The concept of “third spaces”—environments outside of home and work where people find connection and a sense of belonging—has been gaining a lot of traction in recent years. Perhaps the pandemic, when those two primary spaces merged into one, led us to collectively recognize the value of having another location where we gather with friends or like-minded neighbors and simply enjoy ourselves. Adding physical fitness to the mix only elevates the value of your third space. 

What Is a Third Space?

A third space is a physical location outside of work and home where you can spend some of your leisure time and socialize with people who share your interests and that facilitates a sense of community, social interaction and support. Importantly, there is no obligation to be there and cost should not be a barrier. It is literally a third space where you regularly spend time in order to break up the work–home cycle that is so easy to fall into. Classic examples include coffee shop meetups with friends, book club meetings, happy hour festivities and faith-based gatherings. The ultimate goal of the third space, whatever form it takes, is connection with others.

Why is that connection so valuable? Interacting with people outside your day-to-day circle of coworkers and family members allows you to either reinforce relationships with existing friends or meet new people who share your interests and with whom you can socialize in a more organic and meaningful way than you might with coworkers.

This type of connection can support your mental health and overall well-being by  improving stress responses, minimizing the negative effects of stress and creating a sense of belonging. Third spaces also can encourage you to expand your horizons and try new things by making them less intimidating and a lot more fun.

Where Does Fitness Enter the Conversation? 

Any space or event that builds social connection as people move together with a purpose is an example of “fitness as a third space.”

Imagine you move to a new part of the country and want to explore the hiking trails in your area. You can either head out on your own and reap the physical health benefits of exercising and getting outside, or you can join a local hiking group and expand on those physical benefits by incorporating camaraderie and conversation, thereby benefiting your mental health as you climb those dreaded switchback trails.

Fitness facilities serve that same purpose for many people. Group fitness classes are the perfect example of how fitness centers can serve as a third space, as they typically provide a sense of “we’re all in this together” as participants pursue shared fitness goals. In addition, a skilled fitness instructor may foster meaningful connections within the group, bolstering a sense of belonging, purpose and meaning. Small-group personal-training sessions can create that same environment, as can simply going to the gym with some friends and socializing as you walk on neighboring treadmills, spot one another when using free weights or take turns using resistance-training machines.

Other physical activity–based third spaces include community recreation leagues, running clubs and fitness classes taught in public spaces—think boot camp in the park or yoga on the beach.

Final Thoughts

As more and more of our lives—from work to socializing—move online, people have begun to crave the true connection and sense of belonging that is best achieved through face-to-face interaction. Couple that with a growing focus on health and wellness and you’ve created the perfect opportunity for fitness to become the third space in people’s lives.

Get started by seeking out like-minded people in your community and gathering to pursue shared goals. Nothing brings people together like conquering something as a group, whether that’s a steep hiking trail, tough weightlifting session or even a leisurely walk in the park. The key is that you feel a sense of belonging and empowerment as you move together and simply enjoy one another’s company.

If you’re interested in finding a place to be physically active in your community, do a quick search on Facebook for local groups that align with your interests. Or, check out these websites/apps*: www.meetup.com www.gymbuddyapp.com www.strava.com www.sweatpals.com www.rei.com/events