In the early hours before sunrise in Edmonton, Alberta, temperatures plummeted to over 20 degrees below zero. Despite the biting cold, Tanis Smith bundled up and prepared to tackle a series of stairs nestled among the trees in the Saskatchewan River Valley.
As she arrived at 6 a.m., she was soon greeted by 10 fellow enthusiasts eager to partake in this frigid morning exercise. Their commitment to staying active often leads them to challenge the harsh winter conditions regularly.
“Essentially, you’re just layering on everything you own,” noted Smith, who works as an accountant. “If you look back at the photos, it’s hard to recognize who you are unless you recall what you wore that day.”
Since joining the November Project in the winter of 2013, Smith has been a formidable participant, rarely missing a session of this community-driven initiative. Originating in Boston, November Project focuses on free outdoor group workouts. No matter the season or weather conditions, members rise before dawn to engage in their weekly fitness routines while braving the cold.
Part challenging workout, part playful engagement, the November Project exemplifies a unique approach to maintaining motivation to exercise outdoors through winter months.
The movement emerged when two friends decided to encourage each other to stay active every morning throughout November. By month’s end, they had begun to attract other participants.
“A gathering is always more enjoyable with a larger crowd,” stated Bojan Mandaric, who co-founded the project along with Brogan Graham in 2011. “We would reach out to anyone willing to listen.”
In no time, their morning exercise gatherings grew, initially attracting dozens of locals, and eventually taking the idea to other cities when the founders relocated. Today, the movement boasts 52 chapters across eight countries, with a significant presence in the United States and Canada.
What can participants expect from the workouts?
The sessions welcome individuals of all ages and fitness backgrounds, typically commencing with a “bounce,” which is a playful call-and-response chant designed to loosen up both the body and mind. Depending on the day and location, the class might transition into running, bodyweight exercises, or even leisure activities reminiscent of playground fun.
Participants in Edmonton have engaged in high-energy versions of classic games like duck-duck-goose, and they’ve embraced sledding during the winter months, while summer workouts might include Slip ’n’ Slide activities. In one memorable Boston session, participants enjoyed an Easter egg hunt while sprinting around, cracking open eggs to unveil physical challenges like performing cartwheels or playfully dumping grass on Mandaric’s head.
The overall goal is to eliminate inhibitions, fostering connections among participants, highlighted Jason Shaw, a co-leader in the Indianapolis chapter.
“Everyone is on equal footing at November Project,” he explained. “In many gyms, there are always a few individuals who project an air of coolness, but that’s something we deliberately avoid here.”
Shaw also mentioned that chapters track achievements through a system resembling Scout badges, where participants might earn a spray-painted tag on their shirts for milestones like attending their first workout during extremely cold days.
However, when temperatures drop too low, they refrain from using spray paint since it can freeze. For those without access to a nearby chapter, many cities host running or outdoor exercise groups, though these often come at a cost. Nevertheless, November Project organizers have shared several strategies to help individuals remain active during the colder months.
Find a workout partner
Accountability serves as a foundational principle of the November Project. Members committed to showing up make verbal pledges, creating a sense of obligation toward teammates, according to Mandaric, who relocated to Boston from Serbia originally for a rowing scholarship.
Invest in appropriate gear
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing,” Shaw advised. He recommends that anyone venturing outdoors invest in moisture-wicking base layers to stay warm and dry while steering clear of cotton fabrics. A protective jacket that blocks wind is also essential.
Establish a routine
Mandaric suggests that committing to exercise on the same days and times for at least a month can facilitate the development of a sustainable routine. This predictability makes it easier to stick with.
Most importantly, have fun
Smith cherishes the community aspect of the November Project, referring to it as “a chosen family” that has formed around shared enjoyment of fitness. “Exercise doesn’t have to be a grueling, drill-sergeant experience,” she said. “It should be a blend of fun and fitness.”