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I read about this fitness tribe (and movement) from an article in Runner's World and I really connected with the spirit of what they do. I would love to visit Boston and give one of these workouts a try one day!
Here's a good summary of what they are about:
http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2013/01/november-project/:
The November Project began last fall as a pact between friends who wanted to stay in shape, but has evolved into what co-founders Brogan Graham, AS’06, and Bojan Mandaric, AS’06, call a “fitness tribe.” On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6:30 a.m., hundreds of Bostonians — many of whom are in their 20s and 30s and graduates of Northeastern— gather for intense workouts at locations such as Allston’s Harvard Stadium and Brookline’s Summit Avenue.
Last month, GoNU highlighted the November Project, a three-year-old endeavor that aims to duplicate the camaraderie and accountability that Graham and Mandaric showcased as rowers for Northeastern’s crew team. We caught up with Graham to find out what gets him out of bed in the morning and what makes the group successful.
- See more at: http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2013/01/november-project/#sthash.NC4KAksI.dpufWhat about November Project gets people out of bed for the workout?
A lot of people think they have to pay a lot of money at a gym to stay in shape. This is free—and it’s a lot more fun. We’re using the city as our playground and we’re building a community. We have a Bruins player right next to a woman with her dog next to a fat guy next to an undergrad, and each of those people is as much a part of this as any other. I love just guiding the interaction, whether it’s a big group hug before a workout or a high five while you’re running up the hill or stadium stairs. I love making people turn to introduce themselves, because then they’re going to do that when they’re in the library or the supermarket when they see someone wearing a November Project t-shirt.
We’ve found that people really connect through social media, too. We take photos and videos all the time and then post them online. When you share your videos online, it’s like starring in your own low-level Nike commercial. We’ve seen people get more competitive about their time or become more serious about their workouts.
We hold people accountable, too. If you say you’re going to be there, we’re going to hold you to it. That’s where we came up with the idea of “We Missed You,” which is a section of our blog where we call out people who say they’re going to be there and then bail. Fear of getting your name and picture up there is enough to get a lot of people out of their bed in the morning.
From November Project's website:
"November Project is a FREE fitness movement that was born in Boston as a way to stay in shape during the cold New England months. Now present in multiple cities in across four time zones in North America, the movement is using a simple sense of accountability (verbal) to motivate and encourage people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and fitness levels to get out of their beds and get moving. Our members vary from Olympic medalists, professional athletes, marathoners, triathletes, current and former collegiate athletes all the way to complete fitness rookies and recent couch potatoes just looking to kickstart their healthy life choices. If you think that you're not fit enough to join the group, stop thinking and come see what the fuss is all about."
I loved this idea so much that I decided to start my own (free) fitness tribe the beginning of this year. I am already a part of an awesome group called the Fit Chicks and we train together for foot races and triathlons. The particular demographic that I belong to (mom caring for small children) needed something more. I have a gym membership but you know, that gets old, LONELY, and BORING. I still go to the gym because I need it for triathlon training. I am quickly finding that outdoor group workouts (with people you like + our small children) is more than fun... It is challenging, inspiring, and teaching our children to lead active lifestyles through play and community building.
All through middle school, high school, and college I gravitated toward leadership roles in community building organizations. I learned early on that this interdependence is conducive to both personal and group successes. We set goals and worked toward them. We. All. Won. TOGETHER.
My mission for our fitness tribe is this:
"To nurture our inner athlete and grow strong in mind, body, and spirit while building community."
Our fitness tribe doesn't have a name yet, but I am sure we will come up with one soon. For now, here are a couple pictures from our workouts along with my favorite active family pics.
Happy training everyone!
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| Mommies Playtime |
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| Kiddies Playtime |
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| Gigi's first footrace at age 3 |
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| Mommy's triathletes-in-training |
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| Bad Bass with the hubby |
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| Bay to Breakers with the hubby |
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| Gavin's first footrace! |
