What’s up, fellow Obsessives?
This is the seventh issue of OTF Obsessed and I just want to take a moment to say how much I’m enjoying putting it together each week and getting so much great feedback from every single person who has taken the time to drop a message.
I hope all of you have a great week ahead, both in and out of the OTF studio.
One note about today’s issue: I know a lot of studios have already done their Dri-Tris ahead of next weekend’s “official” date. If that’s the case, today’s tips come a little late and for that, I apologize.
But hey, the good thing about OTF is that there’s always a next time …
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🍊 How To Beat The Dri-Tri 💪
Confession time: I’ve never been a big Dri-Tri guy.
In fact, I’ve only participated in two over my nearly seven years at OTF.
There are a few reasons for this, none of which I want to go over here because I don’t want to put any excuses into anyone else’s brain.
But I would like that to change. While I’m not participating in this go-round, next spring seems like a good target date.
Especially since I received a bunch of great tips from you over the past two weeks.
So let’s jump into them 👇
Lisa’s Tips
“My biggest tip is don’t wear your HR monitor! You will be in the red for most of the event, but I (almost) guarantee you won’t die. Don’t let the color/number on the screen freak you out. Ditch you monitor for the day!”
“The floor is what kicks most people's ass (I personally love it) Stay low and keep your legs wide on the burpees ... I break up the push ups and plank jacks (5 P/Ups - 10 Plank jacks...repeat) ... The step ups take forever, use your arms for momentum.”
“Realize this is not much harder than a regular class, the energy will definitely carry you through!”
Donald’s Tips
“Your rower speed for the Dri-Tri should be about 30-60 seconds more than the 2,000 benchmark row so that you will be full speed ahead when you hit the final tread block.”
“The most aggressive I would say is 20 seconds more.”
Jackie’s Tips
“Don’t go out too fast on the rower! One of our coaches says that you can’t secure a fast time on the rower, but you can definitely lose it. Don’t blow up your legs on the first leg of the Dri-Tri.”
“If your studio allows you to do it, set up your floor station before you begin. No reason to waste 30 seconds getting everything the way you like it.”
“Break up the floor into manageable chunks. I like to count to 10 on each rep instead of 20 or 40. Just a mental thing but it makes a big difference for me.”
“Find a rhythm on the treadmill. I think it’s important to start strong but steady. You can always keep adding speed as you go along.”
Leah’s Tips
“Go lighter than you think you should. Don’t be a hero! 300 reps is way more than we are used to doing in a regular class, so take the exercise you are lifting the lowest at, of the ones you do at Strength Dri-Tri and subtract 5-10 lbs from that weight, and use that for the event.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s you — against you! The first two times I did it, I was the last to finish. And it didn’t matter. Everyone stayed until I was done and cheered me on until I was done. Two coaches got on the treadmill next to me and finished with me to keep me motivated.”
“Believe in yourself and have fun! I always end up second guessing myself in the middle of the Dri-Tri, even though I have done it before. It is not easy, but it is doable. The first time I signed up, I had only been going to OTF for 8 months and regretting signing up immediately after. I said to my head coach “What was I thinking? Am I really ready for this? Can I actually do this?” and he said “You come to OTF regularly. YOU CAN DO THIS.” And that is all I needed to hear. It is hard, but he is right, any of us are capable and can do it.”
🦺 Weighted Vest Tips Wanted! 𐄷
One of your fellow readers wrote to me last week wanting to know about weighted vests and using them at OTF. I honestly have no idea, but if anyone has any advice or insight or brand recommendations, please pass them along!
🍊 Your responses: The OTF Multi-Vitamin 💊
Last week I wrote about the idea of OTF being a multivitamin and got this great response from Melissa …
“I use a daily dose of OTF as my multivitamin. I use it to spark my energy for the day yet it also helps combat the stress of my life. I started OTF in 2017 and found it was the right balance of cardio and weights for me. I started attending daily fairly early on and I’m working towards 3000 classes (my current count is 2662 - COVID shut down was in my years of membership).
“OTF gave me my strength back, both outer and inner, and helped me regain self-confidence. Over the years I’ve been a member, I found the strength to reconnect with friends I had lost touch with, I’ve made new friends through OTF, and I was able to get out of my toxic marriage. I’m now happier and enjoying life!
“My children see this too. I like that I can go to any studio, which allows me the ability to find a workout most times I’m traveling. I also like the accountability. So, OTF is my multivitamin for overall mental and physical health.”
📆 The Week Ahead
🏃♀️ 12-Minute Tread Tomorrow! (Monday) As the informercial dude with the rotisserie chicken oven once said, set it and forget it. Good luck!
🥇 Milestones and PRs!
• Congrats to Snehal who just passed class 1,000!
This milestone took a few months longer than expected due to a foot injury. Setbacks happen, but I learned that it’s not about the finish line, but the grit you show and how you stick with yourself through the good and the bad. Believing in myself was the hardest part, and now I’m ready for the next 1000. Here’s to what’s next! #grit #believeinyourself
• Same goes for Jennifer, who hit 1,000 despite her start date at OTF being the first day of Hell Week! 😆
Did you pass a milestone or set a PR? Let me know by replying to this email!
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Note: OTF Obsessed is an independent fan-created newsletter and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially associated with Orangetheory Fitness.
