We believe in our Baltimore fitness community. It consists of a wide variety of individuals striving to make the world a healthier and happier place. We sat down with Rick Logan, a REV client, personal trainer and owner of FHIIT by Rick, to hear more about his background, love for group fitness, and his tried and true rules for accountability. Read on to learn more!

Tell us a bit about yourself!

Hmmm, this seems like a killer opportunity to brag. No big deal I’m a personal trainer, owner of FHIIT By Rick LLC. Okay I’m kidding I’m not going to go that route. I feel like I’m a pretty normal guy, I just happen to be really into fitness and have it align with my professional and personal lives. I’ve worked in fitness for 11 years now, holding virtually every job from front desk all the way to managing facilities. Over that 11 years I’ve had 2 strokes, thousands of hours of physical therapy, and a crap ton of support form the Baltimore community. I blended this all together to start a business in the hopes of giving a little back!

When did you start to exercise and why?

I actually started my freshman year of college. It was a great way to bond with my father. We weren’t that close when I was a young and it was something we did together and were able to build a foundation on. When I was about 20 he had a stroke and lost a lot of his function. I wanted to learn how to help him and switched my focus to exercise science and dedicated myself to learning everything I could!

How has fitness impacted your life?

Pretty much every way possible. I’m lucky enough to truly have it be my life. It’s the only thing that’s stayed constant for ten years. Job changes, struggles, health scares, you name it, fitness was there. I tell my clients it’s not going to solve your problems, but it sure as hell is easier to attack them healthy and happy. Post-stroke I’ve battled depression due to chemical imbalances that hit pretty hard. My cocktail to feel “normal” is medicine and a crap ton of fitness!

As a personal trainer, do you prefer teaching group or private training? What about taking it yourself?

Group all the way, no brainer. There is nothing like a room full of people, with the same goal, working together. I’m a REV regular and when you look in the mirror and see 50 people riding the wave with you... definite feels! I love teaching boot camps and seeing people pick each other up, that's human spirit at its best.

What role do you believe accountability plays in fitness?

I would say I believe in it pretty strongly considering it’s why I have a job! Our role in fitness is to educate, motivate, and hold our clients accountable. A world with no consequences isn't pretty. Unfortunately, the health consequence of not exercising, typically isn’t enough to motivate us. There’s power in knowing you have someone supporting you, that you don’t want to let down, or you want to make proud. I DO THIS FOR A LIVING and I ask my best friend *cough* rev instructor *cough* Barbara to hold me accountable. Some days I text her what I’m going to do in the gym, other days I ask her to join me for a run. I want to tell her I did it when she follows up or to join in and we push each other together. How simple is that!

What's your best rule of thumb when advising your clients on how to stick with their goals?

Know yourself! Don’t be stubborn and say you can do this alone or you don’t need accountability. Everyone can use support on some level. I know some of the strongest people I’ve ever met ask for help on a daily basis. There is strength in numbers. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, take a class, get a trainer, buddy up, or all of the above. You may be tough as hell but as Barbara says “iron sharpens iron!”

At the end of the day, we could all use more accountability and a stronger sense of community in our lives. That's the we reason we believe and stand behind group fitness! There's a special energy in sweating together, as one tribe. You can find Rick, holding his clients accountable, at Reflex Functional Fitness, on instagram at fhittbyrick, or pushing himself at one of our classes. As Rick always says, "Community over Competition", and we completely agree!