It’s official! We’re award winning!

So you may of heard our incredible news - Becky, our founder has won the Inclusive Award at this year’s National Community Fitness Awards! The panel were looking for a ‘community instructor or group who strive to remove barriers to community fitness and promote an inclusive offering’ -which is something that Becky is passionate about - it’s the reason she trained to be an instructor, after all!

Becky in the foreground holding her award with members of her class stood behind and on screen giving a ‘thumbs up’ - everyone is smiling

Becky was initially nominated by one of her fabulous MissFits (class participant) who nominated her for a number of categories. Then, in order to be considered by the judges, Becky had to complete an application… Here’s what she sent to the judges…:

Introduction

Becky is a 'plus size' (fat) fitness instructor who wants to bring about positive change for marginalised groups in the fitness industry - creating inclusive spaces that spark joyful movement, free from shame or stigma. She's particularly passionate about challenging weight stigma which is particularly prevalent in mainstream fitness spaces, which makes those environments unwelcoming for fat people.

The Business

MissFits Workout® was designed as a true 'entry level' dance based workout for people who don't feel at home in the gym. Rather than scaling back routines, participants in each class build up the moves together. You are encouraged to work at the level that works for you and your body (both in terms of intensity or complexity) - you decide when to push yourself and when to take it easy. The focus is about finding the joy in movement and exercise. MissFits Workout® is for bodies of all shapes and sizes (designed with fat bodies in mind - by an actual fat bodied instructor!) and for people who are reluctant to join a mainstream class (for confidence reasons or because they're looking for a fitness space without diet/intentional weight loss/negative body talk). Some classes include optional chair based routines or stretches and there is no floor/mat work - so you do not need to worry about getting up and down from the floor. Any jumps are optional extras - it’s possible to take part fully in every class whilst always keeping at least one foot on the ground!

Some of our participants use MissFits Workout® as a stepping stone to build their confidence or fitness before moving on to try something new (we have some great local recommendations). Some have become MissFits Workout® regulars! Whatever your reason for joining MissFits Workout® - you're always welcome to join us when you feel like you need a bit of Missfits magic! The moves we do might be similar to those you'd find at other dance based fitness classes - there's an essence of those moves - but what we offer is intentionally different. We're here to meet the needs of the audience who (for whatever reason) need something (intentionally) different. The purpose of MissFits is to provide safe and individualised exercise to bring enjoyment, improve wellbeing, confidence, health and fitness to all bodies regardless of their shape, size or fitness level. In order to make classes a safe and welcoming space for all participants (including those who have previous experience of disordered eating or negative body image) we ask participants to agree not to make comments about the shape or size of their bodies (or anyone else’s) and refrain from diet talk, weight-loss or restrictive eating conversations in class. All bodies are good bodies and worthy of enjoying movement without judgement here!

MissFits Workout® was founded in 2019 in a Community Centre in Colchester, Essex with just 3 participants at the first class - 2 years (and a pandemic) on, we have grown both a local and national following through online classes - bringing accessible exercise classes right into their homes! Working out from their homes helps them to feel safe and comfortable - which is so important for people who are taking their first tentative steps into (or returning to) exercise. We make exercise fun, not a chore, led by a fitness instructor with passion, drive and confidence (in her bigger body) - and that combination is the real MissFits Magic!

The Story

Becky found body positivity and fat liberation in her early thirties after a lifetime of self-hate, ‘failed’ diets and exercise regimes. By following bloggers and influencers she began to challenge her views on the diet industry, find peace with her body and grow in self-confidence. She rediscovered her love of dance and joyful movement and found it liberating! She began to blog about her experiences as a plus size Health at Every size fitness enthusiast and became a This Girl Can Ambassador in her home county. Becky has since trained as a fitness instructor and now leads her own dance-based exercise classes - MissFits Workout®! She promotes a holistic approach to fitness and wellbeing that’s not about aesthetics - She’s more about building confidence than muscle, more about losing inhibitions than inches! Becky’s approach offers a great introduction to dance based group fitness for those who don’t feel ‘at home’ in the gym - with a plus size instructor who has designed routines with plus size bodies in mind.

Short Bio

Becky is a 'plus size' (fat) fitness instructor who wants to bring about positive change for marginalised groups who's needs are not always met in the fitness industry - that's why she created MissFits Workout®!

It’s such an honour to be recognised by the fitness industry for the work Becky and others are doing to reduce fat phobia and fat shaming in fitness spaces so everyone can feel safe and included when moving their bodies - and feel the benefits of movement without shame. We’re very proud of the work Becky has done so far in less than 3 years working in the industry - and cannot wait to see what’s to come. Watch this space!