Why make two trips when you can fit it all into one? When you go to the cottage it’s not always fun and games— there’s always a little work to do. Get the chores done early in the day to enjoy more time for play and rest.

I have never ordered Uber Eats. Well, except for that one time on Lauryn’s birthday. Once Ted was asleep, we placed our order and then restlessly checked in on the progress of our order and the location of the driver in the app. It was all going according to plan, until a message appeared —your order has been cancelled. This was supposed to be easy, what an inconvenience!

So, with nothing else prepared for dinner and an occasion that demanded more flavour, less fuss in the kitchen, I ordered takeout from a different neighbourhood restaurant. But this time, instead of tracking progress in the app, I hopped on my bike, picked up the order, and was back at home in no time. What an inconvenience, but honestly, I had a blast doing it.

Understandably, moments like cancelled orders and inconvenient parking situations feel like obstacles. However, perhaps one of the goals of our training pursuits is to build the physical capacity that everyday challenges stay small. The goal isn't to eliminate inconvenience in our lives, that is more than likely out of our control. Instead, our ambition is to develop the resilience and capacity to handle life’s surprises — big and small, with ease. Let us become harder to inconvenience.

Physical and mental inconvenience is overcome by developing the confidence in your body and enhancing its capacity to respond on demand.

With Barres and Bells, you not just lifting kettlebells to get stronger muscles. We aim to build a reserve of physical capability.

When you squat, hinge, carry, push, pull, and grip, you're expanding what your body can comfortably handle. Life doesn't become easier— you become more capable.

Training is inconvenient. We need to carve out 10, 20,40, 60 minutes or more out of our day to execute our program. No one delivers the results of training to you, they must be earned from calloused hands, cramped muscles, grooved movement patterns, and maybe a few beads of sweat. However, if you let them, the rewards of your efforts in exercise will show up everyday.

Next week, we are on a short holiday next week, and over the month of August plan to inconvenience ourselves with small bike rides, long walks, and a few strength sessions in the studio. What ways will you embrace the inconvenience of exercise in your own daily lives?

Next month on your own, or when classes start up in September, let’s continue to train to defy and embrace inconvenience.

Take care,

Ian and Lauryn

Inconvenience