Over the last couple of months, we’ve encouraged people across the country to fall in with an active crowd. Getting active can be intimidating, but it’s much easier and more fun when you have positive influences and like-minded people to get active with. Whether it’s a sport club, dance ensemble or fitness class, being part of an active group can increase your motivation, raise your accountability, boost your confidence, and provide you with a sense of belonging and connection.
Many members of the ParticipACTION team have found their own active squads (shocking, eh?) and are reaping all these wonderful benefits. Read on to discover the active crowds some of us belong to – maybe we’ll inspire you to find yours!
Slo-pitch softball
“What I love the most about playing on the Reds slo-pitch team in the Beaches Men’s Softball League are the friendships I’ve formed and having something to look forward to every Thursday night during the spring and summer. We play in a beautiful park with a great group of guys who always share lots of stories and laughs at the post-game barbecues.” — Jon, director of partnerships
Ukrainian dance group
“My Ukrainian dance group, Lviv Dance Ensemble, has given me and my fellow dancers a safe and welcoming space to experience dance and celebrate our shared Ukrainian culture in a beautiful and unique way.” — Stephanie, social media and marketing coordinator
Yoga class
“I always look forward to my weekly YMCA yoga class. It has become my cherished “me” time, helped me foster connections with my body and friends, and created a supportive community under the guidance of a fantastic instructor.” — Robin, evaluation specialist
Running club
“My local running club, the Sudbury Rocks!! Running Club, is made up of an inspiring group of individuals of varying ages and fitness levels who have a shared interest in running. We meet twice a week – rain or shine, hot or cold – and we each run at our own pace. There’s no focus on finishing first — our prize is just getting out for a fun group run!” — Stacy, project manager
Virtual cycling network
“I really look forward to my music-filled rides with other Peloton cyclists from across North America. I constantly feel a sense of connection and accountability, even from my own living room! I’ve also had some major wins in terms of my overall aerobic endurance and virtual cycling network. It’s just ‘fun’ to rock out to some bangers and work up a sweat with other virtual riders.” — Leigh, scientific director
Fitness class
“The coaches and fellow members of Fit Factory Fitness, a gym that offers group fitness classes, really brought me out of my shell, and I made friends so quickly! They constantly push me to do the best I can, and if I’m feeling lazy or tired, they snap me out of it because they know I can do better. Their constant support and encouragement always make the workouts intense but fun. — Hannah, sponsorships and grants coordinator
Tennis club
“Playing with my tennis crew at Matchpoint Tennis, has helped me build social connections with others and confidence in playing the sport. Every time I compete, I feel completely immersed in the activity – the stresses of crying kids, piling laundry and work deadlines are shelved. The competition makes me feel like me again!” — Ali, former senior marketing manager
Water polo club
“Since I started playing in the Toronto Triggerfish water polo club, I’ve become more confident both in and out of the pool and feel a greater sense of community and social connectedness, largely thanks to my positive and supportive coaches and teammates. Not wanting to let my teammates down, my desire to improve my stamina and skills so I can confidently play in upcoming tournaments, and the after-practice social gatherings all motivate me to keep playing this incredibly exciting sport twice a week.” — Adam, content specialist
As you can see, many of us on the ParticipACTION team practice what we preach and have fallen in with active crowds, from recreational sport clubs to dance ensembles to fitness classes. Have we inspired you to find your own active squad? Here are some tips to help you with your search:
- Start by figuring out what physical activities and sports you enjoy and think you could stick with.
- Join or create your own local physically active groups on online platforms or apps like Nextdoor, Meetup, Facebook or Parkrun. Ask the people you interact with on a regular basis to join and/or spread the word.
- Sign up for group fitness classes offered at gyms, recreation centres, parks and pools in your community.
- Join a local recreational sport team or league like one of the ones that ParticipACTION staff members have joined.
For more inspiration and tips, check out this blog post: “Why you should fall in with an active crowd and 5 tips to help you find one.”
