Sep 14, 2020 | Highlands Ranch
Fitness in Highlands Ranch During a Worldwide Pandemic: Dropping That Extra COVID “19”
In an ideal world, the forced coronavirus shutdown would have led to people taking the time for introspection and self-improvement. Many people found themselves unable to go to work because of closures. Others found themselves working from home for the first time, offering the ultimate in flexibility.
The reality, of course, is that a lot of us don’t do well with uncertainty—and that’s the only certainty 2020 has brought with it. So instead of improving ourselves, some of us turned to food, alcohol, and Netflix binging for comfort. Then the gyms in Highlands Ranch and everywhere shut down, further impacting our inability to avoid unhealthy crutches. Perhaps we went on walks with our families to help alleviate boredom, but the truth is that there was plenty of couch surfing during the first several months of this worldwide pandemic.
The realization that jeans are tight and fitness has stalled is hitting some people pretty hard. Perhaps the scale has revealed the true COVID-19—as in 19 pounds.
So how to get started with good habits once again?
Hit Up Your Favorite Gym in Highlands Ranch
The good news is that Manic Training in Highlands Ranch is up and running. And given the expanded space—as well as a large parking lot—there are plenty of socially distant options available for everyone.
We asked around the Manic community to see who would ‘fess up to completely eliminating fitness from their coronavirus lockdown—and we had two takers to our offer of a public shaming, er, to be featured in a blog post.
Branson, who typically went to Manic’s evening classes, fully intended keeping up with home workouts when the gyms closed down. He borrowed equipment generously offered by owner Peter Beuth—and for the first couple weeks, kept up with his good intentions. But then life happened, and he admits to missing about two-months’ straight of workouts. But he has been back at it since Manic’s reopening. He says he definitely lost fitness—but was able to rebuild pretty quickly once he started hitting classes regularly.
He says that he really missed the structure of the group classes—and other Manic members agree that even with challenging online workouts posted each day during lockdown, it just wasn’t the same.
Stacia also found herself floundering without the encouragement of her favorite coaches, and she did a couple of home workouts initially—and then stopped altogether. Like Branson, she missed a full two months of workouts. “I am kind of lazy anyway,” she admits, “so it was easy to just stop working out.” Stacia also says she is competitive, and those stronger than her in class always pushed her to go harder and faster. Without that, she found it difficult to stay motivated.
She says it wasn’t too hard for her to get back into the swing of things once in-person classes started up again: “I loved how fit I was in March, before the world came crashing down.”
Hitting the Gym in the Middle of a Pandemic
Although we are well into what appears to be the first wave of the novel coronavirus, some life has returned to a semblance of normalcy. Unfortunately, many local gyms have closed their doors for good, unable to weather the financial storm of a two-month shutdown. Some people are not comfortable returning to a “big box” gym because of alleged over-crowding and under-cleaning. Others are still struggling to get back their good fitness habits, which went to the wayside because of stress-eating and skipping workouts.
Manic’s workouts are designed to allow for well-spaced stations so participants can use their own equipment for the duration of the class. Equipment is not shared, and there is plenty of disinfectant available to keep everything sanitized. Whenever possible, equipment is placed outdoors with a separate entrance and exit so members do not have to pass by one another. Industrial fans and open doors mean well-circulated air. To ensure small class sizes, there are plenty of times available on the schedule.
Pete and the team are following all the guidelines in place to keep people safe and healthy—and to make sure the Manic community can keep “training in to adventure out.”
Get Rid of Those COVID Pounds
Get started with Manic by trying a week for FREE. Work out with like-minded individuals in a virus-safe environment. Get your fitness back—and get to know one of the greatest fitness communities around. And don’t forget your mask!
May 11, 2020 | Highlands Ranch
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Creative
Now that second month of self-quarantine is well underway, we gym rats our missing our gym buds more than ever. Not to be deterred by mere social distancing as we continue to experience this unprecedented time, plenty of gyms have taken to online programming to keep members active without access to their usual workout spot. But Manic Training, your favorite gym in Highlands Ranch, has taken that a step—well more like a half-dozen steps—further.
How to Hang Out With Your Gym Bros During a Pandemic
It started off with online workouts. But for the coaches at Manic Training in Highlands Ranch, that wasn’t enough. They craved interaction with their members just as much as members were missing the group contact that comes with group fitness. According to Manic owner and coach Pete Beuth: “At a time when other local gyms simply closed and laid off their coaches with no support or help, we aim to be the community leaders, to continue our business, to be able to pay our coaches, and to have a solid physical business to come back to when this blows over.”
And they’ve continued to do just that.
More Manic Than We’ve Ever Had Before
It’s true. Members in the good ole days—before social distancing was in place—typically hit up Manic Training for a workout three times a week. A mere three hours. Oh, how things have changed.
It’s tough to keep a sense of community when we can’t be physically together. But Pete and the gang—coaches Scott, Mike, Julie, Karrie, and Allen—have figured out how to do just that. Here’s Manic’s current weekly lineup:
- Weekday mornings: You can join one or more of the coaches for a Facebook live coffee chat to get the day going.
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9am: The workout of the day goes live, courtesy of one of the coaches.
- Tuesday and Thursday at 9am: Give your legs, shoulders, and any other aching body part a break with a live core-focused workout.
- Wednesday night at 9pm: Put the kiddos to bed, then join Coach Scott and another coach as they interview a special guest. They will pose five questions to the guest—and not answering is not an option. Viewers are also invited to ask questions.
- Tuesday and Thursday, midday: Coach, former elementary school teacher, and mom of three boys, Karrie, holds “Karrie’s Kids Korner,” in which she and assorted children cook something fun and kid-friendly.
- Tuesday and Thursday, evening: Coach Allen holds a stretch sesh so you can get rid of all those kinks.
- Thursday, 7:30pm: Coach Pete hosts “Thirsty Thursday,” because yes—learning how to make some fantastic cocktails (Hello, margaritas! Hello, mudslides!) is another way of coping with quarantine. (The liquor stores are still open as an essential business!)
- Friday night: Anyone can hop online and socialize with their fellow Manic members. Adult beverages are optional.
There’s more fun for the weekend:
- Saturday morning: Since we are all housebound, we might as well tackle some of those honey-do lists. In each episode of “Handy Man-ic,” Coach Mike goes over a DIY project to help you accomplish something productive while you are at home.
- Saturday, 5:30pm: Resident vegetarian Coach Julie is cooking up some yum each week that is plant- or meat-based, depending on your preference.
- Sunday: With warmer weather upon us, Coach Pete and his green-thumb-blessed better half AnnaKate are taking us out into the garden. This is also timely as more and more people are interested in growing their own food after we’ve witnessed some scarcity in our own grocery stores.
But Wait—Isn’t Manic a Gym Community?
Here’s what Coach Pete has to say: “Sure. We are. But in this time of crisis, where daily life no longer exists as we once knew it, we are forced to create and thrive in a new normal. We know that Manic has been one of the main pillars of your weekly routine. Sure, we’re good at weight things and squat things and breathing things, but we’re also good at taking care of each other. We’re going to do everything in our power to make your weeks as “normal” as possible and hopefully create memories that will allow you to look back on these weeks or months with fondness. Not for the circumstances, but for the experiences we all had when pushed outside of our comfort zone, collectively.”
After all, we trained for this.
Looking for a Gym in Highlands Ranch?
The closures and the distancing will be behind us at some point. Manic Training in Highlands Ranch is wrapping up a huge expansion, and there will be more room and more options than ever before. Sadly, some local gyms won’t survive the pandemic. But Manic continues to thrive, and we hope to see you in our upgraded facility as soon as we reopen. (Sign up for a free week here!) Meanwhile, you can get to know us by liking our Facebook page.
Apr 1, 2020 | Highlands Ranch
Gym in Highlands Ranch Launches Unique Operation in the Face of a Pandemic: We Trained for This
Anyone who has ever been to Manic Training in Highlands Ranch knows how diligent owner Pete Beuth and the rest of the coaches are about maintaining a clean gym. When the coronavirus started to make its way across the United States, Pete immediately went into hyper-clean mode, reformatting workouts to institute new protocols for disinfecting gym equipment.
Unfortunately, on March 16, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis mandated that all gyms be closed to enforce “social distancing.”
Undaunted, the Manic Training team pivoted immediately from an in-person gym to an online community that not only took members’ physical needs into consideration but their social and emotional needs as well.
From In-Person to Online Gym Community in an Instant
Says Beuth: “While Manic Training’s physical location is closed, our business sure isn’t!” And he’s right. These are just some of the changes he and his team of coaches have instituted since the mandatory gym shutdown:
- Immediately after getting the mandatory closure notice, online workouts requiring minimal equipment were posted on Facebook and sent to members via email.
- “Manic’s Morning Joe” was launched on Facebook live each morning at 8am. These chats include one or more coaches who broadcast the day’s stories, talk about positive community news, look ahead to the morning workout, and provide any other updates as needed.
- Live workouts are broadcast each morning at 9am.
- Evening happy hours are held a couple times a week, either on Facebook Live or via Zoom, so members can connect. Coach Julie has also done some cooking broadcasts, and long-time Manic member Chris performed a concert.
- The coaches give members weekend challenges to keep things fun, interesting, and little bit competitive.
- Equipment rentals are available so members can borrow (free of charge) gym equipment.
- Bike and rower rental—and delivery—is being offered for members for two days at a time. This is also free and includes pickup and delivery. Special workouts are being posted so recipients can get the best out of their rental window.
In Some Ways, It’s Still Business as Usual
The pandemic hit our Highlands Ranch gym community soon after construction began on a gym expansion, and work on that continues. At some point, self-isolation will be a thing of the past, and members will be able to work out in an expanded location.
As Pete points out, “Many of our members spent three to four hours a week at the gym, but now many are spending even more time with us.” He and the coaches will continue to make every effort to keep things rolling under this new “normal,” recognizing perhaps that now more than ever members need structure, guidance, and social engagement.
Manic’s online workouts are available to anyone—even nonmembers—and they can be accessed from the Manic Training Highlands Ranch Facebook page.
One of Manic’s taglines is that these unique group workouts get its members “ready for life.” This couldn’t be truer as the gym continues to adapt in this unprecedented time. A new tagline has emerged with all this change: “We trained for this.” Too true.
Mar 10, 2020 | Highlands Ranch
You Can’t Out-Exercise a Bad Diet
With the holiday season behind us and a new year looming ahead, many of us are taking a cold, hard look at our exercise and eating habits. Perhaps we’ve resolved to hit our favorite Highlands Ranch gym more regularly. Or we’re committed to the latest diet fads, such as Whole30, which is popular for folks to try—especially come January 1.
The fact is that “abs are made in the kitchen,” and the nutrition component of your health regimen is crucial. If you don’t get your nutrition on point, chances are your workouts will not result in sculpting a ripped or sleek physique.
Your Workouts Are Burning Fewer Calories Than You Think
It takes a lot of burpees to undo the calories you’ll get in a slice of pizza—about a half-hour’s worth, in fact. That’s a lot of work to burn off one piece of pie.
If you are like a lot of people, you wear a fitness tracker that estimates the amount of calories you burn in an average workout—and it’s best to use this as a guideline for workout intensity rather than an actual indicator of how many calories you burn off. Most of these are notoriously inaccurate.
It’s one thing to “carbo-load” before an ultra-race of 100 miles—but it doesn’t make much sense for someone who is going to take a 3-mile run through the neighborhood.
You Can Still Overeat if You Are “Eating Clean”
A lot of people believe that as long as they eliminate processed foods or sugar or carbs, they can eat as much other stuff as they want. But even clean eating can result in weight gain—even if you are diligent about your workouts. And this brings us to the next point.
You Need to Be in a Calorie Deficit to Lose Weight
It’s basic science—and it boils down to calories in versus calories out.
Accuracy is crucial. Unless you weigh your food portions on a food scale, you are probably underestimating your calorie intake. For example, estimate a tablespoon of peanut butter, which would be one serving. Then weigh it on a scale. If you are like most people, your version of a tablespoon of peanut butter is probably double if not triple an actual serving.
Weighing your food and tracking what you eat each day is very eye-opening.
Join Us at Your Gym in Highlands Ranch for a Free Week
The nutrition portion is up to you, but we’ve got your workouts down at Manic Training. Join us for a free week trial. Manic Training sessions are intense and challenging to everyone—regardless of your fitness level (or lack thereof). Sign up today!
Feb 12, 2020 | Highlands Ranch
Manic Training Set to Expand Highlands Ranch Gym
Plenty of gyms in Highlands Ranch and the Denver area have come and gone in the past five years, but Manic Training continues to defy the odds as well as the competition. Manic Training is a core focused, endurance based program made up of a purposeful variety of exercises, that when executed in a safe, meaningful, and fun way, will make people of all athletic ability levels ready for anything that life can dish out.
In its current location on County Line Road and University Boulevard since August 12, 2015, Manic Training owner and trainer Pete Beuth is just about ready to start tearing down walls. The current facility, around 3,100 square feet, will be expanding into the empty space next door for a whopping 7,400 square feet of gym space.
With many of Manic’s popular classes over capacity several days a week, Beuth knew he had two choices: “I could look for a spot to open a second facility in the area, or I could expand the current location.” Likely Beuth knew the risk of opening a second facility given that many small businesses struggle to survive when taking that step, so he decided on the latter.
Construction is set to begin sometime in February 2020, and Beuth hopes to unveil the expanded gym in Highlands Ranch this summer. Classes will continue to operate as normal in the current facility while the new space is being constructed.
The expanded space will not only mean that Manic Training’s class size can increase to accommodate more people at a time, but there will be other benefits for members. The new space will add:
- Two locker rooms, each equipped with two showers and rest rooms
- A hot yoga studio with infra-red heat panels
- New double-door entrance
Beuth also plans to add more classes, including options for entry-level athletes as well as those who are at the elite level.
Current Manic Training members are excited about the news, especially those who attend the 4am, 5am, and 6am classes, which are often waitlisted because of their popularity. Berta Cruz, who has been going to Manic Training Highlands Ranch since it opened its doors, says she is excited to have more class options—and she is particularly looking forward to hot yoga.
If you haven’t tried Manic Training, Beuth invites you to try a week of classes for free. Find out how Manic Training gets its members “ready for life” with unique group fitness workouts in Highlands Ranch, Fort Collins, and Steamboat Springs you won’t find anywhere else.
Jan 31, 2020 | Highlands Ranch
Manic Training—It’s Not Your Average Highlands Ranch Gym
New members of Manic Training quickly discover that this is one Highlands Ranch gym that stands out among others. There are plenty of reasons for this, and we’ve highlighted some of them below. For more details, check out the Manic Training Podcast: 5AM Traffic, Leaning, and Other Notes on Manic Culture.
Community-Building
Manic’s mantra has always been “train in to adventure out,” and if you are so inclined, there are plenty of outdoor activities in which to participate with your fellow Manic members. Check out the Facebook Manic Adventure group so you can keep abreast of what adventures are happening each week.
If you prefer indoor fun, Ladies Nights and Dudes and Brews are great social events that usually start with a workout and end with some adult beverages.
Manic Culture—Being On Time, Cleaning, and Leaning
Manic workouts always start on time—and they end on time. The coaches want you to get the benefit of a full 60-minute workout. And although they get it when life happens—traffic, kids, work, or whatever—and you stroll in a few minutes late, your coaches want to point out how this changes the dynamic of a class and can actually make it unsafe.
Manic’s 10-minute warmup is designed to loosen people up to prepare them for the intense work ahead. When people are late and miss four or five minutes of that warmup, this can be to their detriment. Manic runs for a full hour so members can get the most out of their money.
Although there is plenty of chuckling over Manic’s reputation as “the cleanest gym in Denver,” there is a lot of truth to this. The coaches believe strongly that every class should get the same experience with a clean, organized gym. And everyone’s help is needed to make this a possibility. Wipe sweat off equipment with provided towels during your workout—and stay afterward to help put equipment back in its place.
If you’ve ever been unlucky enough to be called out for “leaning” on a piece of equipment—and really, who hasn’t?!—the coaches are quick to point out that this is part of the Manic experience. It might be a natural inclination to lean when bodies are tired, but we all know your body can support your weight. And toughening up is something the coaches will always push. It’s part of the Manic workout.
Join Us at Your Gym in Highlands Ranch for a Free Week
Do you want to find out more about the unique culture that is Manic Training? You can get a week for free. Find out how Manic Training gets its members “ready for life” with unique group fitness workouts in Highlands Ranch, Fort Collins, and Steamboat Springs you won’t find anywhere else.
