Fred Finds Fitness

This blog entry marks a reflection over my progress from September 18th to September 24th, detailing my routine, emotional journey, and long-term goals. I've made strides since my last update, each step painting a clearer picture of my evolving fitness journey. Activities: September 18th: Alpha Strength, FLOW (Yoga), AMP Cycle September 19th: Alpha Strength, FLOW (Yoga), Pickleball League Play September 20th: Barbell Strength, FLOW - Guided (Yoga), Strength and SURRENDER event (Alpha Strength and SURRENDER (Yin Yoga)) September 21st: H.I.I.T Class at Rochester Athletic Club (Thanks to my dear Mother for the guest pass).  September 22nd: AMP Cycle (Thank you coworker David for joining me at this class), Alpha Conditioning, Warrior Sculpt, Fight Conditioning September 23rd: TGT Center Triathlon Event (Warrior Sculpt, AMP Cycle, and Alpha Conditioning). September 24th: Rest Day, SURRENDER (Yin Yoga), 3.75-mile walk I'll be transitioning away from the Pickleball league, making room...

In the budding blooms of May, I found myself immersed in the lively world of pickleball. My mornings transformed into a flurry of swift moves and friendly matches at a nearby club, where the dawn bore witness to my evolution from a novice to a confident player, effortlessly gliding on the court during the recreation open plays. That initial journey was nothing short of exhilarating, filled with laughter, improvement, and a newfound love for the game. Yet, as the weeks melted into months, a promising opportunity arose that soon morphed into an overwhelming ordeal. The vibrant halls of my local Lifetime Athletic beckoned me to join their pickleball league, a call I couldn't resist given my earlier successful stint. Little did I know, this venture would come to test my resilience and spirit in unexpected ways. Entering the league, optimism bubbled within me, fueled by memories of joyous games and triumphant progress. However, the reality proved starkly different. The intermediate leag...

Over the past two weeks, I've tested both my limits and resolve. Day by day, I have participate in an array of workout classes, each one presenting its own set of challenges and triumphs.  My daily log showcases a consistent dedication: ----- 9/5: Alpha Strength and hree HOTWORX spin classes 9/6: Core and Barbell Strength 9/7: Ultra Fit 9/8: Alpha Conditioning and Fight Conditioning  9/9: Warrior sculpt, Flow (yoga), and Alpha Conditioning  9/10: Rest day 9/11: Alpha strength, Warrior Sculpt, and SURRENDER (relaxing floor yoga) 9/12: Ultra Fit and Pickleball League 9/13: Alpha Strength 9/14: Alpha Strength and Warrior Sculpt 9/15: AMP cycle and Fight Conditioning 9/16: Double GTX classes 9/17: SURRENDER (relaxing floor yoga) 9/18: Alpha strength, Flow (yoga), and AMP cycle. ----- Today, I anticipate the excitement of the Pickleball league and look forward to a rejuvenating FLOW (yoga) class beforehand. As I charge through this intensive period, I can clearly see the progr...

In the muted morning, a drizzling drama unfolded. Spirited and slightly sleepy, coworker Kathryn and I ventured to Lifetime Fitness. Buzzing whispers about my fiery frolics with Kari in previous sessions had stirred the curiosity at the BRIGHT office, catapulting Kathryn into this cycling saga. This former cycle instructor was all set to dazzle at the daring dawn cycle class. As the room reverberated with rhythms ripped right from The Barbie Movie – a playful playlist courtesy of our effervescent instructor, John – we couldn't help but be swept into a whimsical whirlwind. With the release of the movie a few months past, Jon’s choice seemed slightly out of sync, yet perfectly fitting for the session's vibrant vibe. No apologies needed; I was bashfully belting out the familiar tunes under my breaths, adding a melodious undertone to our morning escapade. The session teetered between thrill and therapy; a bewitching ballet of bicycles married with melodious movement. While the symp...

In my ever-evolving fitness journey, vibrant strokes of experience paint my path. From early morning classes that elevate my spirit to muscle-building sessions that work me to my core, each day offers something new. While I don't share every detail here, I'm eager to unveil a fresh snippet of this colorful journey, peppered with camaraderie and joyful banter. This week, the early morning zest embraced me wholly. It started with an amusing chat with Wendy during a core class, where her cheeky comparison of planks to modern sit-ups ignited a fun and lively exchange. This conversation not only brought smiles but also stirred a quirky confusion that left a lingering smirk on my face well beyond the session. Further, I delved deep into deciphering Nas's cryptic rallying cries during an UltraFit class. I managed to unravel the hidden message, a forewarning of the grueling treadmill challenges ahead. This revelation - a "light bulb" moment - transformed the phrase "...

In a fresh break from the usual tempo of my workouts at Life Time, I ventured into a new domain of fitness, guided by my coworker, Kari - the crowned gem of office fitness. With a bright sparkle of excitement, she lured me with the promise of a 15-minute workout session, nestled in the warm embrace of an infrared sauna. The proposition, abuzz with benefits like amplified sweat and reduced soreness, was too enticing to refuse. Equipped with an arsenal of towels and a resolute spirit, I embarked on this new journey, taking Kari's advice to heart. Her tales of enriched workout experiences fueled my burgeoning curiosity and optimism. The banter of my other coworkers added a touch of mirth to my mounting anticipation, forming a delightful prelude to the evening's unfolding narrative. A brush with the ever-unpredictable traffic seemed like a small hurdle as I managed to reach just in the nick of time, greeted by a vibrant setup that promised a unique workout experience. Onscreen, vib...

Before dawns first light, a small group of us congregated in the haven of grit and muscle. Aaron, our vibrant leader, bore rainbow socks and a fresh haircut, seemingly epitomizing the morning's fresh promise. His demeanor, cheerfully infectious, grounded us in the present, bridging gaps with a casual inquiry about a birthday Beyonce concert that none of us had tuned into. Our journey into strength embarked with box squats, a vivid sign of the progress coming my way, echoed in Aaron's subtle adjustments and affirming comments. His guidance, both whimsical and freeing, felt like unveiling the mysteries of squats that once seemed elusive. This newfound command saw me hoisting weights that boldly challenged my past limitations, with Aaron standing by, a steady stream of encouragement and recognition. Then unfolded the second chapter of our morning saga, a combination of bent-over barbell rows and kettlebell lifts. Even as a newcomer to these, I found my pace, assessing my own capab...

Under the warming embrace of the afternoon, I ventured into the realm of SOL (Heated), an oasis where body met spirit in a dance of tranquil power. A sanctuary where yoga, in its purest form, cradled us in the embrace of gravity and grace. Having already danced with the relentless rhythm of the PWR cycle, my body bore the marks of strenuous labor, a canvas soaked in the sincerity of effort. In the heated womb of this yoga space, my sweat narrated tales of struggle and perseverance, transforming me into a living, breathing embodiment of a torrential downpour. Guiding us through this odyssey was Nina, a beacon of serenity, steering us gently into the depths of our inner landscape. Through her, we were encouraged to sidestep the scrutinizing mind, and instead, forge a delicate bond with our ephemeral emotions, a tender meeting of self with self. Yet, amidst the sea of tranquility, I found myself grappling with turbulent currents. The cruel whispers of self-judgment echoing in my ears, car...

In the gentle grip of the morning, I stepped into the PWR cycle realm, a place governed by numbers and spirited effort. Our guide through this numerical journey was Bill, a slender figure, seasoned yet brimming with youthful energy, punctuating the session with light-hearted banter and quips. The class seemed a calculus of self-measurement, urging us to find a delicate balance between the rhythm of our bodies and the ticking metrics of the machines. Relying on the memory of a past FTP test, I anchored myself around a power output of 200W, making the session resonate on a deeper, personal level. The structure of the class unfolded like a story with several chapters, each a unique blend of intense pedaling followed by moments of blissful recovery. These short breaks felt like a soothing touch on my aching muscles, granting them fleeting moments of peace amidst the energetic tempest. Yet, as I pushed forward, a nagging feeling of fatigue began to seep in. My body, once an eager participan...

At the whispering hour of 9:30 pm, the river road beckoned me, promising a nocturnal rendezvous steeped in solitude and introspection.  The day had been a cocktail of highs and lows, oscillating between pickleball games and planned rest days to balance out the impending challenges of tomorrow’s double header - PWR Cycle and the heated embrace of a SOL class. My original ambition was a trifecta of classes but today’s impromptu game turned out to be a gentle, calorie-burning reprieve, thus the plan shifted, adapting to the rhythmic dance of exertion and relaxation. Yet, the focal point of this narrative isn’t the light-hearted pickleball session. Instead, it's a richly textured account of an evening run that embraced me, an electrifying dance with the fading light on the familiar trail of river road.  Emotions, much like the unyielding tide, sway persistently between crests and troughs. As evening draped its velvet cloak, a torrent of unresolved sentiments resurfaced, piercing t...

The day began with an unexpected twist: the abrupt cancellation of the eagerly anticipated "PowerBuilding Workshop" at the Highland Life Time. This marked an unprecedented hiccup in my fitness blogging voyage. My anticipated narrative, punctuated with a routine class review, took a surprising yet rewarding detour.  The stage was set for a different kind of workout, helping my older brother and his fiancée transition from the bustling streets of Minneapolis to the quieter realms of St. Paul. Chaos seemingly dictated the early hours. Pinning down a concrete time for my assistance seemed almost as strenuous as the physical labor awaiting us. Perhaps, demanding a formal Google calendar invite was a bit too much. Yet, in the familial spirit, I couldn't resist. Our mother, an undeniable powerhouse with a staggering track record of the better half of 50 moves, joined the fray with husband Tom. She arrived, showcasing not only her strength but a proven strategy to tackle the day,...

An interesting shift this week. This isn't your usual play-by-play of an isolated session but a panoramic view from August 28th onward. Six classes are missing from my log. They include the inferno that was Warrior Sculpt with Anthony, the awakening Core session with Wendy, Barbell Strength, the pulsating Fight-Conditioning helmed by Michael, UltraFit's intense outing with Nas, and, not to be forgotten, the guided push of Alpha Conditioning by Amanda. The more I write, the more I sense a decline in the quality of these reviews. As I traverse the familiar lanes of the Target Center Life Time, the lure of new experiences wanes. A routine, while essential, is starting to cast its shadow. Yet, Saturdays beckon with the promise of fresh adventures. This blog, after all, morphs according to my whim. Stay tuned for Core and Fight-Conditioning. To address the elephant in the room—those missed classes: Warrior Sculpt was an intense rendezvous at the Target Center Life Time with Anthony,...