The benefits of exercise and fitness training have been written and lectured about for a long time. Exercising and training for fitness include benefits of heart health, losing weight, stronger muscles, mental health, and a general feeling of well-being just to name a few. I read an article in Nutrition Health Review (March-April 2022 issue) that emphasized one more benefit. The benefit was help in recovering from alcohol or drug addiction.
Three men in Florida in 2007 founded an organization named Temperance Training. The men were in recovery and found that fitness helped strengthen their sobriety, put them in touch with other health-minded humans and made them stronger mentally and physically. The organization focuses on the CrossFit system of training that they felt did the most good. While the group uses the CrossFit approach, almost any solid fitness program will work. Some take up running and others lift weights to have an outlet other than the use of alcohol or drugs.
The free classes offered every day to any individual are called “Weekday Warriors.” The workouts are an hour long and are adjusted to each individual’s fitness level. The one requirement to participate is that each person have at least 24 hours of sobriety before joining the workout. The weekend fitness class is called “Sober Sunday.” The classes strive to foster personal growth through physical endurance, peer-to-peer accountability and opportunities for service and fellowship. The classes are coached by a certified trainer and include a warm-up followed by a strength component and metabolic training.
