Joining up can be scary. Matt worried he wouldn't be able to keep up

Joining a workout program, especially group training, can be scary.

Matt had been following my stuff on social media for a long while. He knew that he needed to do something about his weight and health and liked my posts' vibe. However, he was hesitant because he knew he couldn't do most of the exercises he saw me doing in the videos.

He worried that he wouldn't be able to keep up. And he certainly didn't want to be embarrassed. This is especially true in a group setting, like at our Westborough location.

So, he put off contacting me.

I wasn't aware of any of this when we finally did catch up live in early January. It's completely understandable but was kind of a revelation for me.

I felt a little sheepish hearing that some of the videos I post, meant to teach and inspire folks, might be keeping them away because they worried they wouldn't be able to do Deadlifts or other challenging exercises.

That bummed me out too, because Matt is precisely the profile of prospective members we know we can help - a busy 50-something dad with too much on his plate.

Listen, it's one of our core values to meet people where they are. We do not judge. We have zero expectations other than you need to fully commit, show up, and give us your best effort.

In fact, whether it's online or in person, our secret sauce is our ability to safely adapt every workout program and exercise to meet the needs and limitations of all our members.

Practically every new member who comes to us has a list of challenges - diabetes, overweight, bad knees, wonky shoulders, blown discs, hip replacements, depression, PTSD, sugar addiction, zero core strength, lack of balance, you name it!

The only folks we turn away are the excuse-makers who we sense are going to snivel and quibble about BUSYNESS as their justification for not making this a priority.

If you're like Matt and have been hesitating to reach out, please know we WANT YOU! Because we KNOW you can be stronger than your excuses, and our job is to help you live up to that.

We are stronger than our excuses.