A Boost in Mental Health Beats Out Bikini-Ready as a Top Fitness Motivator

SAN FRANCISCO, March 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Springtime is synonymous with beach body aspirations, or so one would think. A nationwide survey, conducted online among more than 1,000 U.S. women (ages 18+) by Harris Poll on behalf of The Dailey Method in February, reveals that 60 percent of women say improved mental well-being and stress reduction is a key fitness motivator, compared to 20 percent who say the pursuit of a bikini-ready body, giving "mind over matter" a whole new meaning.  Additional key fitness motivators for women include the need for increased energy (38 percent) and improved self-confidence (38 percent). 

"We hear more and more from our students that one of their biggest take-aways from class, aside from gaining strength and flexibility, is improved mood, a feeling of peace and empowerment," explains Jill Dailey, founder and creator of The Dailey Method, a unique combination of ballet barre work, core conditioning, muscle strengthening, yoga, and orthopedic exercises.  "It's no surprise that students walk out of class physically stronger, but we're always interested to learn about the enormous value women place on mental well-being achieved by taking a class – they often tell us it's their foundation for the day."

The Dailey Method is unique in the barre class industry because of its commitment to continued education and a practice that continually evolves to meet students' ever-changing needs. Dailey adds, "Women have more pressure and demands than ever before and we've had to continually evolve our class to deliver more of a full service offering resulting in a stronger, slimmer physique but also stress reduction, better posture, breathing techniques and simple awareness and mindfulness in every move.  Our goal is to achieve body and mind balance and connection that translate from the classroom to the outside world."

Variety is key for women when picking a fitness regimen; more than half (53 percent) of U.S. women report getting bored with their fitness regimen and giving it up all together. 

"We pride ourselves on the breadth and depth of our offerings and that each class is different than the one before," explains The Dailey Method Chief Anatomy and Studio Co-owner Kerry Corcoran.  "Movements are small, controlled and orthopedically based.  Using this format ensures that students get a balanced workout that is extremely efficient but also unique on every visit."

Continuing to change it up, The Dailey Method recently debuted its newest class, Dailey Interval, which is based on the same foundation and alignment principles, and it provides amazing heart strengthening benefits by combining periods of high and low intensity movements.

WORKING THE MIND & BODY - A NEW MEANING TO SPRING SHAPE UP SEASON

According to the survey, one-third (33 percent) of women say improving or maintaining good posture is a key fitness motivator for them.  While many big box gyms and workout regimens will focus on weight-loss and bathing-suit readiness this spring, The Dailey Method focuses on the balance of mind and body strengthening from the inside out.  At the core of what sets The Dailey Method apart is its focus on neutral spine and proper alignment. 

"Your spine is the epi-center of your body," says Corcoran.  "We focus on proper spinal positions throughout class while laser focusing on the inner most layers of muscles that hug the bone.  It's this method that translates not only to a stronger physique but better posture and a stronger mental attitude."

The new survey confirms the connection between springtime and workout ambitions.  About half (49 percent) of women start and stop fitness regimens several times a year, and three out of five (58 percent) women claim they are generally more motivated to re-commit to fitness in the spring.

For more survey findings and information on the world-renown barre exercise, The Dailey Method, visit www.thedaileymethod.com.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of The Dailey Method from Feb. 4-6, 2014 among 1,093 adult women ages 18+. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, contact Apryl Ash at [email protected].

About The Dailey Method®
For 14 years Jill Dailey has been transforming people's minds and bodies with her signature The Dailey Method fitness-focused barre workout.  Since opening its first location in June 2000 in San Francisco, the company has grown into an international phenomenon with more than 50 locations globally, easy-to-follow DVDs and downloadable and streaming digital versions of the DVDs. The Dailey Method has developed a passionate and loyal following amongst its clientele and more studio openings are in the works.

Press contact: 
Apryl Ash
Purple Door Communications
[email protected] 
614-439-7596

SOURCE The Dailey Method