Like many Gen Xers, I grew up with body image issues, tying my self-worth to the number on the scale and my clothing size. After all, we grew up before the body positivity movement, when all the models we saw on magazine covers and in ads were a size 0. My weight has fluctuated throughout most of my adult life, leading to various diet and exercise programs that never helped me achieve what was, in my mind, the perfect body, or self-acceptance. Sound familiar?  

Enter Body Groove, a program that focuses on vibrant health achieved by self-love and learning to respect your body. It’s fun, and I am learning how to have a healthier relationship with my body. In fact, I threw out my scale.

What is Body Groove?

Body Groove On-Demand is a streaming platform that includes over 600 dance-inspired workouts for cardio, pilates, yoga, therapeutic movement, and toning. Can’t dance? Think again. Dancing came naturally for most of us in infancy when we were uninhibited — in fact, babies often dance before they even learn to crawl. For some of us, growing more inhibited with age stifled that natural inclination to dance. 

Body Groove requires you to shake off those inhibitions. New workouts are added frequently to keep things fresh. The platform also includes guided meditations and the Find Your Groove workshop, designed to help you learn to love yourself as you are.   

Body Groove is for everybody… every body 

People of all ages, fitness levels, body shapes and sizes can benefit from Body Groove — you’ll see a diverse group working out in the videos. There are even kid- and senior-friendly workouts. And best of all, “you can’t get it wrong.” You are guided through simple steps and rhythms but encouraged to do it your own way. Modify however you need to, even sitting down.  

Body Groove instructors encourage you to be free, creative, playful, and even weird at times. Best of all, these workouts incorporate all types of dance (and even a little kickboxing and tai chi). Don’t know a particular dance style? Fake it. There is no rigid choreography here. Many of the workouts emphasize functional movement to maintain joint health and balance.   

I love that I can work out barefoot and in my pajamas. Misty and her crew wear a variety of colorful, flowy clothing — anything goes, as long as it’s comfortable and doesn’t restrict your movement. If it’s fun to wear, even better.

The major downside is that not enough emphasis is placed on weight training. Strength workouts are included, but no weights are used. Studies show that weight-bearing exercises increase bone density and decrease your risk of fractures, osteoporosis and osteopenia, so weight training is critical for fighting bone loss as we age.  

The antidote to the toxic fitness industry

Body Groove is the brainchild of Misty Tripoli, a fitness professional (and Gen Xer!) who once worked with several major fitness brands. Despite her success, she suffered from severe bulimia and overwork in her struggle to stay at the top of her game. She was, in her words, “the most toxic and unhealthy person I knew.” 

While meditating one day, Tripoli was struck with what she calls “a profound punch in the face with truth,” that the fitness industry was toxic and she was harming her clients mentally and emotionally by perpetuating the ideal of the perfect body. This was the moment that started her own path toward healing from her eating disorder. This life-altering realization led to the creation of Body Groove, which is now a global movement that includes live classes, workshops and retreats.  

It’s worth mentioning that Misty’s workshops, which are included on the streaming platform, dive deeper into her struggles with body image and bulimia. This is possibly triggering for others dealing with an eating disorder.  

I am still a work in progress, but Body Groove keeps me focused on nurturing my body instead of punishing it. Misty reminds us that we’re here to live joyfully and creatively and not obsess over our clothing size. That said, a lot of women have lost weight using Body Groove, as the testimonials show.      

How to subscribe to Body Groove

Body Groove On-Demand is available on multiple streaming devices. The subscription costs $13.99 per month or $99 per year. The exercise equipment you’ll need is minimal: a yoga mat and some optional wrist weights and resistance bands.

Body Groove is a lot more fun than the gym and a lot less expensive. It’s definitely worth making this investment in yourself, reconnecting with that inner child who loves to dance, and learning how to change your relationship with your body.