This fitness program began in a doughnut shop
How you too can start one — and add nine years to your life
(español)
It began nine years ago, on a rainy February day, in a Dunkin’ Donuts.
They planned an outdoor workout, but after a few drenched minutes, Rob Pyles and Jordan Schulz decided to plan for the future over coffee, indoors.
A few weeks later, at my Rino’s Place[1] birthday lunch, they told us about their new thrice weekly outdoor workout: Eastie Rising!
We developed routines and rituals. Always at 6 AM: a brief warmup, the workout, and a quick stretch, cheer, and group photo, ending by 6:45. Two days a week, we met at Memorial Stadium (where workouts included stadium stairs, tabata on the field, or neighborhood runs), and one day at LoPresti (“LoBeastly” [2]): the waterfront park with the best view of Boston’s skyline.
Rob and Jordan took turns organizing, bringing the prepared workout and music and sometimes jump ropes, cones, or frisbees. They developed our semi-flat leadership model — workouts often featured rounds where everyone contributed one exercise, and we rotated guest workout organizers.
Eastie Rising! is still going strong — now led by Steve Holt[3], with guest leadership from other Risers. It has evolved, but only a little: now Tuesdays and Thursdays, always at “LoBeastly”, still at 6 AM.[4]
Risers have woven a shared history and culture, associating songs and nicknames with many exercises. Rather than jackknives, they’re knifejacks — as Marcela called them. When we do dips, we sing “put your hand upon my hip. When I dip, you dip, we dip,” even when Fabricio (who first sang it) isn’t there. We reminisce about a past official t-shirt, and the notorious pub run that celebrated Eastie Rising! some years back: one of several outings beyond the workouts.
We rise in the cold. I recommend winter outdoor workouts (said he, writing safely from June). The air is crisp — maybe uncomfortable at first, but then much better — and the sunrises are beautiful. The crowd is smaller, but mighty and proud.[5],[6]
As people return in spring or summer, or after several years (looking at you, Matt), we’re excited to welcome them back: once a Riser, always a Riser.
Working out together increases health benefits. Tennis adds nine years to life expectancy: the most of any workout — perhaps because, like Eastie Rising! tennis combines two community joy pillars: relationships and fitness.[7] They are synergistic: exercise releases neurochemicals that provide a natural, healthy high, and enhance connections and cooperation.
Working out together also brings accountability, increasing commitment (and fitness); we might not want to get up at 5:30 AM, but we don’t want to leave friends hanging. By 7 AM, we’re glad we went.
So how can you build community joy and find your own Eastie Rising!? If you’re in Eastie, join us, or East Boston Run Club. Awesome local nonprofits also provide low-cost swimming, sailing, dancing, kayaking, farming, and gym space; and activities from youth sports and fitness to yoga for older adults. Outside Eastie, others in Greater Boston (and 57 other locations) can join the November Project.[8]
If you don’t have a group workout nearby, or want to start a new one, here are some tips:
· Start small and simple. Choose a workout type. If community friends are open to it, plan together. If you don’t have local co-conspirators, do the workout on your own (in a safe place).
· Choose consistent day(s), time(s), and location(s). Keep each workout the same length of time.
· Poster. Post online. Partner with a local nonprofit or company to spread the word.
· Introduce fun routines and rituals — and let them develop organically. The Eastie Rising! cheer and photo make the workout complete and strengthen our community.
· If you can, provide options to work out at various intensities to be inclusive and challenging. For example, encourage people to modify pushups for their fitness level and needs.
· Help build an inclusive workout community. Risers are diverse in race, ethnicity and gender. However, outdoor tabata isn’t for everyone. Maybe yours will be an outdoor tai chi, yoga or dance workout. Together, we can build an array of workout types, times and pricepoints (including many free options) so everyone can find a workout for them.
Now join me (loud and proud) in our old standard cheer: EASTIE RISING!
I’ll see you out at LoBeastly.
[1] We don’t need anyone else adding to the line at Rino’s — but since you’re a friend: you have to go. I love the gnocchi, and eggplant. My wife (and Eastie Riser) Vanessa highly recommends shrimp limoncello.
[2] Sean’s nickname for the park in honor of intense workouts.
[3] Jordan’s family returned to their Wisconsin homeland and Rob’s family are traveling. We’re always excited when they, Trent, and others surprise us at Eastie Rising!
[4] Or 6:07 if you’re me, which I am.
[5] I’m embarrassed to admit, dear Minnesotan friends, we have called it off with 0 degree forecasts — but maybe next time it’s 0 degrees . . .. (Don’t hold me to it).
[6] Shout out to Aiko for grit and persistence, and Diana — who is from California (so for those of us from colder climes, what’s our excuse?)
[7] Tennis’ intermittent intensity also brings benefits, just as Eastie Rising! tabata workouts do — so an Eastie Rising! workout just might also add nine years.
[8] Jon Day of Eastie Rising! often does both
This is the 18th post about boosting joy the only way we can: in community. Whether you’re increasing your personal joy; making your community the next Finland; saving democracy; or just a friend reading along, this column is for you. Please share and subscribe (https://medium.com/@justinpasquariello). To join our movement, please send me an email or support East Boston Social Centers: https://www.ebsocialcenters.org/support