Make Gym-timidation Your Friend

by Motivation

Gym-timidation is a term certain fitness centers use to describe the feeling many people have when they enter most gyms-fear. Fear of looking stupid when you don’t know how to use a machine. Fear of getting in the way of that guy who looks like he could punt you into next week. Fear of not fitting in. Fear of failure.

I get it. There was once a time when I only entered the weight room when it was empty. When I did start using the weight room with other people in it, I only tried exercises I hadn’t done before when they were gone. I spent way more time on cardio machines and running outdoors, because I knew I could do that without screwing it up (minus the times I tripped and fell, but that’s a story for another time).

I used to feel all those fears too, so I get it. I get how appealing an advertisement can be for gyms that claim “No Gym-timidation Allowed” and “Judgement Free Zone” because it feels safe. A gym filled with 90% treadmills is within your comfort zone-you know how to work those. A gym full of equipment you’ve never used before is anxiety inducing. There’s so many ways to make a fool of yourself!

Here’s the problem with staying inside your comfort zone- that’s not where the results are.

You belong in the gym, in the weight room, just as much as anyone else. You deserve to be there, to get the results you’ve always wanted, just as much as anyone else. I promise you, if you’re just brave enough to step outside your comfort zone and try something new, you can accomplish amazing things.

If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and into the weight room, we’re here for you. We’ll show you around and answer all your questions. We’ll introduce you to some new gym friends. We even have personal training and group training to help you get those results you’re after even faster. Give us a call to get started!

We can’t wait to help you become the person you’ve always wanted to be.

22 WOD to End Veteran Suicide at The Strength Collective

Don’t Fall For This! The Best Time is NOW

by Motivation

We all know there are times of the year that people are overall more committed to their fitness goals.

January goes without saying with New Year’s resolutions.

March-April is also an interesting time from my perspective as a fitness professional.

It’s the time when those who fell off the resolution wagon begin thinking about getting summer-ready. And it’s still cold in many places, so it starts to feel like you’ve got forever to make it happen.

But as it always does, summer creeps up FAST.

Then this crazy thing starts to happen in people’s minds…

Once May/June hits and the kids are out of school, I’ve seen WAY too many people convince themselves that it’s just not going to happen this year.

They literally give up on their fitness and improving their nutrition because they didn’t achieve their perception of “summer ready” before summer hit.

Maybe it sounds kinda crazy when you read it here, but I’ve seen it happen over and over again.

That’s why, if you’re in this spot right now or this thought has crossed your mind, I want you to take action right away – like NOW – so you don’t fall for this false belief.

You can absolutely do this. You have the time and space. The timing is PERFECT.

Believe those things, take action, and create a “summer body” you’ll be so proud of year-round. J

If you’re ready, email us at info@strengthcollectivegalesburg.com. We’ll get in touch with you ASAP to start the transformation.

Cannot wait!

Kristal Frisque- May Member of the Month at The Strength Collective Galesburg

by About UsMember of the Month
Kristal in her natural habitat 🙂

This month’s Member of the Month is Kristal Frisque! Kristal is an artist and Owner of Art Defined Studios (check out the Facebook page here to learn more and get artsy!). She recently ran the St. Jude Half Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. Read on to learn more about Kristal:

Q: What got you started working out?
A: My health. I knew that I needed to take better care of myself & have always liked strength training, so it was a good place to start. Plus, there’s lots of health problems that run in my family, so I wanted to be as proactive as I could be to fight off genetics.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: 5 days a week; I take the lunch class at SC & run with my running group, Sole Sisters.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Riding my ElliptiGO! It’s super fun and great on your joints.

Kristal’s ElliptiGO! (It’s like a bike/elliptical hybrid!)

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: I’ve never really had a routine with this, but I have used Advocare Spark & protein shakes….beer is great too!

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: My workouts are mostly solitary, in that I go for long runs or bike rides in the country by myself. Being a long distance runner, I not only have to prepare my schedule for the time I dedicate to my workouts, but also the mental game. I know that I’m going to have my aches & pains, but I have to endure through them when I’m out in the middle of nowhere & accept that I have to run back using the muscles that hurt.

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: I love the pain! Seriously. The mental accomplishment keeps me going every time. The fact that I owned that workout is very gratifying.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Just do it! Don’t overthink it or you’ll never start. And your body, your level of fitness is enough. You do not have to fit a visual mold or wear the right gear. You are worth it & deserve to be healthy. We all come in different shapes and sizes, different areas of struggle. There’s no judgement at the gym. Everyone is super supportive and motivating.

After a hard Lean&Strong workout!

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: My core muscles are so much stronger! I still can’t do those blasted pushups, but that’s a long term goal to do them well & in good form.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: I was born in Japan.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: Hands down the support and one on one help. Lord bless her, Jenna is SO patient with me! And both she & Kat will correct my form, so I can improve. The group is also amazingly supportive.

Thank you for being an awesome member, Kristal! We love having you as a part of our community!

Warrior Strong Women's Kickboxing

Gin Gartin- April Member of the Month at The Strength Collective

by Member of the Month

April’s Member of the Month is Gin Gartin- she’s a 30 year old Distribution Coordinator at Dyna-Gro Seed from Galva and she has been absolutely crushing her fitness and weight loss journey since last June.

Q: What got you started working out?
A: Wanting to be more comfortable with myself and become a stronger version of myself.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: I try for at least 4-5 days a week. 2 of those are of course the Warrior Strong kickboxing class which I love!

Left: Gin before starting her health and fitness journey.
Right: Gin at the end of February-so much amazing progress already!

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Um kickboxing of course!

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: I am sure this sounds lame but it’s a protein shake. Right now I’m working through the ice cream sandwich flavor I have. If you haven’t tried it you need to!

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: I am still really heavy so any of the cardio stuff is still a struggle for me but I am working on that!

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: Seeing my results on the scale and my clothing fitting better.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Don’t think about it just go for it. Even if it is something small to start with just go for it! Everyone has to start somewhere. Find something you actually enjoy doing.

Left: Gin before starting Warrior Strong Kickboxing last October.
Right: Gin at the end of February

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: Walk my dog around the block around the block without being out of breath.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: I probably have at least 20 pairs of Nike shoes if not more lol

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: The support. From the ladies in my class to the coaches. Everyone is there for you to cheer you on and help you through it!

Gin, you are awesome and we are so proud of you! Thank you for being one of our amazing members, and keep up the hard work!