Jun 08 2008
Christian Fitness Center?
[NY Times]
Jason Russell, a fitness buff, had long found it difficult to combine his Christian faith with his job as a gym manager, which required him to be around women in spandex and men concerned only with how macho they are.
“Me being a single guy and trying to walk the Christian line, it was difficult,” said Mr. Russell, 30. “I needed not only to protect myself, but as a leader, to help others with their spiritual journey.”
Mr. Russell had been planning to open a gym of his own. Then he discovered Lord’s Gym, a 10,000-square-foot fitness center here that meshes prayer and push-ups. Its goal, says its owner, Paul Sorchy, a chiropractor, is to provide a modest setting where members can feel comfortable exercising. Mr. Russell is now its manager.
The gym offers classes including “Yogod,” its take on yoga, and “Chariots of Fire,” a spinning class. Spaghetti-strap tank tops and short shorts are not allowed, and women’s tops must cover their bottoms.
“Many people want to have a quality atmosphere that’s not involved in the meat-market setting, that’s serious about workouts,” Dr. Sorchy said. “People want something truly family-friendly, and want to have a team of folks they can trust.”
The first Lord’s Gym was started in 1994 in Roseville, Calif., as a nonprofit community center for teenagers. Its founder, Doug Bird, is a former drug dealer who is now the pastor of Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Roseville, about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento.
Read more here.
[From me]
I had hoped this was a Lark News story. Sadly it is not. I’ve got a novel concept. Why don’t Christians join secular gyms and build relationships with the unchurched?
What do you think?
11 responses so far
I don’t see anything wrong with your approach (go to secular gyms) or this approach. We have a lot of freedom in Christ to do either. If the temptations in secular gyms are too much (some women would be more modestly covered if they exercised in their underwear compared to what they currently wear), then a club required more modest attire would be a good thing.
Neil’s last blog post..Weekly roundup
This is a hard call I think. I work out at the local Y and know there are times I have trouble keeping my mind on my workout. Fortunately, I work out at 5 a.m. so there aren’t too many who come out at that time. I can definitely see the value of working out and establishing friendships with those far from God-provided they do not pull us down. I can also see those who have trouble with purity issues deciding that a “Lord’s Gym” type of place is the way to go. I leave it up to freedom with neither one judging the other’s choice.
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..An Update on our State of Emergency
I’m opposed to the Christian bubble in all its many forms.
Texas in Africa’s last blog post..this & that
Amen Kevin!
Dear Jesus,,
Please protect me from all of the bad people.Now that our churches are making services available to people who don’t look just like us, well, God, we need a break! Please, dear Jesus, help us to insulate ourselves more effectively. And thank you for putting us in America where we are entitled to a gym membership because of all of the church suppers upon which we have mercilessly gorged ourselves…
Wait, come to think of it, Jesus…nevermind. I don’t need your constant watch and care. Instead, I’ll just go to a place that only Christians go! Then I’ll never have to exercise the muscle of my will!
Lord help us!
Greg Allen’s last blog post..Friday, June 6, 2008
The lack of modesty in clothing at a public gym can’t be any worse than the lack of modesty in clothing in most of our churches.
Kevin,
I go to the Y to workout at 5 AM…trust me, at 5 AM no one either looks good or really cares how the others look.
I’m torn on this blog entry. While I know how important it is to fellowship with likeminded believers, I see the value of spending time with people who are as lost as can be.
If i had a vote between the two, I’ll go with the lost people and hope that I can somehow be a witness to them. Since another blog on here is about church police, I think I’ll take the people who aren’t policing my every action and who may not have a clue who Jesus is. Maybe, just maybe, I can be a witness to them for Christ.
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..More Than Meets the Eyes
We’re a pretty weak bunch of Christians, in general
It seems to me that chiding people for working out in a Christian environment is right in the job description of being church police. Am I missing something? Where is the freedom? I work out at 24 Hour Fitness (a secular chain) but have no issue with people working out at “Christian” clubs.
Neil’s last blog post..Sex is like duct tape
Neil,
Point taken- YoGod? Uggh!
Hi Kevin - I missed the “Yogod” part the first time through. Double uggh!
Neil’s last blog post..Sex is like duct tape
If certain Christians feel more comfortable working out with other Christians, and that helps them continue with a fitness program, then I’m all for it.
Chris’s last blog post..Where Can I Find a New Bowflex Chart/Poster?