Impact Movement Co

I'm sure I'm not alone here, but there was a time when I thought feeling better about my body meant I needed to change it.

That the point of exercising was to change your appearance.
I weighed myself daily.
I'd pick up a food packet and look straight at the calories and carbs like that was the most important information.

I've done a lot of work and learnt to change my beliefs around this, but still after working in fitness with Women for nearly 10 years I still see this mindset in others.

I still have days where I don't particularly love how my body looks.

The difference is... it doesn't hold the same importance anymore.

I care so much more about being strong.
About what my body can do.
About having energy for my life and being able to do the things I love.

And beyond my body, just being a good person and having a positive impact on the world.

But when thoughts about my appearance inevitably creep in, I'm much better at recognising it for what it is rather than letting it dictate how I eat, exercise or feel about myself.

That's a pretty bloody freeing place to get to.

Something I want more women to experience.

And a big part of why we do things differently here at Impact Movement Co in Geelong.

To exercise because it makes you feel good.
To get excited about strength training and becoming stronger.
To eat in a way that supports your body without obsessing over every number.

Because, when exercise is viewed as a tool to change your appearance we completely undervalue what it can actually do for us.

We're here to change that.

It might surprise you that all of the women sitting around this table didn't start with us as coaches.

They started as members.
They had their own first day.
Their own nerves.
Their own reasons for wanting to make a change.

I remember meeting each of them for the first time, most with their own doubts and moments of “I don't know if I can do this.”

They got stronger, built confidence and along the way, exercise became something they actually wanted in their lives.

The thing that made everything else feel a little easier.

They found themselves again.

And eventually, they wanted to help other women of Geelong experience that too.

I think that's a pretty big part of why our gym feels the way it does.

Because if you're looking at them now thinking “easy for them, they're gym people"

They weren't always.
They've been on the other side of it.

And maybe that's exactly why they're so bloody good at what they do.

They know what it can feel like to start.
And they know the impact finding the right people and environment can have.

Now they get to be that for someone else.
Pretty cool ripple effect when you think about it.

The name might be new, but the actual impact isn't.

On a regular Saturday maybe a couple of people would have jumped in the ice bath.

But for daffodil day, 17 of our legends hopped in.

And so many for the first time 👏🏼

They each donated $10, we matched it, plus a few others who donated and we raised $380 for the Cancer Council 🌼

It's not a lot, but all the little things add up 💪🏼

Plus, those 17 legends left feeling empowered and probably had a positive impact on the people around them too 🙌🏼

There's been a lot of tedious, headache inducing tasks over the last week or so...

But this is the fun bit!!

But really… it doesn't matter what we're called, whether it's Vibe Fitness Studios, or something else, we still have the same values, beliefs and approach to health and fitness.

We're still the same Family owned Geelong gym with the same awesome team, the same amazing community and the same belief that fitness is about SO much more than just working out and burning calories.

We want people to feel like they belong.
To get stronger and more confident.
To actually enjoy moving their body.
To look after their physical, mental and emotional health without feeling like it's a full time job.

And to realise the impact of all of that reaches a hell of a lot further than what happens inside a gym.

That's the stuff that matters to us.

And after almost 10 years, our vision has grown.

And getting the chance to create a new brand that really represents where we want to take this next?

That's pretty bloody exciting.

And I think we've got it. 👀

Tomorrow you get to meet the next chapter...

I could be wrong...

But I honestly reckon there are a LOT of women in Geelong who will hear Amy talk and think...

Yep. That's me.

Struggling to prioritise yourself.
Feeling sluggish.
Lacking motivation.
Knowing you'd probably feel better if you exercised...
but feeling too unfit to even start.

Amy didn't suddenly find more time or become a “gym person”

She just found somewhere she felt comfortable enough to take the first step.

Now she's telling us she feels comfortable, more energised, clearer in the head, motivated to come, and part of a community.

And I think that's the bit people underestimate.

You don't have to feel ready or confident before you start.

Sometimes those are the things you find BECAUSE you started.

It's been over 6 months since Amy started, and she's been exercising consistently several times a week, even through the cold dark winter of Geelong 💪🏼

In her own words she had 'donated' a lot of money to gyms over the years, but that is no longer the case 👏🏼

If you're watching Amy thinking “I wish I could get myself to that point”...

DM 'Amy' and I'll personally reply to see how we can potentially help 😊

Well... this wasn't exactly part of the plan 😂

After 9 years building this gym community, we've found ourselves in a position where we need to rebrand, fast!

Initially? We freaked out a little/a lot 😬

But once the dust settled, we realised we've actually been talking for a while about where we want to take this in the future.

We've learnt a lot...
About ourselves
About helping people get stronger physically and mentally through exercise.
About what we believe in.
And the impact we really want to have on the community of Geelong, and beyond.

So maybe this is actually the push we didn't know we needed.

We're still figuring parts of it out ourselves, but we thought we'd bring you along for the ride.

This could be fun...