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Fear. That’s the number one reason why men don’t start exercising even when they know that their appearance, physical health, and mental well-being aren’t where they should be.
This is according to Brad Jay, a co-founder of the DadBod fitness movement, which has helped thousands of men all over the world to get over their fear, get out of their comfort zone, step into a training routine, and start reaping the many benefits of regular exercise.
These physical, mental and emotional benefits are well documented. People who train a few times a week gain a sense of overall well-being and become more confident. They have more energy during the day and sleep better at night. And, with boosted feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, people with mental health challenges like depression and anxiety can manage more easily.
However, when people don’t exercise, they don’t only lose out on these benefits; they can also get caught up in a spiral of guilt, self-blame and even shame. This can be especially true for men who are already struggling to balance a fast-paced life, demanding job, and all the responsibilities that come with raising a family, while knowing that they’re neglecting themselves. And, for many men, asking for help is simply not an option.
Brad explains that societal and cultural norms often discourage men from expressing their fears and emotions. “Maintaining this ‘game face’ leads to many men feeling that they’re alone in facing modern-day pressures, or that they alone are not coping while their peers are. This isolation in turn sparks more fear, along with anxiety, a sense of failure, and other emotions that are frowned on, and it can seem that there’s no escaping from this vicious cycle.”
Brad and Jaco de Bruyn started DadBod to support men to achieve fitness and weight loss goals. But they realised early on that lessening the emotional burden that men carry, and showing their clients just how many men struggle with the same issues, would be an even bigger challenge than the exercise and nutrition programme they were fine-tuning. Their solution was to create an online, global community.
“DadBod is a worldwide community of men who’re all experiencing the same challenges. They support each other’s progress and share their successes, setbacks, and fears. As they get physically fitter and mentally stronger, they also have a safe space where they can be emotionally authentic,” says Jaco.
For those who want a physical community as well, DadBods is available at more than 35 Planet Fitness South Africa gyms nationwide.
Brad and Jaco are both dads themselves and they understand how difficult it can be for men to put themselves first when they need to. They especially understand that time is of the essence, and designed the programme so that training for just 20 minutes a day can make a real difference in reaching fitness goals and maintaining a more positive outlook on life.
“The DadBod philosophy is that overall health isn’t only about training properly and eating right; it’s also about your head space. If you can wake up every morning with a ‘can do’ mindset and commit to achieving a little more than you did the day before, then you’re winning,” says Brad.
Also see: Inexpensive gym equipment to create your fitness space at home
