I forget where I first saw the flier for a “one-hour live workout” with Beachbody Super Trainer Joel Freeman.<\/p>\n
In any case, the miniature man (Freeman) smiling up at me on the sheet of paper caught my attention. I was hungry for inspiration to get in shape and thought the event would be a fun one to cover.<\/p>\n
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to form a Klondike relay team. The relay isn’t until September, but I wanted to start moving and tracking down old college buddies now and pitching the idea to them.<\/p>\n
I spoke to the upbeat Freeman over the phone a few days before the workout. Then, on Sunday morning, I made the short drive from my house to the Dimond Park Field House.<\/p>\n
I carefully selected my attire for the event in hopes of blending in: a teal tank top underneath a grey Nike long sleeve on top and black Under Armour shorts on the bottom.<\/p>\n
The workout was very engaging and alternated between longer intervals of striking and kicking combinations and shorter intervals of high-intensity core and cardio training. I learned how to bounce in place like a boxer and I couldn’t help but smile as I raised my fists and threw jabs, blocks and crosses.<\/p>\n
Occasionally, Freeman would stroll through the crowd with his headset microphone. It reminded me of a school teacher making the rounds in their classroom to keep students on task during a silent study session. Except there was nothing silent about this setting — bass-heavy electronic music radiated throughout the field house from four large speakers.<\/p>\n
The workout lasted about 45 minutes. I felt bad I didn’t sweat as much as the others. I was running on seven hours of sleep and didn’t have much energy to give. I also struggled to step into certain kicks properly and was easily discouraged.<\/p>\n
Freeman’s ongoing commentary and demonstrations were the highlights of my workout. The 35-year-old had a magnetic quality to him. He was funny, zany, positive and ripped.<\/p>\n
He seemed genuinely interested in everyone who showed up — roughly 70 people. He hosted an informal question and answer session before the workout and dispelled the notion that he was somehow special because he was considered a “super trainer.”<\/p>\n
“It is the stupidest title I think — ever,” Freeman said while introducing himself. “Like, super? Really?”<\/p>\n
Freeman shared about his walk across the Mendenhall Lake (“You’re trying not to think about it a little bit.”), his bent for salty foods (“I would much rather each nachos every day”) and then opened the floor (or turf) up for questions.<\/p>\n
The most insightful response he gave was prompted by a question by a local group fitness instructor. She asked him what to say to people who are reluctant to join a group fitness class because they want to lose some weight first.<\/p>\n
“Get to know them a little bit,” Freeman said. “Why do they want to even come in (to the gym) in the first place? It’s not just to lose weight. Group exercise is a sense of belonging. That’s why it’s called group. It brings people together. It creates accountability.”<\/p>\n
It’s reminded me why I even wanted to form a relay team in the first place: for a sense of belonging. Relationships are important in all facets of life — even when trying to shed a few pounds.<\/p>\n
I think I’ll start looking for teammates in town now. Lord knows I need the accountability.<\/p>\n
• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.<\/b><\/p>\n
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