Hilah’s Shred415 Story

“I truly love, love, love this workout!

My fitness goal over the last decade has always been to be fit enough to participate in any reasonable activity that crossed my path. I didn’t want to have to say no to hiking on the weekends or not be able to play tag with my nieces and nephews after dinner because I was out of breath. I associated building relationships and life experiences on maintaining a basic level of fitness.

In addition, I’ve always had a bucket list of fitness items I wanted to complete.

Weight lifting was always easy for me, so that is where I started. Simple YMCA classes led to Olympic lifting (which didn’t last long!), which led to Crossfit. Along the way I ran a handful of 5ks, a 10K, a couple of half marathons and biked across Iowa three times with my brothers and sisters.  I ran because I had to, but NEVER enjoyed it. Mentally I couldn’t get past how much I hated running.

As my fitness goals progressed, my next task was to sign up for Triathlon in 2016. I knew I needed to get past this running block I had created.  I started talking with my friends, and a friend told me about this Shred415 class she had heard about. “They run on treadmills and mix in weights. I hear it’s amazing, you should try it.”

I signed up for my first class in June, and loved it! The workouts are tough and the perfect mix to help me forget how much I dislike running. I actually had a lot of fun in August pushing through to a new top speed. One day I felt like I was actually gliding over the treadmill while the instructor yelled “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?!” That experience really stuck with me and I repeat it every time I find myself struggling.

To prepare myself for next year’s triathlon, I signed up for a last minute mini-triathlon to get a feel for the transitions. I finished the race gliding into the finish line—the same glide I felt during class. To my surprise, I placed first in my age group in my very first triathlon. I am so excited to continue working and improving my running this winter, so I’ll be ready for my first official Tri Season next summer.

Thanks a lot, Shred415 staff and coaches, for doing what you do and creating such a fun workout!”

-Hilah Wheeler