motivation - Summit Strength & Fitness | Madison's Training Community

The single-arm hold with a kettlebell is an example of Overhead Strength

Being Sick SUCKS; how to maintain fitness

I recently awoke from a 4-day flu episode - bedridden, moaning, layering and delayering and on a strict ibuprofen and acetaminophen alternation schedule. Being sick sucks, I found myself weeping over my lost fitness, mom guilt and my achy body. It got me questioning whether I’d be able to get back to my pre-flu cardio…

change is a journey completed in front of the capital building in Madison Wisconsin

Change is a Journey; make the best of it

Change is hard. Whether you’re trying to integrate exercise, change eating habits, or break a bad habit, it’s easy to get frustrated when progress feels slow. But, lasting change takes time — it’s a process. Change is a journey. Let’s go back to my Undergraduate degree and talk about The Stages of Change. The…

Summit; origins and into a New Phase

In January of 2017, Summit officially opened. It is crazy to imagine (at the time of writing this) that it was over 8 years ago. Some days, it feels like it has been 20 years, some days, it still feels fresh and exciting. If you want to read the whole origin story of Summit, check…

Mountain athletes do barbell back squats

Glutes are made for working; elevate yours

As much as we celebrate the postpartum journey, not enough is said about the flat, deflated feeling many of us experience with our glutes. Yes, I’m talking about the “pancake butt” phenomenon. And may I say, this isn’t just a postpartum issue - this is a relatable issue among sedentary and non-sedentary people, too. Glutes…

Be great at athletics; compare yourself to yourself

As a child, I grew up in an environment that allowed for my exploration. I had boundaries, but they were never boundaries that disallowed creativity and freedom. Much of my exploration was fueled by my highly active personality. Everything from getting into trouble doing harmless destruction to going beyond what many would think a little…

Man and his hunting dog holding a pheasant

What does it mean to Be Healthy; my 10 guidelines

When it comes to living a healthy and fulfilling life, there isn’t a single magic formula. Instead, true wellness is built on a foundation of multiple interconnected pillars. These ten principles serve as a guide to help you prioritize what really matters for your health and happiness. To be healthy is more than eating well…

Man on his snowboard racing a banked slalom

How to train year-round to be Competitive

When it comes to maximizing athletic performance, structuring your strength and conditioning program around an annual cycle is crucial. So dividing the year into phases—in-season, post-season, off-season, and pre-season—ensures you build strength, recover effectively, and peak at the right time. So let’s break down each phase and its key objectives to train year-round. With that…

Motherhood can be a challenge, use movement to help

As a mom, your to-do list can feel never-ending, and prioritizing yourself often falls to the bottom. Bottom line, motherhood can be taxing physically and mentally. However, staying active is one of the best ways to support your physical and mental health while handling the demands of motherhood. Becoming a mom has been the greatest…

How to make big wins out of losses

In life, setbacks are inevitable. But what if I told you that those little losses—the ones that sting for a moment—could be the very fuel for your biggest wins? It all comes down to mindset and action. Let’s explore how to transform every stumble into a stepping stone toward success and how to make big…

Two large dogs watching person bouldering on the moon board in the climbing gym

How to overcome self-doubt in fitness

Let’s be honest—there are days when just thinking about working out feels exhausting. You know the ones. Your sneakers glare at you from across the room while you binge-watch another episode of a show you’ve already seen twice. You hear that nagging voice: “Why bother? You can start again on Monday.” Don't give in,…

Doing kettlebell swings with a group of people in the gym

Overcome Anxiety of Working Out Around Others

As I sit here, shoes kicked off, on the floor of our office space, I find myself reflecting on Summit. It’s unlike any other gym I’ve experienced—community-driven, a bit rough around the edges, and genuinely homey. There’s something special about a space like this, where it feels like you could leave your worries at the…

Pillars to Successful Healthy Life

Health is more than just the absence of illness. It’s a state of thriving—where your mind, body, and spirit align in harmony. To live healthfully is to cultivate habits that sustain vitality, resilience, and joy. Here’s a deeper dive into six key pillars of health: eating well, moving often, challenging your mind, laughing always, staying…

trainclimbsummit