Can Exercise Help With Loss? Working Out to Work Out Grief

A grief-themed fitness class may be a good tool for healing after loss

Emotion-themed fitness classes are growing in popularity, from yoga for managing anxiety to cycling classes for coping with anger. Recently, exercise classes have been developed nationwide to help participants going through loss.

In December 2025, a “community-centered fitness experience” in New York called Grief, Sweat & Tears was founded to assist participants in managing their grief through exercise and physical movement. Featured in an article by People Magazine in September, 2026, the program offers “shared movement, release and a space to connect with others who get it,” the organization says on its website. 

Movement and Mourning

Grief is often physical and can result in disrupted sleep, diminished energy levels and decreased appetite. Exercise may be able to help ease this physical burden loss places on the body. 

A 2021 review of 25 Sports Medicine studies found that physical activity can ease symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress in bereaved people. Lancaster University data analysis found that older adults, in particular, benefit from physical activity as a way to improve physical and mental health, including during bereavement. 

Exercise may contribute to a sense of freedom and provide an outlet for emotional expression, as well. The grief experts and fitness instructors interviewed by People Magazine point out that exercise offers people a sense of agency when life feels out of control; losing someone commonly feels like your choices are being taken away, but lifting a weight or finishing a marathon helps put you back in the driver’s seat. 

Sense of Community

When working out results in social interactions, like a group fitness class or running a marathon with others, it can have a positive effect on mental health. CNN quoted psychologist Ryan Martin, who suggested a workout class can feel less overwhelming than grief support groups because there is a shared experience without dwelling on the issue or putting pressure on participants to share.

The founder of Grief, Sweat & Tears intended a pressure-free space where your story doesn’t have to be shared. Participants reported positive experiences and made connections.

What the Experts Say

Psychologist Ethan Kross explained that exercise classes for grief are “just the tip of the iceberg” when it comes to community healing. Exercise alone can’t effectively manage every symptom of grief, and for some people the effects of exercise may not be beneficial if one’s goals are to relax and release tension in the muscles.

“It keeps the heart elevated at a time when the goal is typically to decrease the heart rate. It keeps your muscles tense at a time when the goal is often to decrease that muscle tension,” Ryan Martin explained.

Ultimately, it’s important to listen to your body and what it needs. Self-experimentation can be beneficial to see what types of activities work best for healing. If working out feels too overwhelming, however, give yourself an exit and experiment gently. If cardio starts to simulate panic, or venting your anger through exercise causes you to hold on to it longer, it may be wise to pivot to other types of therapeutic activities. 

While exercise doesn’t “fix” grief, it can help manage physical symptoms and provide an outlet for complex emotions. More research is needed on the subject to determine all of the benefits and drawbacks. When used cautiously alongside other sources of support, however, it can serve as an excellent healing tool in one’s toolbox when mourning the loss of a loved one.

Looking to Move Through Grief in Community?

Whether you’re drawn to gentle movement, somatic healing, or simply being around others who understand loss, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Explore upcoming grief retreats, yoga sessions, walks, and workshops on the SevenPonds Events Calendar or list your own community gathering, currently for free.

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