VIDEO: Catholic Workout in NYC Unites Young Adults in Faith
GREENWICH VILLAGE — The music was pumping, heart rates were climbing, and sweat was flowing, but for about 40 people gathered at a Greenwich Village gym, the workout was about more than getting in shape.
The Oct. 4 workout brought Catholics together for an opportunity to exercise, pray, and meet others who share their faith.
Catholic wellness influencer Isabella Orlando and personal trainer Daniel McKenna organized the high-intensity workout, which combined fitness with Catholic fellowship.
“I think in the gym, people tend to have this habit to isolate for reasons related to lifting or otherwise,” Nicholas Hanley said. “So this is a nice one that kind of like breaks the mold.”
For Olivia Flynn, the event offered a chance to meet new people while getting a workout in.
“It is a good opportunity for me to get out there and meet some new people that have kind of the same beliefs as I, and then get a great workout in,” Flynn said.
Orlando, who shares Catholic wellness content through @belovedhealthco, said the idea grew out of a desire to create more opportunities for Catholics to connect outside of Mass.
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“I love going to Mass and like having my reverent time with prayer and just in silence. It’s amazing. But like, you leave Mass, and I feel like the city is just hustle and bustle,” Orlando said. “Sometimes you just really don’t get to talk to many people after Mass if there’s no social or coffee hour.”
McKenna, who shares content through @theirish_yank, said faith can make it easier for people to connect with one another.
“You kind of know the values of the person and it kind of helps to — it’s an icebreaker without needing one,” McKenna said.
The faith element was incorporated into the workout from the start. Instead of beginning with a traditional stretching routine, participants opened the session with prayer.
Sean Philzone, who attended the class, said the experience created a sense of unity among the participants.
“I mean, how awesome is that? Right? We’re all, you know, asked for the Holy Spirit to come down and bless our workout, and we’re all together, you know, working out as one,” Philzone said.
For Nicole Benoit, the event answered a desire to find community.
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“The last couple years, I really felt that God was calling me to, like, find and settle down in a community,” Benoit said. “This is the first time I’ve been able to experience that, to find community in the workout.”
The workout included squats and high-intensity intervals, leaving participants exhausted but eager for another gathering.
“I loved it. It kicked my butt. I’m red as a tomato, sweating, but I would definitely be back if there was another one,” Flynn said.
Philzone said the workout fostered a sense of support among the group.
“You really felt that connection. Everyone’s working together. We’re all supporting each other. I think just as God intended,” he said.
Orlando and McKenna hope to organize another Catholic workout before the end of the year, giving participants another opportunity to combine fitness, prayer, and fellowship.