The X-Factor



The Mothership: 24 Hour Fitness HQ in Carlsbad, CA


















I’ve heard people talk about cross-training for years.

How it helps your performance, flexibility, reshapes your body, and protects against injury.

Well, turns out they were right.

Over the past year, I’ve taken to cross-training like Tammy Faye Baker at a mascara sale. And it has been a real eye-opener.

I can honestly say it has made me a better runner.

While I rarely give shameless plugs and the truth is, I’m not really even a “joiner,” I have to give credit where credit is due. After God and self, all the credit for my current conditioning goes to 24 Hour Fitness. (And before I start World War III, I am sensitive to the fact that you East Coast’ers have Krunch Fitness – or fill in the blank with your local fave – but 24 Hour Fitness owns the West Coast. If you’re workin’ out anywhere in California, you’re there.)

If you haven’t been to a gym in a while, let me tell you: They’ve made it so easy to cross-train, they have removed all barriers and excuses for anyone to be out of shape. (How dare they. Bastards.) Whether it’s getting a personal trainer who can tailor a program to your specific needs (and believe me, I’ve had some weird ones over the past few years), or simply immersing yourself in one of their “Group X” classes, you owe it to yourself to get in there. The personal trainer you have to pay for, but the classes, those are free. (We love free.)

While working in Southern California, I’ve had the privilege to work out at the corporate headquarters of 24 Hour Fitness in Carlsbad, California (pictured, above). When I’m there, I almost want to write them a thank you note or ask at the front desk if there’s a guestbook I can sign, with a note telling them how much they’ve changed my life. Because if it hadn’t been for the cross-training – which they have made more accessible than ever for this amateur athlete – I wouldn’t be where I am today. And I certainly wouldn’t be running a 5K a Day.

So, 24 Hour Fitness, if you’re out there and you're listening… Thanks!