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What’s up, fellow Obsessives?
Happy Hell Week! Each October, my friend Jeff and I like to text each other our count of Hell Week workouts in skull emojis each time we complete one.
So when I finish this morning’s workout, I’ll be sending him ☠️☠️ and I’ll expect to get the same from him.
It’s a little silly, but something both of us really enjoy.
Do you have any Hell Week traditions? What are they?
— Kevin
📅 The Week Ahead
☠️ Today through Saturday - Hell Week! ☠️
I’m attempting at going 8-for-8 again this year and will be posting daily updates on the new OTF Obsessed community message board. You can join for free there with the same email you use here and give your thoughts on each Hell Week workout as well!
🧡 OTF Obsessed Pledge Drive! 🧡
A huge shoutout to Victoria G., Randy G., and Sarah U., the first supporters of the OTF Obsessed Pledge Drive. You three made my week by helping cover some of the operating expenses around here. The drive runs through the end of Hell Week, and supporters get ad-free newsletters, a supporter badge (below) in each newsletter and more goodies throughout the year. Become a supporter here and I’ll thank you by name next week, too!
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Setting Hell Week Goals
I really loved Hell Week’s first workout, “Strike The Match,” and not just because my coach showed up dressed like The Lorax.
As a treadmill junkie, I loved the reverse pyramid of surges and used it to run farther than I usually do. The floor and rower block rocked, too. I pushed from beginning to end in a way that I haven’t in quite some time. My calorie burn was sky-high and so were my splat points.
During the workout, I was thinking about why Orangetheory can’t bring the fire with more workout templates like this one during the rest of the year. Yes, we have signature workouts like Everest and Inferno, but wouldn’t it be cool if every, say, Friday was a workout you had to wear your big boy or big girl pants for?
(This is the point where someone from corporate is reading this and points out that class participation rates might drop if they gave people advanced notice of a really tough workout, which … fair.)
But that random thought also made me think it shouldn’t be Orangetheory’s job to come up with a week-long gimmick or a monthly recurring template to have me go 110 percent.
That decision is always up to me.
And so I decided that my goal for this year’s Hell Week will be to treat at least one workout per month like a Hell Week workout. That means treating it like a special occasion and raising the challenge by increasing my effort.
I actually love this idea of using Hell Week to set a goal or two.
The holidays will be here soon and it can be easy to let go of the rope from a workout perspective. Even if you don’t, a goal in the studio can help you navigate the uncertain stress that comes with the final two months of the year.
So as you go through this week of special Hell Week workouts, make sure to use them as a mental reset for your regular workouts and get a goal or two in your head. For me, I know leaving more classes feeling the way I did after the first Hell Week workout will pay off in many positive ways.
📰 Orangetheory News
• Apple Watches can now be connected to the studio trackers for a one-time fee of $99. I’m curious to get a review from anyone who does this. I love my Apple Watch, but I’m not willing to pay the fee after upgrading my OTF tracker late last year. (9 to 5 Mac)
• A look at why the number of OTF locations decreased from 1,333 in 2023 to 1,198 in June 2026. (Inc.com)
• Wisconsin police are searching for a suspect who’s been breaking into the cars of Orangetheory members! (WISN)
🏅 Milestones and PRs
Have a milestone, PR or big win to celebrate with everyone else? Hit me up at [email protected] to share!
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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.
