What’s up, fellow Obsessives?
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is enjoying running back some of their favorite workouts during the 12 Days of Christmas.
Special shoutout to the 100 or so new members who found their way to OTF Obsessed after the OTF x Hyrox post, which has been the most popular newsletter yet. I’m glad you’re here!
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One of the first things my time at Orangetheory Fitness taught me was the importance of starting early.
My first OTF class came over Thanksgiving Weekend 2018 and I was quickly hooked. I signed up for an unlimited membership, went as much as I could in December and then never skipped a beat as the calendar flipped to 2019.
By the time that year was over, I’d attended 148 classes, a record for me that stood until this year. That momentum probably would’ve continued were it not for the pandemic.
Nevertheless, I’d been launched on the longest I’ve ever stayed with any fitness routine, a streak that’s going on eight years now.
Looking back, I’m convinced part of the reason I’m here today is because I didn’t wait until January 1 to “start.”
I started in the middle of a busy time when nothing was perfect and there were plenty of built-in, holiday-related excuses not to show up. And that made a big difference.
Here’s why December is secretly the best month to start any new routine, whether you’re just starting out at OTF or pushing for a bigger long-term goal.
You get the hard part out of the way before anyone else even shows up.
We all know that OTF January classes can be packed. And that’s fine, because we’re a community that will always welcome a new face who’s serious about improving. But if you start on your goal now, you’re not battling waitlists that don’t shrink or the pressure of a resolution. You’re just starting to build your habit on your terms — a habit that will be automatic by the time the calendar flips.
You’re not trying to be perfect
January can have that “all or nothing” vibe for the resolution crew. I know because I’ve been there before. Setting a New Year’s resolution can feel like setting your tread at all-out on an endurance run. But real habit-building happens when the stakes are lower. Stacking a couple of solid December weeks before anyone even says “New Year’s resolution” is HUGE.
If you can do it in December, you can do it at any time of year.
I already mentioned the built-in holiday excuses and we all know they’re real. Holiday parties. Gift Shopping. Bad Weather. End of Year Demands From The Boss. But none of them are insurmountable and the anchor of a workout routine will lend some much needed order to the Christmas rush. If you can stick to even a loose version of a routine in December, you stand a great chance of doing it year-round.
The start of January will be that much easier
If you start on December 10, you’ll roll into January already recognizing yourself as someone in pursuit of a goal … not someone hoping to start pursuing that goal. Plus you’ll already have pre-booked your favorite class times. (Take this as your sign to do that when you’re done reading this newsletter.)
Daily momentum > New Year’s Resolutions.
Take it from someone who found the best workout routine of his life the morning after Thanksgiving … not the morning after New Year’s.
💪 December Reset Challenge
1. Ten classes before New Year’s
2. Attend a class on both Dec. 24 and Dec. 26
3. Figure out your typical weekly schedule for 2026 and start it now
HOLIDAY SEASON DEAL: Three Audible books for 99 cents apiece!
🚣 Goodbye 2,000-meter benchmark?
If the rumors are true, the 2,000-meter benchmark will not be around for 2026.
That’s not too surprising, given that studios can often be a ghost town when that benchmark is on the schedule. In fact, I’d venture to say only Everest comes close to being orange kryptonite for the Orangetheory.
It’s also not surprising, given the rumors that benchmarks are being de-emphasized in the future. (Only one apiece appeared on the November and December schedules.)
But count me as someone’s mildly annoyed at the 2,000-meter benchmark paying the price. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of that endurance test and have never quite understood those who are able to row making a concerted effort to dodge it.
📆 The Week Ahead
🎄 The Final Five Days of the 12 Days of Christmas
Monday - Best Signature Workout
Tuesday - Highest Rated ESP Day
Wednesday - Most Buzz on Social
Thursday - Workout Design Team’s #1
Friday - Highest-Rated Class
⌚️ Your Feedback Wanted: New Workout Trackers?
Every studio has been advertising the new trackers a lot and I know we have a lot of readers curious to know if they’re worth buying. If you’ve already bought out, hit reply on this email and give us your reviews! (I’m still trying to work up the courage to say goodbye to my trusty, old workout tracker that I’ve had since Day One.)
🎉 Milestones and Personal Bests
A huge shoutout goes to Beth M., who was pushing for class 500 by her 74th birthday when she hurt her knee on Class #488 over the summer and needed arthroscopic surgery. But after a few months of rehab and rest, she finally got there last month! If that’s not enough to inspire you for the next week, month and year, I’m not sure what is. Way to go, Beth!
Have a milestone you’re celebrating or a personal best to tout? Let me know!
