MANY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH BY WORKING OUT. WHETHER THAT LOOKED LIKE AT HOME WORKOUTS OR GOING TO THE GYM WHILE THEY WERE OPEN, ONE GYM TOOK A UNIQUE APPROACH. ONCE GYMS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE FOR THREE WEEKS, IRON OXYGEN GYM TOOK THEIR WORKOUTS OUTSIDE, TO THEIR PARKING LOT.

"We go to the 6 am's and it's great as long as you keep moving you aren't cold," says Molly Murray, a member at Iron Fitness.  

RAIN, OR SHINE OR EVEN SNOW, GROUPS OF PEOPLE COME TO CLASSES ALL DAY TO TRY AND GET IN SHAPE, AND FEEL BETTER DOING IT. MATT PRiBONIC, OWNER OF IRON FITNESS THOUGHT OF THIS IDEA WITH HIS BROTHER, BUT DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MUCH IT WOULD TAKE OFF ESPeCIALLY IN THE WINTER.

"It gives you freedom to workout in your community at great locations. So in the spring and summer time you'll find us at Asbury Woods, Liberty Park, Downtown," says Pribonic. 

EVEN IN THESE COLD TEMPERATURES PEOPLE ARE STILL TRYING TO KEEP IN SHAPE BY COMING TO THE OUTDOOR CLASSES.

"The cold is a temporary sensation. That's what i got to say to that. people keep coming and say 'wow i didn't think i would warm up that fast,'" says Pribonic.  

BEING STUCK INSIDE FOR MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND LOSING OUT ON THE ROUTINES MANY ARE USED TO CAUSED SOME TO GAIN THE DREADED "QUaRANTine 15," NOW WITH THE NEW YEAR TOMORROW MANY PEOPLE ARE SETTING A GOAL OF SHEdDING THOSE POUNDS OR JUST BEING HEALTHIER IN GENERAL.

"You have to do it. Staying active is so massively important for you and your family members and i'm talking children as well. The depression rate is up, suicide rates, are up and exercise is a huge part of keeping your lifestyle together," says Pribonic. 

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, PRiBONIC SAYS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BEGIN AS AN EXPERT, TAKING BABY STEPS WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THE LONG RUN.

"Exercise is not an all or nothing, something is better than nothing. You don't have to workout like Rocky, you can just do a little bit of movement a day. 20 minutes of walking, 30 minutes of walking but you have to stay consistent," says Pribonic. 

Pribonic says by working out you'll notice a difference in your life. 

"Everything going on in your life after a workout it changes, you think about it differently, you look at it differently, you just feel overall better," says Pribonic. 

If you're interested in joining the Outpost at Iron Oxygen, classes are free and you can find more information here, on their website.