New York City fitness instructor Sylvia Borowska has taken her Liftonic weight‑training class in a new direction, offering a grief‑focused session for adults coping with loss. The class, organized through the Grief, Sweat & Tears (GST) initiative, asks participants to lift the heaviest weight they can while visualizing the time that has passed since a loved one died. The $30 pop‑up, held at a local studio, aims to turn the heaviness of grief into a physical challenge that reinforces personal strength.
How the class works
Participants begin by naming the person they have lost, then perform deadlifts for a duration that mirrors the months or years of their mourning. Borowska, who has taught Liftonic classes for five years, shares her own story of losing her mother to lung disease before the workout starts. “Grief is heavy, but we’re stronger than that,” she tells the group, encouraging them to prove their resilience together.
Community and emotional connection
GST, founded in December 2025, runs monthly pop‑up sessions across the city, branding itself as “where grief meets fitness.” Founder Betsy Kaplan started the group after losing her father to suicide, seeking a “no‑pressure zone” where participants could work out without feeling obligated to share personal stories. Over the past six months, about 400 people have taken part in GST classes.
Psychologist Dr. Ryan Martin notes that while there is limited research on emotion‑centered workouts, such classes can provide a supportive community for adults who might find traditional grief groups intimidating. He cautions, however, that intense cardiovascular activity can simulate panic for those prone to anxiety disorders.
Other emotion‑focused fitness trends
Similar concepts are emerging nationwide, from rage‑cycling sessions to anxiety‑focused yoga. In Westminster, Colorado, E‑motion Fitness blends a rage‑room experience with a full‑body workout, allowing participants to smash paint‑filled bottles before moving to a recovery space with art and quiet music.
Experts stress that these classes should complement, not replace, professional therapy. Dr. Ethan Kross of the University of Michigan advises participants to view fitness as one tool among many—including counseling, medication, nature, and reading—to manage grief and stress.
What to consider before joining
Potential participants should feel free to opt out of any exercise that feels overwhelming and should consult health professionals if they have underlying medical conditions. While many report a sense of release, the physiological response—elevated heart rate and muscle tension—does not erase emotional pain, according to Dr. Martin.
As more New Yorkers seek holistic ways to cope with loss, emotion‑centered fitness classes offer a novel, community‑driven option that aligns physical health with emotional well‑being.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
