If you are at all familiar with Innovative Fitness or the IF Experience you have likely been asked (or told) by one of your coaches to participate in an upcoming event. Whether it is an international event like Kilimanjaro or the Grand Canyon, or a Local Event like the Sun Run, a snowshoe trip or a workout at Wreck Beach, chances are that if you haven’t been out to one (or many), you have at least heard rumours about them.
I love training for something – there is nothing more motivating than selecting an event (or goal, or destination) that I am excited for, planning for it and preparing myself for it. I have done it for myself and I love helping others do the same.
Not only are events motivating, they also present the perfect opportunity to get to know fellow members and coaches. Our community becomes closer, and that is incredible. It removes insecurities that you may have when you walk into a gym because you are walking into a gym where everyone knows your name—we are all friends. Sure your coach is there to challenge you and make you sweat but you’re going to have an amazing time doing it!
Not only are events motivating, they also present the perfect opportunity to get to know fellow members and coaches.
What really gets me excited about events is when I hear of members training for them on their own, outside of the gym. Of course, we all help prepare you for an event both inside and outside the gym but when I hear that a member has polished off a long, slow, distance training run or completed their own workout – I LOVE it because it means that those endorphins are rubbing off a little and another person is developing a passion for healthy living!
Just this past week, 2 members did workouts on their own, a handful of members ran outside and one of my newer members asked me for a workout to do over the weekend. THIS is Innovative Fitness – we do things together, we do things for ourselves, but more than anything we challenge ourselves to DO things that are incredible.
One particular member comes to mind when I think of events – she attends any event she is available for and has even initiated many events (and events to come). Her name is Aman Basi – I started training her back in 2014 when I profiled her for the very first time at IF Kits. Since then Aman has had so many success stories because she works hard and gets involved as much as she can. Within a month of knowing her, I asked her if she’d be down to venture off to the Grand Canyon for an EPIC hiking adventure with me. She said YES right away. No questions, no excuse, just YES.
From there she has completed her first half marathon (and is currently training for the upcoming BMO half), completed the IF Adventure Challenge, helped her own friends complete their first 5 and 8 km races and is participating in the upcoming Tofino Surf Trip. Why? Because they are fun and they are addicting. Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of something mind-blowing?
She said YES right away. No questions, no excuse, just YES.
Last month we had many events to sign up for – there was the Workout to Conquer Cancer with Casey on April 2, 5 Peaks at Alice Lake with Ben on April 16, Wreck Beach Stair Workout with myself on April 16 and the Sun Run with David on April 17.
This month, we have the BMO Marathon, half marathon and 8 km on May 1st and the Tofino Surf Trip on May 20-23. And if you talk to your coach, I am sure there are many more!
Gather your courage, push yourself and do something extraordinary. You only live once and here at IF, excuses aren’t allowed.
