When I read the email informing me I was selected to write for the Revelation Wellness blog about leading fitness classes to engage minds, bodies, and spirits, I instantly came up with a list of all the reasons I was not qualified to write on this topic.  I wondered, Lord, why didn’t you tell them not to pick me for this!?  If anything, I thought, I should be writing in areas I feel that I’m actually excelling in, such as “How to gain excess weight during pregnancy” or “How to hide in shame from your life story using masks of perfectionism and control.”

Graciously, the Lord was quick to remind me of worship leader Steffany Gretzinger’s beautiful song lyric which paraphrases Paul’s famous words from 2 Corinthians 12 when she sings, “My weakness is my honor, not my shame.”

So, brace yourself as I move my under-qualified self out of the way to allow the Lord to shine. It will absolutely be my “get-to” to share His wisdom with you.

Interestingly enough, incorporating mind, body, and spirit into your Rev classes actually starts with this exact posture: moving out of the way to allow the Lord to shine. He is, after all, the author of all things creative and the maker of our minds, bodies and spirits. Why not allow Him to be the director of our workouts?

With each class I prepare to lead, before crafting a playlist or challenging workout, I start by asking God what message He has for His kids. The Lord never fails to inspire and provide a message for His sons and daughters. From there, I’m able to design a workout to cater to that specific message.

A few years back, as I was preparing for a class, I heard the Lord say, “Let’s get after their fears today.”  His direction set me on a path of quickly searching through my enrollment forms to find each attendee’s least favorite workouts and areas they feel weakest in. The intention then formed a plan for the exercises for that class, focusing on partner workouts and relays where they would perform the ‘dreaded movements,’ including everyone’s least favorite sprints and burpees, while being cheered on by their classmates. This freed me up to proclaim Jesus-inspired messages of truth and love over them as they moved.  In one word from the Lord, I had a message, a format for how they would move their bodies, and was able to engage their minds in a personal way. Isn’t God so kind?

As Revelation Wellness instructors we are aware that it’s God’s presence that sets our classes apart, but I’ve found that the sweetest gift of leading Rev classes is that the Lord never fails to lead and direct if we humbly step aside and allow Him to take center stage. Although simple, it takes true intention to submit your classes to Jesus and wait on Him to show up and speak, and then cater each song and workout to stay in tune with His direction. The Holy Spirit leads, engaging each soul, as we guide their bodies and movements through cueing and mirroring.

One warning when it comes to fitness to remember is that it can be used in an unhealthy way where people disengage their minds and tune out  in order to ‘escape’. To remedy this, I lean on research that explains that creating new pathways in your mind involves thinking new thoughts, physically moving, and SPEAKING truth. Beyond varying your exercises regularly and continuously speaking Jesus’ words of life, ask your clients to speak the truth OUT LOUD. 

When I start to notice that physical fatigue is causing my class to mentally disengage, I love having them  repeat well known verses. Encouragement like “In my weakness…” and having them respond, “He is STRONG!” or “For you are no longer a slave, but…” and they respond, “a child of God!” re-engages them mentally.

Like ‘tour guides’ for the glory of the Lord, we are charged with setting the stage for Jesus Christ with each workout. As Fitness Teachers and Gospel Preachers, let’s invite Jesus to author and inspire our classes. Let’s not neglect to speak the truth of God’s Word to their spirits, direct their movements, and engage their minds through the words they speak out loud. Step aside and let Him shine!

As a fitness instructor, how do you engage your participants in the workout with their full heart, soul, mind, and strength? As a fitness participant, what is the impact of this kind of holistic training? 

Bailey Kysar is a daughter of the King who is made alive in His GRACE. She resides in Southern Colorado with her husband, two young children, and one on the way! Her job titles include Platoon 19 Revelation Wellness Fitness Instructor, Neonatal Nurse, and local church intern. Email her at baileykysar18@icloud.com.

Thank you for reading the Revelation Wellness Blog this week! Are you interested in becoming a Revelation Wellness Instructor? Do you love Jesus and have a passion for fitness and wellness? Let us equip you to lead others to health and wholeness rooted in Jesus Christ through our faith-based fitness instructor training program. Download an information packet and speak with an enrollment advisor today! We are praying you into Platoon 23!

Workout with us in this #wednesdayworkout! For more workouts like this, visit RevWell TV!

SARA’S CARDIO STRENGTH – “THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT”

This workout will flip-flop you back and forth between cardio and resistance training. Sure to keep your body guessing. Muscle confusion? No big deal. God is never confused about us. Get comfortable being uncomfortable in this workout. (ADVANCED) (LAMENATIONS 3:40; DRUMSTICKS)