spark by Gabby

aka the best virtual workout community

If you’re a loyal reader (lol) or you follow me on Instagram you probably have seen/heard/read me mention Gabby and spark by gabby about a hundred times. but I figured it was long past time for me to fully explain why I love these workouts and this communicy.

Pre-pandemic I was a dedicated spin class devotee. I went at least four times a week. And I loved it. It was the first time I found a workout that I truly enjoyed and looked forward to–and a lot of that was thanks to Gabby. Through the 200 (!!) plus spin classes I took over two years she went from being a spin instructor to being a friend.

So once the pandemic hit and group fitness classes closed (and then when I didn’t feel safe attending once they re-opened), Gabby started her own online fitness community and of course I had to join. Gabby started spark by gabby–a fitness platform focused on mind and body, community, and social justice.

At a base level, the classes are amazing! Spark offers live classes via Zoom or recordings of previous classes. My favorites are the HIIT classes and core & more. (Confession: I really struggle with core classes but Sonya makes me feel like I can do hard things.) All of the instructors are motivating and helpful and offer all kinds of modifications if you’re like me and you still struggle with planks or have sensitive knees. Seriously Spark has somehow managed to create the feeling of all being in the same room for a group fitness class over Zoom, which is no small feat.

Spark also focuses on connecting your mental health with your physical health. I know that I’m guilty of not prioritizing fitness when I’m stressed as well as letting my brain stop me from pushing myself in fitness classes. It probably sounds cheesy, but these classes have helped me reset the way I talk to myself during a workout. I’m starting to change my mindset from “that’s too hard, I can’t do that move” to “that’s hard, but I can try it.”

But going beyond that, Spark is truly a wonderful community. In the moments before class starts, in the group chat app, on Instagram, and through community challenges I’ve gotten to know other amazing people. AND Spark is focused on giving back to the community. Each week Gabby hosts a conversation about racial justice, and each month Spark hosts a fundraiser class where we work out, donate money, and have small group discussions about the organization we’re supporting and learning about that month. If this sounds like it would be weird or forced, I encourage you to attend one of the fundraiser classes and see for yourself! (I promise it’s not weird!)

If this all wasn’t enough to convince you to give Spark a try, you can even get your first class free with code FIRSTSPARK. AND Spark offers discounts to those in a variety of fields, or anyone who is impacted by COVID (think: educators, fitness professionals, gig workers, health care professionals, etc).

Have I gotten you interested yet? Going to take a class with me? Let me know!

xoxo,

J