Gold's Gym Saipan

Find Your #FitFam

This hashtag has become a motivational tool for tens of thousands of fitness fans—see how it can work for you.

Social media has proven to be a great device for fitness motivation. Seeing before-and-after pictures posted on Facebook, following tweets from famous trainers and getting ideas for new workout moves on Instagram are just some of the ways people now find exercise inspiration. But leading the pack is #FitFam, a hashtag that’s become an explosive force in the fitness space—included in over 38 million Instagram posts—helping people connect with workout groups that encourage them on their fitness journey. So why should you find your own #FitFam?

“There are some who like to work out alone, but there are many whose personality thrives on other people’s energy,” says Robert Reames, a Gold’s Gym Fitness Institute trainer. “People in a group exercise environment don’t necessarily have to bring the same abilities either, just like-minded motivation. If they bring out the best in you, then that’s awesome.”

Finding Your #FitFam

• Get the word out. “Many times great groups start from finding co-workers or friends who have the same goals as you,” Reames says. “But sometimes it’s as easy as asking a trainer at your club. They may have a few people they train with similar motivations—and can help you form a group.”

• Find the right leader. Many gyms offer group-training packages that are cheaper than one-on-one personal training sessions, if you feel that you need a paid professional to manage your group. Otherwise, see if someone in your group is willing to volunteer. “Without the right person to set a good tone, it probably won’t work,” says Gold’s Gym Fitness Institute trainer Nikki Kimbrough Nikki makes sure to create ways to keep everyone involved. “I have some do push-ups while others can do bear crawls. Keep it interesting for everyone, taking into account their skill levels.”

• Find a #FitFam online. Another great boon of social media is the ability to connect with thousands of people—friends, family and even strangers who might be looking for workout buddies who already have a strong #FitFam that you can become a part of. Geoff Tobey, Gold’s Gym Digital Marketing Manager, shared that the Gold’s Gym Challenge Facebook Group, where Challenge participants come together to motivate one another, is one of the strongest #FitFams online right now. He also advised that to join the ultimate #FitFam, follow Gold’s Gym on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Keep Your #FitFam Together

It’s almost as if there’s this huge graveyard filled with the ghosts of fitness groups that once were. Here are ways to keep your #FitFam together, which, again, will require leadership to come up big.

• Accountability is critical. It can help to pay attention to anyone who hasn’t been coming to a workout and encourage them to get back into the fold, Reames says. “With social media especially, we’re able to give each other a little nudge that gets us back into it. It’s about caring, not forcing,” he says. You can choose to have this take the form of a Facebook post, but you could always bypass social and just send a thoughtful email. A little note showing you care might just be enough to get those sneakers laced.

• Consider a little competition. “I’ve seen positive competitiveness definitely come into play with students I lead,” Kimbrough says. Remember that people can sometimes lift each other up by encouraging each other to ratchet it up—and, when done right, you can both be winners from the motivation. Try a gym triathlon (elliptical, bike and treadmill) to see who can log the most miles in a set time, or wear heart-rate monitors to a workout class to learn whose ticker is in the best shape.

• Focus on the schedule. Make sure the group schedule is doable for enough of your #FitFam to guarantee a good turnout. Also, keep in touch when sessions are canceled due to holidays and other factors—a few weeks off can be a potential momentum killer, so hype everyone to get back into it.

• Don’t forget to post. When a goal is reached, make sure to let your #FitFam know. Tag them on inspirational posts, or comment on their social channels as reminders to head to the gym or try a new routine. Post group selfies on tough training days or after a big cheat meal that you all earned together (raise those margaritas!). Part of the fun of having a #FitFam is sharing your successes…and bragging just a little bit.