Physical activity is something that has always been a big part of my life. Growing up, my parents always emphasized the importance of exercise and what it can do for not only our physical health, but especially our mental health. Anxiety has been something I have struggled with for as long as I can remember. I have always been more on the shy and introverted side of the social spectrum, something that I used to get teased for from a young age. It can be hard for me to put myself out there and into social settings, especially with people I don’t know very well. I always preferred working out in the makeshift home gym in my parents basement, or alone at the gym versus trying a group fitness class.
That was until I had the opportunity to be involved in the community at EverProven. If I am being honest, the first time I stepped foot into that gym for a class I was terrified. I wanted to turn around immediately and drive home. My nerves were racing, and I remember telling my roommate before I left how I didn’t know if I should even go. The whole car ride to the gym I tried to calm myself down. Told myself that the least I could do was give it a try, even if it was just once.
That Thursday night class, as anxiety inducing as it may have seemed at the time, has truly changed my perspective on the importance of community when it comes to exercise. The past decade of my life, I never saw the need for working out with other people. I saw the gym as an hour of my day where I would walk on the treadmill or sit on a few machines and call it a day. Working out at the time felt like a chore, a box I needed to check on my to-do list. Not only taking a CrossFit class at EverProven, but getting to meet the coaches and the athletes at the gym changed that for me.
While I have only been part of this community for about a month, I have met some of the most inspiring, strong, resilient, and motivated people I have met in my entire life. The coaches truly want you to succeed. They push you out of your comfort zone in class and motivate you to try things you never thought you would be able to. I have tried exercises I never thought would be possible for me to do with the help and motivation of the coaches around me. They offer support not only in the gym, but outside of it as well. They truly want to get to know you on a personal level, and are a group of amazing people that you can lean on not only during that hour-long workout, but any time you are looking for support.
Not only do you get to build a relationship with a certified coach, but the community of athletes is like nothing I have ever experienced. My first class I was welcomed with excitement and open arms. I felt so comfortable in a group of people I had just met. They helped me with my form, showed me how to perform exercises I had never done before, and cheered me on during the entire class. Over the past month I watched this amazing group of people of all ages, backgrounds, and physical ability, inspire each other to be the best version of themselves.
While I was panicking the entire time leading up to the class, I have never felt more inspired and uplifted in my entire fitness journey. These classes at EverProven are so much more than a workout. They are a tight knit community of people who genuinely care about one another. They are a group of people who come together everyday with the goal of bettering themselves and bettering each other. Whether it’s through a smile when you enter the gym, words of encouragement, advice on form, or cheering from the sidelines as you complete an intense workout, I do not think you will find such an inspiring environment as this one. The people at EverProven truly want the best for you. They have pushed me to be a better version of myself, not only in the gym, but in my personal life as well.
If the thought ever crosses your mind to try a CrossFit class, I highly encourage you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and sign up for one. You will be surprised by how impactful a community like this will be on your life, and how your relationship with fitness will be changed for the better. I have watched this group of individuals push each other in moments of weakness, welcome newcomers who have never worked out before, celebrate each other’s milestones, and inspire each other to be the best versions of themselves they can be. EverProven is so much more than a gym. It is so much more than just a workout. It has become a place where I feel comfortable. A place that continues to help me build my confidence. A place that pushes me beyond my limits, and forces me to try new things. It is a group of people that I feel thankful I get to surround myself with. A place where my relationship with fitness and my relationship with myself has had the opportunity to flourish.
If you are looking to find a community that uplifts and supports you not only in your fitness, but in every aspect of your life, connect with one of our coaches and schedule your first class today!