- by Kelly Miller
- 6 minute read
Weekly Member Update May 11 – 16, 2026
Hey Fam!
We hope that you’re having an awesome weekend and are excited to see you in the gym this week! With the warmer weather we’ve been able to be outside more often, and can’t wait to continue that trend.
One thing that I’ve been really thinking on lately is “why do we do what we do”; and really making what we do have purpose. To us, it’s not enough to have a space that you just show up and go home (I mean that IS what happens… but stick with me 🙂 ).
Degree was built by someone, whom many of us have known from day one, out of needing to find a space to deal with the challenges that life brings each of us. This happened to be in the form of fitness.
Degree stands on a foundation to be a safe, fun, inclusive, caring, supportive environment where you can come, be yourself, get a kick-butt workout in and always know that you truly matter; we want to see you, we love seeing you, and it makes us so dang proud when you crush your workout, do something new, when it’s your first day, or your 1000th day, and everything in between.
Our purpose goes deeper than muscles; it’s to give all of our Members the strength, resilience, flexibility, speed, etc., to take on the challenges of life outside of the gym. To go on the walks, hikes, runs, try new fitness competitions in the area or abroad, try a Hyrox, go swimming, golfing, clean the house… whatever life includes for you, we want to make sure you can do it.
It rolls into our mental health; it’s really not easy being a human – there is A LOT of stuff going on! Movement is literal medicine in the sense that it provides a release of feel good hormones each time you workout, we create positive social connections, every time we do something hard, we rewire our brain to be more resilient, and it gives us a chance to move our energy, our emotions. To move things around so we don’t feel stagnant and find clarity in other spaces.
We do what we do because we’ve been there, too.
So, here’s to you. Getting your workouts in, one at a time. And we know that somedays we feel like we dont’ have the answers, and some weeks feel so long, but just remember that every time you walk through those doors, you’re doing something so incredibly good for yourself, that you can’t help but make a positive change on the world around you, plus, you’ll feel a little better after 🙂
Let’s rock this week, Fam!
– Your Degree Team
MURPH is coming!
This annual workout is a challenge to be taken on by all!
Whether it’s your first your completing it, second, third or more, it is always an accomplishment!
Details
Saturday, May 23
8-9am
*Part of your regular membership, or, come as a drop in*
Sign up via your ZenPlanner app as we get closer to the date; if class is full, hop on the waitlist and we’ll pop you in!
Bonus! Grab your MURPH Tshirt OR Tank Top HERE – orders due Thursday, May 14th
Questions? Email [email protected]
Personal Yin Yoga
These 60 minute, 1-1 personalized Yin Yoga appointments provide a deep stretch for your entire body using props, guided by your Certified Yin Yoga Teacher curated to what you most want/need from your appointment.
*Client’s have the option of using essential oils during their appointment for an even more immersive experience*
A perfect session for those looking for a deeper stretch, have had some nagging areas in their body, or, are just looking for a change of pace.
To book email [email protected] – appointments available this Monday, May 4th!
“Rei” = Universal “Ki” = Life Force Energy
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique aimed at promoting relaxation, stress reduction, and physical or emotional healing by balancing the body’s “life force energy”. Using light touch or holding hands over the body, your Reiki practitioner uses Reiki to support your physical and emotional wellbeing, giving your body, mind and soul what it needs.
If you’ve been feeling pulled to give yourself some extra TLC, finding a sense of grounding, or even direction, both of these modalities could be a good fit for you.
To book email [email protected]
Group Training Programming
May 11 – 16, 2026
Monday, May 11
Week two of this three week wave in the Front Bench Squat, starting with dynamic effort in the first section to prime the nervous system, and finishing with heavy submax lifts in the second section.
In the First section, your focus should be on speed and intent rather than load. After 1–2 warm-up sets (if needed), you’ll complete 4 working sets of 5 reps that are light! Then, In the Second section, you’ll transition into building to a heavy set of 4 over 3 working sets. The goal here is to move well under heavier load while maintaining the same positions and mechanics you established in the first part!
Then, we have a new benchmark called “The Lats Samurai”; posterior chain (back of our body) and grip focused, let’s get some scores in the computer for this one!
Tuesday, May 12
This workout is designed to keep you moving continuously at a moderate effort while alternating between dynamic movement, core work, and cyclical recovery. Your goal across all intervals is to stay consistent and controlled. You’ll have the opportunity to Run and/or Row for some intervals, or, do all Rowing. Your Coach will guide you!
*We did a similar workout of this last week so you will be able to review your distance from last week, and try to match it or even exceed it this week!
Wednesday, May 13
This is a giant set focused on upper body pulling and pushing strength, along with grip and positional endurance. Your goal is to move through all three movements with control and intent, staying just shy of failure while maintaining quality positions. Since this is repeated for three rounds, consistency across sets is more important than pushing any one movement to the limit!
*This is session 1/2 of our Pull Up/Back Strength work this week
Lastly, we’ll retest “Tidal Wave”!
Thursday, May 14
This is a longer, steady-paced piece where your goal is to keep moving continuously and maintain a consistent effort from start to finish. The opening 600m Run/Row should be controlled and moderate, setting your breathing and pace for the work ahead. You’ll start and end with this, with some bodyweight/sled work in the middle… like a sandwich!
Friday, May 8
Week 3/3 of ourdynamic effort wave of Band Assisted Squat Jumps and Landmine Rotation Punches! The intent is maximum speed with both movements so make sure you use the correct bands and weights in order to achieve the correct stimulus (purple or green for most!) Slight increase in weight today on the Landmine work, and aim to jump more explosively on the Band Assisted Squat Jumps!
Our workout is a short, high-intensity couplet where your goal is to manage fatigue early so you can keep pushing as the reps drop. Look to make your last round the fastest!
Saturday, May 9
We’ll do our second session of Pulling/Pull Up accessory work today! You are all going to build some serious strength this month on this stuff!
This is a longer partner chipper where the volume increases each section, so your goal is to manage fatigue early and keep your output consistent as the reps climb!
Elbow Star Plank Raise
A burner for sure, but quick to light up the glutes and core! Find this in your Group Training classes this week!
Questions? Or looking for some extra guidance?
Email [email protected]!
Have questions? Need help with anything? We’re here for you.
Email us HERE to touch base!