As St. Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
It might not be obvious at first glance, but exercise and prayer have a lot in common. Both require patience, perseverance, self-discipline, and trust.
It’s no wonder there are several verses about exercise in the Bible, and saints who loved various kinds of exercise. St. Paul used the metaphor of running a race to write about faith in 2 Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” There’s even a patron saint of athletes!
Best of all is combining faith with fitness, so that your workout is also a way to glorify God. These exercise programs approach fitness from a specifically Catholic perspective. Doing them is a great way to strengthen both body and soul!
1SoulCore
Meditate on the Rosary while stretching and moving your body in healthy ways with SoulCore:
“SoulCore is an invitation to nourish body, mind and soul through prayer and functional movement. Engaging all of the senses through candlelight, scripture, sacred art, music and movement, SoulCore encourages deeper reflection on the Mysteries and virtues of the rosary; a gentle path to grow in virtue and cultivate interior peace. ”
2Pietra Fitness
Calm your mind and move your body while praying with Pietra Fitness:
“By combining stretching and strengthening exercises with Christian prayer and meditation, Pietra Fitness workouts enrich your body, mind, and soul so you can glorify God with your entire being.”
They even have a program for kids! (If you’re looking specifically for a Catholic PE curriculum, check out CatholicFIT.)
3Swole.Catholic
Gym-going Catholics will appreciate the camaraderie and apparel from Swole Catholic (“swole” is a slang term for bulking up your muscles from going to the gym). Swole.Catholic is a group of people who dedicate themselves to nurturing their soul while strengthening their bodies. “Through their ministry, they motivate others to do the same.”
4Fit Catholic Mom
Olympian and World Champion coach Rebecca Dussault guides Catholic moms to build their lifestyle sustainably in faith-filled fitness and physical freedom.
5Prayer Motion
Prayer Motion is a Christ-centered exercise program that’s comprehensive and free! It’s “a fun and innovative tool that integrates movement, music and prayer gestures.”
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