The Best Of Halifax

This time of year, I like to take inventory of the decisions I’ve made in 2021 and see what steps I’ve taken to improve my life, and how I can change for the better. Where did I spend my time? Where did I enjoy going? What is having an impressionable impact on my life? When I look back, there are a few things that I am most proud of. I cut down on sedentary leisure activities, I spent more time with my kids volunteering at their school, and I went to Blended Athletics.

It is now over 5 years since I began at Blended. I was starting from scratch. Fifty pounds heavier and reasonably acquainted with local gyms, but not having the commitment or motivation to create any kind of meaningful change. With Blended Athletics, I learned that going to the gym doesn’t have to be routine. I was completely bored of going to the gym only to jump on a cardio machine for an hour. I was getting more well-read than well. At Blended, I benefit from experienced coaches who tailor programming to match my capabilities; not once or quarterly, but every single day. With renewed commitment, I saw my athleticism improve, my workouts become more challenging, and my abilities grow.

I appreciate that I am always greeted by one of the staff (and over time, by quite a few of the members!). All steps are taken to limit the potential spread of germs in the facility. There is a handwash station upon entry that precedes a quick trip to the changing room area. Before class begins, we each take a spray bottle of sanitizing liquid for cleaning equipment before and after class. We are all socially distant with our own equipment and everyone is respectful and masked when they are not in their designated workout area. As a member with two young kids who have not yet been fully vaccinated, I feel safe coming into workout without risking the health of my
family.

The diversity of classes is my favourite aspect of Blended. A large whiteboard will have the daily workout of the day (or WOD) on it as well as the equipment you will need. Every day brings the potential to try something new. Perhaps today it will be kettlebells and skipping ropes, tomorrow might be a rowing machine and medicine ball. On sunny and warm days, we’ve even gone for a run down the street. Learning what my body is capable of is one of the coolest feelings in the world (turns out I’m actually pretty good at burpees!). This year I had a workplace injury that resulted in a high ankle sprain. Upon my return, coaches already had a plan to help me strengthen the area, and scale back my other movements until I was fully recovered. Whereas a setback would have previously stopped me altogether, here it is just a speedbump.

When I look forward to the rest of 2022, I know that I want to keep trying to be the best version of me, and that the Blended community will always be a big part of it.