Becky shares how she brings the light of the gospel through her fitness classes in a secular gym.
Some of you are too young to remember the 90’s fitness era. If that is the case, let me paint a picture for you.
Imagine Reebok high top “aerobics” shoes. Yep, shoes made JUST for aerobics. I believe mine were the patented “Instructor 5000s”… neon everything with extra support in the forefoot to support all the lateral hopping.
In my personal opinion they should bring those back, but no one has asked!
Sadly the only place to order now is on Ebay. Marked as Vintage. Touché.
But in the 90s, you would find me in one of two places: 1) Slaving away on a Stairmaster—my Sony Discman and spongy orange headphones on point, or 2) on top of a five-foot platform wearing a Janet Jackson mic instructing a basketball court full of college girls who demanded the hardest, highest impact class I could offer them. I believe we called it HI/LO impact.
I was obsessed.
Obsessed with myself. Obsessed with my image. Obsessed with 90s fitness. And obviously obsessed with those Neon Instructor 5000s.
An onlooker would have assumed I had it together. Fit and flirty in my early 20s. But underneath the facade of fitness instructor bliss, I was a sad and broken college student. Desperate to be seen and desperate for identity.
Sadly, the fitness world STILL offers this. It only takes a quick scroll on social to read the lies of the industry…. “Look better and be happier. Look better and people will love you. Look better and get the guy. Look better, get more followers.”
Wait. I was doing all of that. And still so empty.
From striving to spirit-filled
Thankfully, the Lord strategically placed a few key players in my life. Christian classmates invited me to lunch. Random invitations to sub for fitness classes at nearby churches.
But one girl, in particular, worked with me at the gym on campus.
This gal was FULL of JOY. Radiant with it, actually. She recently gave her life to Jesus and was not ashamed to tell everyone about it. Like, everyone. I was amazed. Her happiness so radically and recently found not in weight loss or muscle gain but in being freed from sin.
Who talked like this?
Well, she did, apparently, and she had my full attention. Could it be possible that I was missing something?
The Lord planted that Spirit-filled friend in the middle of my mess on purpose. A college student set free from bondage to show me I could be set from my own.
Undercover Christian Fitness Teacher
Fast forward 30 years. I am much older, wearing less neon but still teaching in the fitness industry. Having been the girl who bought every lie the industry sold, I have first-hand experience with the mindset that might walk into my class daily.
Every day I work with participants coming in to lose the weight or get the gains to be someone more special. Seen. Known. Free.
I get it. I was her too.
But like my “on fire” friend who was crazy about Jesus, I have the privilege of loving and encouraging those who’ve been duped by the messaging of “look better and be happier”…
I teach in secular environments on purpose. Knowing every time I walk into a studio, I am boots to the ground on mission. Appointed to speak life, bring joy, and spark curiosity about the true Way to freedom and life.
I know I must keep a lid on my lingo. Blasting Maverick City while holding a plank is a no-go.
But there are STILL intentional ways to share Jesus… without saying much at all.
I teach in secular gyms on purpose. Every time I walk into a studio, I am boots to the ground on mission to speak life, bring joy, and spark curiosity.
Tips to share about Jesus in a Secular gym
1. Pray before class begins
Before every class, you will find me in the bathroom. It’s true. This isn’t, however, your typical potty break.
I sneak off to the bathroom to talk to Jesus one last time before class… asking Him to use me to be a light for with Him while I go minister to the people through fitness. My prayer is to bring smiles, hope and a little laughter to a room full of people who just might need it.
2. It's ALL about the music
Listen… there is just so much GREAT music available right now in the Christian space that is NOT so overtly Christian. Upbeat, clean, great message but not your traditional worship song.
For example, it is rare to attend a class of mine where Forrest Frank isn’t tucked into a playlist. You would be amazed how many clients come up after asking, “What was that ‘Good Day’ song you played?” Yessss.
3. Set an intention for class
I teach a lot of yoga where setting an “intention” is commonplace. I love the creative license I have to bring Christian spiritual practices into a secular environment.
For example, the practice of gratitude or the discipline of simplicity are great concepts to introduce that can be totally appropriate in a secular setting.
I also intentionally choose quotes and concepts that align with the character and heart of Jesus. I have even been known to quote Eugene Peterson’s The Message version or good ol’ Saint Paul of Tarsus a few times. 🙂 Sneaky right?!
Each of these “breadcrumbs” may be an invitation for someone to explore more outside of class.
4. Trust the power of His Presence
Don’t forget that you, believer, embody the power of the Holy Spirit. Every time you walk into a class you usher in the presence of God.
I love how Luke in Acts 5 describes crowds carrying their ill friends just to be near the apostles.
He says it was “to such an extent that they even carried their sick out into the street on mats, so when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on one of them [and be healed].” (Acts 5:15)
Wow. The Lord used Peter’s shadow to heal?
The same Spirit resides in you, dear instructor. Who knows… maybe God’s presence IN YOU has the power to heal, too.
During your next cool down, when all your participants are resting on their mats, walk the room and pray over those sweet people. Let His Spirit fall. Who are we to limit the Presence of God in a room?
Your turn
All these years later, I am still talking about that joyful college student who was so radically different from me. Her joy is contagious… creating a curiosity inside of me for a new way of life.
You could be her, too!
So friend, next time you step into your secular studio, remember that your impact can be eternal. Your joy is contagious and your words could change a life.
And while a fitness floor may not be a remote country overseas, you undeniably step out on an undercover mission field. Boots to the ground.
Instructor 5000s optional, of course.
Becky is wife to Counseling Pastor, Brent Crenshaw, and mom to Luke (15), Ethan (18) and Grant (20). She also has the great privilege of being soul caregiver for her grandmother Ethel who is the sassy age of 103!!! Becky is honored you are here and hopeful the most important words written are not from her but the quiet conversation the Holy Spirit might engage you with as she writes. You can find Becky on her website at www.beckycrenshaw.com
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2 Responses
Are you located in Altoona, PA? Do you take United Health Care HMO/PPO plans? What classes do you have?
Hey Renee, You can contact Becky through her website listed toward the bottom of the page! You can find more Revelation Wellness fitness instructors here: https://www.revelationwellness.org/find-a-class/