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Beyond the Workout: How Fitness Changes Lives

Fitness is more than movement—it’s about finding confidence, redefining your limits, and connecting with the community that inspires you. In Beyond the Workout: How Fitness Changes Lives, we celebrate those transformative moments by sharing the stories of members whose lives have changed thanks to iFIT.

Continue the journey in Portugal while listening to the inspiring stories of iFIT members Anna and Scott. You'll also see the previously released stories of Jeff and Al & Noura. They’ll describe their journey with exercise and fitness, and the positive impact it has on their lives.

Fitness is for Everyone: Scott’s Story

"The way I thought about exercising was, 'I don't do that. That's not something I do." Scott recalls. "But after being part of this experience, I gained the confidence to join a run club—something I'd never done in my life. Now, I'm planning to run my first 10K in October. I feel good about myself and am very grateful to iFIT for helping me discover that."

For Scott, the Portugal Member Experience wasn’t just a trip—it was a turning point. Surrounded by supportive trainers and fellow members, he discovered strength he never knew he had and walked away with the courage to push his boundaries.

Movement for Life: Anna’s Story

For Anna, the journey was about healing and rediscovering her strength. "It took my organs starting to fail before I recognized how far it had actually gone," she shares. "iFIT has helped me redefine fitness into a practice that is compassionate to movement—one that helps me feel strong and healthy as I get ready to start my family. It challenges me daily. It gives me something to look forward to every single morning. I'm so grateful for my NordicTrack and my iFIT membership."

Anna's story highlights how fitness can become a powerful tool for recovery, resilience, and renewal. Her commitment to building a healthier future reflects the heart of the iFIT community.

Choosing Resilience: Jeff’s Story

Jeff opens up about the unimaginable pain of losing a child and the dark moments that followed. He emphasizes that, even in the toughest times, we have the power to rewrite our story. For Jeff, training is more than physical strength; it provides emotional clarity and resilience. It helps him cope with life’s challenges, stay grounded, and regain control. His story is one of hope, showing that we can all find the strength to create new beginnings.

Together We Rise: Al & Noura’s Story

Al and Noura reflect on their incredible journey with iFIT, where working out together has not only brought them closer but also pushed them to reach new heights. Through consistent training, they’ve supported each other, overcoming challenges and celebrating victories along the way. Their shared commitment has helped them grow stronger, both physically and emotionally, and deepened their connection as they continue to challenge themselves and each other.

About iFIT Exclusives

iFIT Exclusives are designed to keep you inspired with stories that go beyond the gym. They showcase the unique connections and transformative moments that define the iFIT experience.

As you immerse yourself in these stories, you’ll feel a part of something bigger—a community that supports and uplifts one another, all while staying motivated to achieve your fitness goals.

Disclaimer: The primary purpose of this blog post is to inform and entertain. Nothing on the post constitutes or is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided on the blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and please consult your doctor or other health care provider before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information available on this blog. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.

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People Need People: The Positive Effects of Socializing

As human beings, we are social creatures by nature. Instinctively, we don’t like feeling alone, and our bodies and brains actually function better when we are surrounded by others. We are basically wired to be social. If you were to google “why humans need humans” or anything along those lines, you’ll find a plethora of articles explaining why social connections and friendships are vital to our health and well-being. Outside of our family units, when we have friends we can lean on, laugh with, cry with, and talk to, we are nourishing ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. We need that connectivity not only to survive, like this article suggests, but to thrive. Whether you’re someone who prefers to have just a few really close pals, or you’re a social butterfly with a lot of friends, at the end of the day, we need those relationships. Here are the top three reasons we need friendships in our lives! Friendships improve our health Research has shown that having strong social connections is vital to our health. For starters, it can reduce stress levels, ward off depression and suicide, lower the risk of dementia, heart disease, and cancer, as well as boost our immune system...and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s also easier to exercise and live a healthier lifestyle when you have the support of friends and family. Friends extend our life expectancy Aside from improving our overall health, maintaining friendships can also add years to our lives—just like regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and not smoking. Multiple studies have found that people who have positive relationships with their family, friends, and community are happier and tend to live longer. Some studies have even gone as far to conclude that social belongingness is just as important as physical survival needs, such as food and shelter. Friends make life more fun This might not be a mind-blowing revelation, but friends bring an abundant amount of happiness to our lives. While I’m sure you can find enjoyment doing certain things solo, I’d argue that most things are more fun when you do it with someone else. There’s an unexplainable joy that comes from sharing experiences with people we care about. Studies have shown, including this one conducted back in 2011, that having meaningful social relationships affects our neurobiological endogenous opioid system (think endorphins), triggering the part of the brain that makes us feel good. Simply put, connecting and interacting with our friends gives us happy feelings. Ever caught up with an old friend, then felt really good afterwards? Those are your endorphins kicking in, telling you that what you just did is healthy for your emotional and physical health! So, no matter what stage of life you’re in, make it a priority to get out and do things with your friends. Whether it’s a quick phone call or grabbing lunch, keep your friends close and remember to have fun!