January Member(s) of The Month! Dakota and Katie B!

Congratulations to this month's member(s) of the month, Dakota and Katie B! Dakota started up with us back in May and Katie decided to take the plunge this past October on their anniversary. These two have been able to make the time to get in to the fitness center and dedicate the hour to themselves, and absolutely crush it! They both have taken the next step with their nutrition and have been going the extra mile to meal prep throughout the week. Outside of the fitness center they serve as incredible role models to their 3 awesome children. Keep up the great work both of you, we admire your work ethic and your commitment to the fitness center!

Throughout your lifetime, how long have you been working out for and what do you enjoy most about fitness?

Katie:

I was involved in competitive sports from the time I was young. I competed in swimming, downhill skiing, and soccer in high school and rowed crew in college. I also spent most of my summers windsurfing, kayaking and bicycling. I let my fitness slip after college and even more so during my pregnancies. I was definitely starting back at square one when I joined K. Shan Performance.

Dakota:

I worked out 5-6 days per week in high school when I played football and did power lifting. I took a 7 year "break" and I have been back at it for the last year trying to be a healthier father and husband. I most enjoy the competition with myself and some of the other gym members. The feeling after a hard workout when you know you left everything you had in the fitness center is awesome.My favorite part of fitness is seeing my progress over time.

Since training at K.Shan Performance, what have you learned the most about fitness as well as about yourself?

Katie:

The biggest lesson I have learned is that fitness can be fun. Through my involvement in sports, I had always viewed fitness as something I had to do if I wanted to be competitive not really something that I wanted to do. While I was pregnant with our third child, Dakota was telling me how fun it was to go to the K. Shan Performance. I kept thinking that he probably liked it because he had done power lifting in high school but that it definitely wasn’t for me. On our wedding anniversary, I decided that our date was to go workout together at K. Shan so I could see what all the fuss was about. I had an absolute blast and joined right away.

I also learned how to be more internally competitive. I had always focused on winning and being faster, stronger or more agile than the other athletes. At K. Shan Performance, I have learned how to be competitive with myself and push to do better than I did the last time.

Dakota:

I would say I learned the importance of stretching before working out and proper exercise technique in respect to the difficulty of that exercise. As far as myself, I would say I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to, I never would have thought I could climb the rope at the fitness center!

What do you like most about the workouts? And what is your favorite exercise?

Katie:

I like that the workout is all planned for me. I am a stay-at-home mom of three so most of the day I am the one with the plan. I love that I come in to a workout that is always fresh and challenging.

My two favorite exercises are slam balls and kettle bell carries.

Dakota:

I most enjoy the energy in the fitness center! My favorite regular exercise is definitely BEAR CRAWLS! My favorite special exercise is sled pulls hands down because it most reminds me of my powerlifting days with the atmosphere!

What would you recommend to someone looking to start training?

Katie:

No matter what your level is when you first come into the fitness center, the K. Shan team of trainers will help you. They helped me so much by correcting my form and giving me modifications to exercises so I could build my fitness without risking injury. In addition to the trainers, the members of K. Shan Performance are truly positive and supportive of each other’s success. There is really no better place to start.

Dakota:

Just get in and do it! Put aside your hesitation and I promise you once you show up you will be hooked!