What’s up, fellow Obsessives?

Happy Marathon Month! While I was a little worried August’s main event would go the way of May’s All Out Mayhem, that fortunately isn’t the case. I’m signed up for the Ultra and ready to log some serious mileage. Who’s with me?

— Kevin

OTF Obsessed is brought to you by …

Every day, 4.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news fix. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture — all in a brief 5-minute email. No spin. No slant. Just clarity.

Join for free today!

Last week I linked an interesting report that found accountability is more effective than motivation in getting us through the doors at OTF

The study was done by OTF parent Purpose Brands and found that sticking with a workout plan “doesn’t happen because of sheer motivation, but because someone was expecting you to show up.”

Twenty-five percent of OTF participants said that accountability was the biggest source of their success, whether it was derived from a coach or a friend or acquaintance in class.

“The most powerful form of accountability is knowing someone expects you to show up,” Orangetheory Fitness vice president of fitness Scott Brown said in the findings. “Whether it’s a coach tracking your progress, classmates on the tread next to you or a community working toward similar goals, those connections make consistency possible.”

I think anyone who’s become a regular at Orangetheory can admit to reporting to a class for this reason (or for not wanting to be charged the no-show fee, which is probably another newsletter altogether).

Personally, I’ve been going to my OTF studio so long that I know I’ll be missed by both coaches and other Obsessives if I stop going. In fact, I just missed an entire week because of a family vacation and I know the woman on the treadmill next to me will greet me with a friendly “hey, where were you?”

That’s really what helps separate the boutique setting/culture of OTF from the big box gyms where you can often become just an account number, at best.

While we’ve seen a lot of changes in the studio from checking in ourselves on iPads to open gym hours, I hope the execs at Orangetheory never forget the lessons of this survey and what the human interaction really means to the success of their business.

In short, it’s the other people at the studio that keep us coming back.

Do you have an example of how accountability has helped you become an OTF Obsessive? Let me know at [email protected]!

Men's skin ages fast once collagen drops. Most guys notice too late — when the eye bags, dark spots, and wrinkles have already set in. Particle Face Cream is a 6-in-1 fix. Two minutes a day. Trusted by over a million men. 30-day guarantee. 20% off, code BH20.

Try It Risk-Free

Did you get this email forwarded to you? Join our list here!

Note: OTF Obsessed is an independent fan-created newsletter and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially associated with Orangetheory Fitness.