Letter from the Director

Austinites are there for one another.

Throughout this year, this is one thing that has stayed the same.

In 2020, we have all gone through plenty of changes: switching from in-person meetings to Zoom conferences, having conversations with others 6+ feet away and exchanging the classic handshake for an elbow nudge or air hug.

And, over the last few months, we have shared stories filled with warmth and compassion about the residents in our city who have shown up for each other and supported one another — especially in our fitness community.

There was no question as to whether or not we were going to hold our annual Best Of voting this year, given the circumstances. Yes, many local businesses were forced to close their doors at the beginning of the pandemic, however many of those doors have since been reopened. We’re back in the gym — and gaining our strength again.

This year especially, we wanted to ensure that local businesses and inspirational figures in the community would receive the recognition they deserved for 2020. Even if many fitness classes are still held virtually, Austinites are still making it a point to come together to make health and fitness a priority — and this was seen in the thousands of votes AFM received for this year’s Best Of 2020 Issue.

Fitness classes? Still have ‘em — but make it virtual. Running groups? Back on — just smaller. Switched to home fitness? We’ve gotten creative, improvising with household items to use for weights. The Austin fitness community adapted — and prevailed.

As many of us are already looking to 2021, let’s take this time to recognize the businesses, gyms, shops and people who have impacted our health and fitness community, especially during one of the toughest and most unpredictable years ever. Winners, thank you for going above and beyond to fulfill our mission to educate, motivate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle. In a year when we needed motivation and inspiration most, you truly kept us going.

Congratulations to all of our Best Of 2020 winners!

Keep Austin Fit,

Emily Effren