Monday Musings by Melinda M.

Living Hilo Style led me to what looks like will be a long-term commitment. I’d been looking for the perfect combination of variables to work out and I think I found them. See, I’m a pretty needy gal. I needed 1) some place that wasn’t too far away; 2) some thing that had variety; 3) some way to ease into a routine and 4) somebody to go with.

I found Hilo Health Co-op (@thecoopgym) by trolling it on Instagram through @livinghilostyle. Actually, it had crossed my path a number of times in a number of ways before I actively checked it out so it was kinda already in my subconscious. Here’s what appealed to me from the get-go: the 1/2-hour pre-workout assessment to determine my fitness level. That sounded totally reasonable! I always hated feeling like everyone around me was in better shape than I was. Here, I could be confident I was in a group that was just the right pace/level for me. 

Once the assessment confirmed my suspicions (high beginner), I was shown my workout on the whiteboard and told how it goes: come any MWF to any of the classes offered throughout the day, check in with the coach who floats between the beginner and higher level courses, and go!

Okay…but, like starting anything new, it was a little tough to commit to myself to commit to going. When the first day for me to go rolled around, I convinced myself to get out of going.

That’s when Hilo kicked in.

Assessment appointments are written on a large whiteboard in the office. If you’re in the office and look, you’ll see who has come in and who is coming in.

Soon after my assessment, I texted a friend who I don’t normally text about something random. She texted back, “Hey, are you working out at Hilo Health Coop?” WHAT? Ok. Well that does it, Universe, I guess it’s meant to be. I’m supposed to be working out.

I asked my friend if she would be my Workout Buddy – not necessarily work out together, just keep each other accountable while building this new habit. Fortunately, she was game.

And so now I go to Hilo Health Co-op! I love feeling like I’m kinda in a class, but kinda on my own. I love the variety within the work outs, which are different EVERY time. I love that it’s broken into three parts – warm up, strength training and endurance – so my brain thinks I only have to get through one little workout. And I love knowing that I am working out at the level that I should and can ask for help from what feels like a personal trainer when I’m insecure that my body mechanics aren’t right.

Check out Hilo Health Co-op! And if you mention Living Hilo Style to Grif, your $50 assessment will be free! I think your universe is calling you…!