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At ZOOZ Fitness, we’re always looking for new ways to help our athletes grow stronger — not just physically, but socially, creatively, and emotionally as well.

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That’s why we’re excited to introduce one of our newest programs: Adult Movement Through Improv, a class that blends creativity, movement, and connection in a way that’s unlike anything else offered at ZOOZ.

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Led by Lauren, ZOOZ’s Director of HR, the class brings together physical activity and imaginative play to create a space where athletes can move their bodies, express themselves, and connect with one another.

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Movement with imagination

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Movement Through Improv may not look like a traditional workout, but don’t let that fool you — participants are constantly moving.

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Instead of lifting weights or running on treadmills, athletes might find themselves acting out an imaginary tug-of-war, pantomiming activities, or transforming into characters like animals or trees. Every class is different, and every activity invites participants to use their creativity.

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“It keeps us moving all around the room,” Lauren explained. “But it’s not a traditional workout class. We’re very physically active, but a lot of the time it’s pantomiming activities, working with each other, and using our imagination.”

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What makes the class especially unique is how interactive it is.

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“It’s a very social class,” Lauren said. “It invites people to participate with each other — not just alongside each other.”

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A class built on creativity and connection

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The idea for Movement Through Improv grew out of Lauren’s background in the arts and disability education.

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For more than 15 years, she has taught improv and theater to people of all ages. After moving to Southern California from San Francisco — where she had been teaching improv throughout the city — she knew she wanted to continue that work.

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So she pitched the idea to ZOOZ founder Jake.

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Thankfully, he said yes.

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Now, just a couple of months after launching, the class is already becoming a favorite for many athletes.

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“It’s been super fun and so creative,” Lauren said.

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Each session follows a loose structure. The class begins with physical warmups, followed by vocal warmups like tongue twisters. Then come the games and activities that encourage athletes to move their bodies in new and imaginative ways.

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Participants might be asked to create a short story using only their bodies, invent characters on the spot, or jump into collaborative games that involve the entire room.

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The one rule that guides everything?

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Say yes.

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“That’s the first rule in improv,” Lauren explained. “Everybody who has participated in this class has done an amazing job showing up and saying yes.”

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Breaking myths about creativity and disability

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Beyond the fun and laughter, the class also serves a bigger purpose.

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Lauren believes improv is a powerful tool for the disability community because it removes pressure and replaces it with acceptance.

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“There are no right answers,” she said. “There’s no getting something right or getting something wrong. Whatever somebody brings into the room with them, we say yes to.”

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That openness creates a space where athletes can explore their creativity freely — something that challenges common misconceptions about disability.

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“There’s a huge myth, especially in the autism community, that people lack imagination or creativity,” Lauren explained. “Improv and arts classes do an amazing job of busting that myth.”

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Watching athletes bring their ideas to life through movement, storytelling, and play proves just how creative the human brain can be when given the opportunity.

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“It’s amazing to see what all of our brains can come up with when we’re given the chance to play,” Lauren said.

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Expanding what fitness can look like

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Movement Through Improv also represents something new for ZOOZ.

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While the gym is known for its adaptive fitness programs, this class is the first to fall under the social recreation umbrella.

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That doesn’t mean participants aren’t getting a workout.

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“There’s definitely a lot of movement,” Lauren said with a laugh. “You might not be lifting weights, but you might be running across the room because you’re pretending to be chased by a swarm of bees.”

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For athletes who may not be drawn to traditional gym workouts, improv offers a different way to stay active while still building confidence, coordination, and social connection.

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Looking ahead

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Although the class has only been running for about two months, Lauren already has big hopes for its future.

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She would love to see more athletes join and experience the joy of improvisation. One day, she even imagines hosting a showcase or event where participants can share their creativity with the larger ZOOZ community.

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“There are really no boundaries and no barriers,” she said. “I just want more people to join us and celebrate their imaginations.”

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At ZOOZ Fitness, we believe movement comes in many forms. Sometimes it looks like lifting weights or pushing a sled. Other times, it looks like pretending to be a tree, telling a story with your body, or running from imaginary bees.

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And in the new Movement Through Improv class, imagination is just as powerful as strength.

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