I tried a different fitness concept for 12 straight days and here’s what I learned

A friend recently asked me “If you could do anything in the world, what would you do?” I answered quickly.

“Execute every idiot idea that popped into my head.”

She laughed. And I said, “No, really.”

I love working out and I enjoy entertaining my friends and followers on social media.

On the week of December 12, I visited STAX Charlotte, Arrichion Hot Yoga and Coreology for workouts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

After posting each trip to each gym on my social media people began to comment about my tour of gyms around Charlotte.

Then my light bulb moment happened on Thursday afternoon. There were exactly nine days remaining before Christmas…

Announcing #12GymsofFitness through the rest of the holiday season. Visited 3 different gyms this week and will highlight 9 more gyms and workouts with a little Dodge flare! Should be fun AND entertaining Day 1: @staxcharlotte Day 2: @arrichion Day 3: @coreology.co Day 4: ?????

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Remember what I said earlier? Nothing gives me more pleasure than executing every idiot idea in my head. Well here’s a perfect example.

Thus the #12GymsofFitness was born. Do I need to paint the Christmas reference at all? 12 Days of Christmas? 12 Gyms of Fitness. OK. Cool.

What I learned

Get out of your comfort zone

I’ve never boxed a day in my life. Pure Barre scared the crap out of me and I’ve never ridden cycle bike that moves from side to side.

The saying “nothing good ever came from your comfort zone” couldn’t be more true.

I did workouts that I’ve never done before and it was so much fun. Challenging yourself only makes you stronger and over the 12 days, I definitely got stronger

Find what fits “You”

The Charlotte Fitness scene can be overwhelming at times! But I believe that there is something out there for everyone.

Whether you like to toss weight around or isolate those tiny butt muscles, you can find a gym that fits your needs. Don’t be afraid to test drive gyms or fitness concepts.

Always say “Yes”

My good friend, Jake Fehling, taught me this lesson. It sounds simple but it’s not always easy. As I sat at my office and counted the 9 remaining days, I could have not decided to take the journey.

The time and energy to reach out to the gyms, early mornings, new workouts and the pressure of making each video entertaining to my followers; could have all stopped the whole idea in it’s tracks. But I went through with it and it’s been a very rewarding experience.

My audience got behind the scenes into some of Charlotte’s best gyms, some motivation for 2017 and of course my #1 goal…SOME LAUGHS!

OK, here’s a look at the 12 workouts

Day 1: STAX Charlotte
Website | Instagram

#12GymsofFitness Day 1: @staxcharlotte @charlotteagenda asked me to write about my 12 Gym experience and I felt bad bc I didn’t have a video from STAX. I visited @emilybreeze’s HOT sculpt class on Dec 12th but didn’t shoot a video (mostly bc the concept hadn’t been born yet). So here it is! 30 mins in a hot yoga room being pushed by one of Charlotte’s top trainers! CA article drops later this week!

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 2: Arrichion Hot Yoga
Website | Instagram

I’ll change my fitness goals in 2017 they said…I’ll eat better in 2017 they said…how about right now?!? @arrichion

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 3: Coreology
Website | Instagram

I had to #embracetheshake at @coreology.co last night but you know I don’t take things too seriously

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 4: AIR Fit Charlotte
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#12GymsofFitness Day 4: @airfitcharlotte I love this workout bc it’s challenging and super fun with the silks. Men I would suggest to either shave your legs or wear leggings (your choice) oh and I successfully combined my new favorite album by @theweeknd with the brand as I was just “rockin” in the silk like a dang butterfly. Ps second day @coreology.co soreness was defiantly there. Where will the weekend take me? Use code AIRCHARLOTTE for $1 first class at AIR. Thanks Kerri!!

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 5: Move Studio
Website | Instagram

#12GymsofFitness Day 5: @movestudio_clt Yoga + Twerking = Count me in! Lauren (@essential_thrive) teaches a mean #CHAKTIYOGA class on Mon/Wed/Sat mixed with dance moves, great music and amazing energy. You gotta check this class. She offers 10 classes for $90. Come dance it out! (@torriesavage)

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 6: Pure Barre South Park
Website | Instagram

#12GymsofFitness Day 6: @purebarresouthpark I never realized how many tiny muscles I had until I visited @purebarresouthpark. Or should I call it #deathbyminiweights. After pulsing with that ball for 5 minutes, I wondered when the dodgeball game was going to start. Thanks for having me!! I’m feeling it today! (@scassidy07)

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 7: #CLTFreeletics

#12GymsofFitness Day 7: #CLTFreeletics Today’s gym isn’t a gym. It’s a community. #CLTfreeletics was setup by @wesleytknight and @caseycline_ as a way to workout with others that lift you up in more than just sprints and push-ups. We focus on a daily mantra before each workout and reflect on it at the end of the session. If you live in Charlotte and want to be connected with this amazing group of individuals. Let me know and I’ll add you to the Facebook group (ps I was under the weather this morning and missed the workout @mvivancophotog)

A photo posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 8: Fast Fit Boxing
Website | Instagram

#12GymsofFitness Day 8: @fastfitboxing Today I channeled my inner Rocky Balboa and Michael B Jordan at Fast Fit Boxing. Talk about getting out of your comfort zone. I’ve never done a boxing class of any type. But the instructors taught me the basics and I was on my way to a high intensity interval training workout. Yo Adrienne!! Sorry that’s my sister name, it’s just habit! (@caseycline_)

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 9: First Wind Cycling
Website | Instagram

#12GymsofFitness Day 9: @firstwindcycling Yo for real these @realryder_official bikes are legit. I’ve never done a spin class with a moving bike like that. It challenged my upper body and core when we went side to side. Oh and no one ever give me a stage to dance on at the end of my workout. Return of the Dodge!! (: @lynstagram_addy)

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 10: Functional Fit Charlotte
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#12GymsofFitness Day 10: @functionalfitcharlotte South End CLT’s newest fitness studio (near Sycamore Brewery) offers small group strength training: • 1 on 1 training w/ @qcfitconnect • Barre Pilates w/ @stephjones.fit • Urban Cardio Dance w/ @coreycyobrown (how’d my JuJu look bro?) Come check out the studio and enjoy their FREE WEEK 1/4 – 1/11.

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 11: Crossfit Surgo
Website | Instagram

#12GymsofFitness Day 11: @cfsurgo Took my talents two blocks from my house in Noda to Crossfit Surgo! With all these workouts using my tiny butt muscles, I was excited to toss some weight around! CF Surgo is great facility and is doubling in size with new renovations happening now! Excited to have this box close by as I have some lofty Crossfit goals in 2017…ONE GYM TO GO!!!!

A video posted by Dodge (@aaron_dodge) on

Day 12: Breathe Refuge
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#12GymsofFitness Day 12: @breathe_refuge Plan and simple…..JUST. BREATHE. (Watch the entire video I swear I don’t breathe the whole time) @itsjwinn

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Cover image courtesy of Matt Vivanco