From couple workouts to their engagement, this power duo tells the story of their romance—and how obé fit into it!
Tell us about yourself!
Bonnie F., age 51, Chicago, IL. Banker, community volunteer, mom of two college-aged kids, and bride-to-be!
How did you originally discover obé?
I became an obé member in May 2020 after the pandemic shut down my local gym. Taking classes had been the only way I really knew how to exercise, so I tried out several different online workouts, but none of them really excited me. Then I got an offer from Rent the Runway for a 30-day obé trial. I vividly remember a Sculpt class with Kathryn A. that very first weekend where she looked straight into the camera during a close up and said “Bonnie, I am so glad you are here” – it was like she was speaking directly to me, literally and figuratively. I was immediately hooked! I bought an annual membership, quit my local gym of 20 years and have now surpassed 1400 classes on obé.
How has obé impacted your life?
Just after joining obé, my mother was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. I began to travel frequently to take part in her care. That first trip unexpectedly ended up lasting over a month. During previous visits, it had always been such a struggle to figure out what I was going to do for exercise while away from home. Now, having obé at my fingertips enabled me to maintain my fitness needs, whether it was before mom woke up in the morning or any other time during the day when I could squeeze it in. Being able to be there for my mom, while also taking time for myself was a blessing and such a needed respite really, in the middle of the roller coaster of her health crisis.
Physically, I’ve always been pretty happy in my body and had weighed the same my entire adult life. Somehow after joining obé though, I managed to lose 10 pounds. So, consistent movement through obé seems to have jump-started my metabolism and has even allowed some muscles to peek through!
What makes you stick with obé?
Hands down, obé has the best, most talented, motivating and kind instructors! Their positive energy is simply contagious and their interactions with the obé fam are truly unique and create such a welcoming environment. I don’t know how many times the instructors have shouted me out, shared a sweaty selfie of mine and/or referenced in class something they saw online. Their care for the obé fam is evident. The variety of classes is also incredible. There is always something to fit my mood, energy level and need for movement, whether it’s a 10-minute Bounce class or an hour-long Power session. The ease with which I can fit obé into my everyday life has truly made it a game-changer for me.
Go-to instructors?
I have so many go-to instructors! I literally have Dorian C. on replay, for her tough love, sassiness and also her penchant for rhyming and food references (chips with dips, anyone?!)! Melody D.’s workouts are a blood-pumping rush, and I am seriously in awe of her ability to talk nonstop through class, with seemingly no effort, even during a 40 second burpee push! Her mom dancing is also pretty epic! Alex S. is pure sunshine and joy on top of a mountain of non-stop movement, and her amazing shout outs make it feel like you’re taking a class with all of your BFFs. Kat E. is so incredibly calm and gives such great explanations of the how and why of her movements. She is the consummate coach and gives you the confidence to get through a workout. Lastly, Mary W. is just the best combination of personality and pep, and is my go-to for a megadose of cardio, choreo and kindness–I am proud to be on her dance team! Oh, and Spencer J. just cracks me up. I could literally go on and on…
Go-to class types?
I’m a huge fan of Strength, Power, HIIT, Cardio Boxing and Bounce. I love sweating it out, but I also know how important strength training is–not just for toning, gaining muscle and better functional movement, but also for building bone density, which becomes a super important goal as I get older. I just finished the obé strong gym program and am excited to start the BodyComp program next.
You and your fiance are so cute! Tell us about your couple workouts—do you often work out together?
I love that Rob has embraced my obésession! He and I are both recent empty nesters so are able to work out together more often. Given our busy work schedules, we fit it in when we can—on weekends, we may do some couple workouts together from his family room, and on weekdays, we’re each at our own places and may WOP and/or call to say good morning and compare notes after class. It’s always fun to hear each other’s shoutouts in class!
On our recent trip to Hawaii, we mostly did Alex’s Cardio Boxing, Dorian’s HIIT and Walter’s no equipment Strength classes on demand. We also did Alex and Mary’s Cardio Boxing & Dance HIIT couple workouts (one of my personal faves). He proposed to me halfway through our trip, so after my fiancée demonstrated Mary’s dance moves for friends the next day, they suggested that we break out Mary’s routine for our first dance as a married couple! Our wedding vows may very well include “to love, honor and obé!”
Where do you do usually obé?
I obé daily in my basement rec room at home in Chicago. It’s so easy to roll out of bed in the morning and cast from my iPhone to my large screen TV. I also take obé everywhere I go and have done workouts on the beach in Hawaii, a hotel room in Los Angeles, 10-minute sculpt at the airport, and the back patio of my brother’s home in Boston. I will also admit to being an obé groupie and traveled with my brobé to Austin and Dallas for the IRL Athleta partnership workouts! I was a total fangirl when meeting Dorian, Walter, Alex, Liz and even Mark Mullett in Texas!
Leave a Reply