Posts Tagged ‘athletic culture’
Butts, Guts, Tris, and Thighs: About Our Strength and Fitness Program
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi Last week I had a woman on Instagram reach out to me inquiring about our programs. She said she was brand new to training so I recommended she join our Strength and Fitness program. She insisted that since her goal was fat-loss, she was not interested in strength and fitness.…
Read MoreTime to Get Skinny: How Words Connect Us
If any of you know me, you know I would NEVER say that it’s “time to get skinny” as a way to motivate you to do your exercises. But, I did indeed use this phrase with a group of Somali women when I was hired to teach a group fitness class for the teachers at…
Read MoreA Cautionary Tale for Women: My 8-week Experiment with Steroids
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi This sounds scary already! What kind of steroids did you take FLG? Tell me. About five years ago, I was rear-ended in a car accident. I suffered from whiplash, a spinal fracture, a tear between my vertebrae, and a concussion. I had to stop exercising for some time afterwards, especially…
Read MoreAsk a Member: How Does Sister Fit Measure Up to Similar Gyms?
Words by Raida C. Hi everyone! My name is Raida. I am a member of Sister Fit whenever I’m in Toronto, and I also attend 9Round, a gym specializing in kickboxing fitness, when I’m out of the city. As I’ve attended both gyms regularly, I thought I’d outline my personal experiences at each space. So,…
Read MorePutting Skin in the Game: Invest – Commit – Conquer
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi Happy New Year! Well, Happy February! Do you like making New Year’s resolutions or goals? I do, but not the typical goal that demands upheaval and a complete lifestyle makeover – which is the kind of goal that often grabs our attention. As years pass, I am more realistic; I…
Read More4 Bad B Life Lessons with Cynthia Roulston
Jamaidian Kettlebell Lady: Bad B Cynthia Roulston Our Jamaican Jerk kettlebell workshop was a real success on September the 25th with Bad B, Cynthia Roulston. It’s not often I give people the title of Bad B! I even introduce Cynthia as Bad B to new members at the gym – she’s someone who has walked…
Read MoreGyms, Culture, and Identity: Why Gyms Could be a Spiritual Space
Words by Fatima Lee Garsi What is a gym? By definition, a gym is a place that has fitness equipment for people to use for their physical education. A place where people go to get buff, to sweat, to stretch, kick, jump, and punch their way into a better body. Gyms are a new thing…
Read MorePilates: Cats and Capitalism
Words by Tai Salih As you flip through a plethora of fitness magazines and scroll through Instagram fitness influencers, you’ll come to find the same messaging over and over again: “You are not fit enough.” “These are the only acceptable standards of health and fitness.” “These expensive outfits are the only acceptable attire in…
Read MoreDon’t treat me equally; treat me fairly
In athletic settings, is it possible to treat genders “equally?” Coach EL explores why fair treatment is not the same as equal treatment. By Coach EL I was on my way to a downtown gym to attend a Level One boxing coach course with the National Canadian Coaches Program (NCCP) and I couldn’t help but…
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