Strengthening the Guf to Elevate the Neshama: How Exercise is Part of Avodas HaShem

For most of my life, I’ve heard the phrase “Avodas HaShem” used in connection with learning, davening, and doing chesed - the spiritual work that connects us to Hashem. But over the past few years, I’ve come to understand that true Avodas HaShem includes caring for the guf — the physical vessel Hashem gave us to carry out His will.

It’s not a side project. It’s part of the avodah itself.

A Mitzvah Hidden in Plain Sight

The Torah tells us: “Venishmartem me’od lenafshoseichem” — take great care of yourselves. Chazal explain that this means protecting not only our souls, but our bodies too. The guf is a kli, a holy vessel that houses the neshama. When it’s weak, tired, or neglected, it becomes harder to serve Hashem with passion and clarity.

Think about how much effort we put into maintaining our tefillin, our mezuzos, our lulav — physical items used for mitzvos. Shouldn’t we treat the very body Hashem gave us with the same reverence and care?

Exercise isn’t vanity. It’s gratitude. It’s kavod for the gift of life. It’s how we ensure we have the strength to dance at our children’s weddings, the energy to learn late into the night, and the focus to daven with kavanah in the morning.

The Birth of Jump Into Shape

When I started Jump Into Shape, I didn’t just want to build another fitness platform. I wanted to create a movement - literally and figuratively - where frum men and women could strengthen their bodies in a tzniusdik, supportive, and structured environment.

It began humbly, with a few live jump rope and strength classes. Then COVID hit, and everything moved online. I realized that by recording and structuring our workouts into programs, we could give people the flexibility to build consistency — on their own time, in their own homes, while still being part of a community.

That model has now grown to over 40 pre-recorded programs, 3,000+ on-demand classes, and a membership community that completes around 2,000 classes every month.

Our members range from Yeshiva students, doctors, Roshei Yeshiva, kidney donors, and great-grandparents. Every one of them is doing the same thing - honoring the body Hashem gave them so they can serve Him better.

Consistency is the Real Strength

One member told me, “I have a fully working elliptical in my house that I never use. But in Jump Into Shape, I can’t get away with that.”

That accountability is key. It’s not just about burning calories - it’s about showing up, building discipline, and cultivating consistency.

Imagine you go to learn every night, but each time you open a different sefer and learn a few random lines. You’re doing something good - but you’re not growing in a structured way. The same applies to exercise. Consistency and progression create lasting transformation - physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Exercise as a Spiritual Act

When someone chooses to get up early for a 15-minute workout instead of hitting snooze, they’re not just strengthening their muscles, they’re strengthening their ratzon. When someone pushes through a tough round of jump rope, they’re training their mind to persevere through challenge.

I’ve seen members who start for health reasons, but stay because it enhances every area of their life as they’re more present for their family, more focused during davening, and even feel more simcha in daily avodah.

A Community of Growth

There’s something powerful about doing this together. Every week, I send messages, track milestones, and celebrate achievements. Some members hit class or calorie milestones; others share stories about newfound energy, weight loss, or even better sleep.

We’ve run programs with organizations like Renewal, where over 150 kidney donors have joined and complete nearly 1,400 classes in a month. For them, staying healthy isn’t optional - it’s a continuation of their mitzvah. They gave life to another person, and through exercise, they continue to honor that gift.

Bringing It All Together

Exercise is not a distraction from Avodas HaShem, but it’s a foundation for it. A healthy guf supports a strong neshama. When we take care of our bodies, we’re saying to Hashem: “Thank You for entrusting me with this vessel. I want to keep it strong so I can serve You better.”

That’s the heart of Jump Into Shape. It’s not about competition, and it’s not about perfection. It’s about partnership, between your body and your soul, and between you and Hashem.

So whether it’s a 10-minute stretch, a 20-minute weights session, or a full jump rope class — every rep, every breath, every bead of sweat can be a small act of Avodas HaShem.

Let’s move with meaning.