.

2. Avoid Performative Allyship

Allyship is not about likes on your companys Instagram page. Furthermore, allyship is not about you. True allyship does not come in the form of a black square on Instagram or a diversity initiative without action to back it up. Your customers and employees are watching closely because this affects their lives, and they can tell the difference between performance and real company values in action. When gyms reopen, the sanctity of Black lives will still need to be acknowledged and protected. This is the time to direct your resources toward protecting the Black lives directly impacted by your company. Allocate funds toward initiatives that seek to close the fitness and wellness gap in Black communities. Put your money where your Instagram post is. Here are some examples of companies that have begun taking steps toward acknowledging and turning away from the ways they have engaged in perpetuating systemic racism. This is by no means a case where one action or initiative is the solution. It must be consistent, persistent and thorough.

3. Advocate For New Non-Marginalizing Systems

Questions to ask yourself here are:

These are just a few questions that allow you to consider the ways in which systemic racism is perpetuated in our industry. Once you are aware of these things, use your voice, your network, your platform and your resources to advocate for new systems that combat these issues. This may be challenging you to exercise a muscle that has never been used. If youve worked as a fitness professional for any amount of time, you know that recruiting a dormant muscle cannot be done passively. It must be intentional. With consistency, youll find that you can do more over time.

4. Allocate Funds TowardAddressing Systemic Racism

Addressing systemic racism is not the same as hiring more Black people and having the occasional two to three Black people circulating in company ads. Be intentional here, and be willing to invest in making your space more inclusive for the Black community. Utilize the same tenacity used to hit sales goals for your company when it comes to honoring Black people.Outsourcing is important. It is a demonstration of humility and decentering yourself. Give space to someone who can speak to the Black experience and who specializes in diversity and inclusion. Allow room for insight that you dont have or that your team may have previously been lacking and be willing to pay for it. Be humble. Acknowledge what you do not know. This is not the time for self loathing. Simply,learn. Then act. This is true allyship.

For many people, the blinders have come off for good. Silence is not an option. The fitness industry has a lot of work to do and huge gaps to fill. The world is changing, and those who refuse to change with it will be left standing on the wrong side of history as the rest of us stay focused on building a better future. Im sincerely hoping to see you there.

TNisha Symone is a 10-year fitness industry veteran, holding a bachelors degree in exercise physiology and is the founder of BLAQUE, an emerging luxury fitness club/platform focused on serving the fitness and wellness needs of the Black community. BLAQUE has been mentioned in TIME magazine and Bustle, referencing the role the new company plays in the evolution of the fitness industry. BLAQUE will be launching outdoor pop-ups and opening its first physical location in New York City, while launching a digital platform focused on serving the fitness and wellness needs of the Black community globally. For more information about TNisha Symone, BLAQUE and how you can support this initiative to improve racial inequities in the fitness industry, visit ifundwomen.com/projects/blaque.

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4 Ways The Fitness Industry Can Engage In True Allyship - Club Industry

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Home » Fitness » 4 Ways The Fitness Industry Can Engage In True Allyship – Club Industry