September 13, 2017
Why this Summer was the Best Ever @IPF…
It seems like we always want to heap praise, “top” a story, or give life to something ordinary when it comes to describing events. People enjoy exaggeration. It makes life interesting. Although I can be entertained by magnification or hyperbole, I don’t enjoy it. I prefer Amazing. I Love to be surprised by People, Events, Athletes, and IPF. This Summer, Amazing was in full bloom. Everyday, someone or something was incredible…
Initially, I thought this could be a very good summer. We had our Best Staff to-date, we have a terrific Facility, and our Athletes + Adults are incredible People. We were prepared, excited and determined. Even with everything “in-place”, I was shocked at how well our Kids Performed, our Adults Adapted and our Staff continued to Sustain Energy. Having had some Time to Evaluate the “Why”, here are my thoughts…
Environment:
There are many Gyms in the United States, in Massachusetts, on the North Shore, and fairly close to us. They all have Weights, Equipment, Workouts and Staff. There is a great difference, however, Gym to Gym, in Environment.
We believe this to be very True in the Gym World, that among many commonalities, the differences are apparent very soon after you walk in or Workout. Why is ours Successful? We are structured, set up in such a way that one level of Mastery leads to another. We are built for the long haul, as we are Teaching everyday and it feels as much like a Classroom or Laboratory as it does a Gym Space. The Energy is eye-opening. It is present, sometimes whether you want it or not. All aspects, from the Music to the Air Flow, to the Conversations and Questions Asked of You, to the Gym Dogs to the Unofficial Dress Code and Theme Days, is part of the Environment that we try to Create and Build each day. This Summer, our Environment was one of Opportunity and Improvement…
Teaching (before Coaching):
Our Staff did an incredible job helping People Learn. Most Days, it was Focused on Exercise. Some Days, it was about Behavior. Often, it became about Actions and Evaluation. We asked people to Learn. We asked People to Grow. We asked People to Think, Plan and Evaluate. All “I don’t’ know” Answers were threatened with punishment and then re-asked. Sometimes we rode the Bike as punishment, but most times we heard a thoughtful response to the question that led us closer to Improvement. We Taught Every Day, and it was Awesome…
Attitude:
We are a Structured Gym. For better or worse, we want your best Focus, Commitment, Effort, and Mind-Set. It is not easy. Many people decide it is too difficult, too rigid, too long, too hard, etc, well before they start. They never have a chance to see just how much the Structure Helps them. How it provides a framework for their Success. How much Energy it saves but having a Plan and Working Efficiently and Effectively to Be a Better Version of Themselves.
We asked that People show up On-Time: they did. We asked that People Show-Up Consistently: they did. We asked that People Give their Best Efforts Daily, regardless of the Outcome or Certainty of Success: they did. We asked that People be Honest, Raw and Open about the Obstacles in their Path to Success: they were. Overall, the “Buy-In” was huge. When the Investment is Yourself, your Body, your Health, the smart move is too embrace the Evolution, the Change, the Opportunity of Improvement. This Summer, our Clients Did just that…
People:
We were fortunate this summer to have a variety of Athletes, Personalities, and Characters @IPF. We have some Adults in their 9th year with us. Some of our Athletes have been Training with us for 8 years. Their Consistency, and Commitment, is invaluable as a part of the IPF Culture. Equally valuable are the new people that walked into our facility for the 1st time. The new Perspective, Energy and Excitement they bring is a vital part of our Formula.
“It Takes a Village” is a mantra that indicates Everyone Plays a Role in Future Success. That is true @IPF as well. We are all in it together, Walking the same Walk. This Summer, some more Famous Names got some Attention at our Gym. We had (the Fab) Five Olympians Training with us in preparation for Women’s Ice Hockey and the 2018 Winter Olympics. Those women, their Presence, Attitude, Commitment and Actions made our Gym Better Everyday.
“They” rubbed off on Everyone. In their 10 months with us, I can’t remember a Bad Training Day. When they Win Gold, we will all still be talking about the 10-15 moments this Summer that left a lasting impression on all of us. It also didn’t hurt that Jamie’s Cousin, Matt Damon, was with us for 5 months. His Workouts were Dedicated, Fun and often unrecognized. His Group (Family) changed in size every day, but the Energy was always Amazing. Watching People who have “Found” Success just bust their ass is Motivating. Watching People have Fun Pushing their Limits, Pushing Each Other, and Pushing to Get Better will make you Get-Up and Start “Doing”…
Your Last Name never makes you Better than Someone Else, the Sum of Your Efforts Do. This Summer, IPF helped many to be the Best Versions of Themselves. In Return, our Gym was rewarded with Days jam-packed full of Opportunity, Improvement and Success. There was a Difference @IPF Everyday. If you have never been in another Gym, then you may not know. Feel free to Compare, because We Believe in IPF. Once you come, You will too…Thank You Very Much for the Best Summer Ever (by Far)….
Walter Norton Jr
Institute of Performance and Fitness
