Run The Date, rock climbing gyms and run clubs continue to be a trend.
By: Lily Mitchell
Stone Climbing Gym just opened a second location in Jacksonville, which now makes three rock climbing gyms in the area, including Beaches Rock Gym and The Edge Rock Gym. More spaces like this are opening up around the area, reflecting an increase in fitness infrastructure that might be because of the rising popularity of getting active. Although fitness has no age limit, people in their 20’s have brought a new meaning to self-care by adopting an active lifestyle.
Summer Peralta is one such individual. She grew tired of the party culture that her peers participated in every weekend and wanted something that was more rewarding. She has tried all kinds of activities to keep her occupied, from reformer pilates to boxing, but nothing has stuck with her like rock climbing. Peralta joined Stone Climbing Gym when they first opened in January and has been coming ever since.
“The push away from party culture has been huge and like there’s different satisfaction that comes with a sport like this or a hobby like this,” said Summer.
She’s right, that ‘different satisfaction’ can otherwise be known as a reward cascade or climber’s high. It’s a neurochemical reaction that releases chemicals in the brain, like dopamine and endorphins, that leads to a mood boost or climber’s high. This type of high can come from other forms of physical activity too, but one study published by the National Library of Medicine, found that rock climbing in particular demands a certain mindfulness and attention that boosts your memory capacity.
Places like Stone have highlighted how exercise is becoming a social activity and seen as another way to take care of yourself. Other activities have become popular for this very reason too, like running daily. Bella Lotti began her running journey at the start of the year with a challenge called ‘Run the Date.’
It’s exactly what it sounds like- each day you run the distance of the date, say it’s February 17th, you’re supposed to run 2.17 miles and so on until the end of the year. She found out about the challenge on Instagram, where the trend first appeared two years ago as a way to connect like-minded people.
It’s not uncommon for social media to be used as a tool to help propel these kinds of challenges that want to make fitness more than just a physical workout- they want to make it a community. Run clubs are popping up in every neighborhood, and Jacksonville is no stranger to them, with their most popular clubs being Neptune Run Crew and Jacksonville Run Club. Southern Swell is another one that, although it isn’t trending, it focuses on what’s important and that is that you’re out here and moving.
At the end of the day, even if it’s a challenge or a trend, fitness is important for everyone. The benefits that come from moving your body are more than just physical; it’s social and mental as well.