First Fitness Newsletter May 2026

Fit Summer Ahead


As we head into summer, our fitness team has exciting updates to help you achieve your goals. From new fitness classes to healthy living tips, we've got you covered. Our community is built on support and motivation, and we invite you to be a part of it.

What's new for the month of May

HYROX classes, a new name, and some holidays


Here's a look at our calendar for MAY:

May 2 - HYROX Hot Springs Kickoff Event,

May 4 - Equipment Orientation, 1PM, upstairs track

May 10 - Mother's Day (maybe a First Fitness membership for her???)

May 24 - First Hot Springs family breakfast, 8:30AM; Worship at 10AM

May 25 - Memorial Day - gym closed (have a fun family holiday!!)


First Fitness!

After 16 incredible years, it’s time for a fresh look! Our fitness ministry will now be known as First Fitness (formerly FBC Fitness).

We are so grateful for each and every one of our dedicated members who have been part of this journey. Your commitment, energy, and heart have helped this ministry grow into something truly special. God is using this outreach in our community in a mighty way, and we are honored to be a part of it together.


HYROX Hot Springs is where Performance meets Purpose!

First Fitness is proud to be the only HYROX affiliate in the area, bringing a new level of training and opportunity to Hot Springs.


HYROX is a global fitness race that combines functional strength training with endurance in a structured, repeatable format. Every race includes eight workout stations—like sled pushes, rowing, and wall balls—each paired with a one-kilometer run.


What makes HYROX unique is that it’s designed for every body. Whether you’re a beginner just starting your fitness journey or a competitive athlete, the workouts are scalable, the environment is supportive, and everyone competes on the same course—just at their own level.


What sets us apart at First Fitness is that we don’t just coach—we compete. Our coaching team has completed 17 HYROX races, earned three podium finishes, and, most recently, placed in the top 1% of a field of 20,000 athletes at the Houston HYROX competition. We train with purpose, and we train to win—not just in competition, but in life, in the gym, and in our community.


The beauty of HYROX is that it builds total-body strength and endurance in a way that carries over into everything else you love to do—whether that’s running, triathlons, pickleball, playing with your kids and grandkids, or just everyday life. It makes you better, stronger, and more capable across the board.


Our HYROX classes will include morning sessions Monday through Friday at 5:45 AM, Saturday sessions at 8 AM, and afternoon sessions at 4:15 and 5:15 PM. Our morning classes will begin on May 4, and evening classes will begin on May 18, when the Upper Level Basketball season is complete.


Whether your goal is to race, find community, or get in the best shape of your life, you’ll be coached by a team that lives it, believes in it, and wins together.


🔥 HYROX Weekly Training Schedule

Performance Meets Purpose

At HYROX Hot Springs, every day has a mission.

We don’t just work out—we train with intention.

Each class is designed to build a specific piece of your performance, so by the end of the week, you’re stronger, faster, and more prepared for race day.


🫀 Monday – HYROX ENGINE

Start the week by building your aerobic base. This is where endurance is developed, and mental toughness begins.

Focus: Cardio capacity, pacing, and stamina

🧱 TUESDAY – HYROX FOUNDATIONAL

Dial it in. Refine movement, improve technique, and build a solid base.

Focus: Form, efficiency, and injury prevention

⚡ Wednesday – HYROX POWER

Move fast, be explosive, and train your body to produce force quickly.

Focus: Speed, explosiveness, athletic performance

🏗️ Thursday – HYROX STRENGTH

We slow it down and lift with purpose. Stronger athletes move more efficiently and fatigue less.

Focus: Sled power, lower body strength, total-body force

🔁 Friday – HYROX CIRCUIT

Controlled chaos. A blend of strength and cardio that keeps you moving and adapting.

Focus: Transitions, work capacity, functional conditioning

🏁 Saturday – HYROX COMPLETE

Test your fitness with a specific emphasis on compromised running, power output, partner work, and race skills. Put it all together.

Focus: Build confidence as a team. Teamwork makes the dream work.

💥 Why It Works

This structure ensures you’re not just working hard—you’re working smart. Each day complements the next, so your body can adapt, recover, and improve. Train with purpose. Compete with confidence. Transform with consistency.

Equipment Orientation

with Monda


May 4, 1:00PM, on the upstairs track. Get the lay of the land for equipment and free weight training by joining Monda for this quick how-to class. You'll also get the best information about etiquette, hygiene, and adjusting the equipment. (You will NOT be expected to work out during this time!!)

Adaptive HYROX Reflections from Allie Breitenberg


Recently, Amy encouraged me to start training for the Adaptive division for HYROX. I quickly agreed. I’ve been reflecting, and below is what I believe that God is showing me right now.

 

🔺 Proverbs 24:16 - “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he raises again.” This is the Bible verse that wiggles into my thought pattern many times when I’m running. Right now, it’s very common for me to stumble to the ground when I’m running. Thankfully, I usually don't fall hard; it is as if God gave me springs in my legs! My balance and startle reflex both make running a greater challenge and was one of the biggest reasons why I decided to perform the “major” adaptive division because the running is greatly reduced.

 

🔺John 9:1-3 “As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”  When I train, I don’t want it to be about all that I can do. Instead, I desire for it to be what God allows me and strengthens me to do as I go forth. I desire for God’s works to be displayed in me while I’m training and while I’m not training — maybe this is a reason that God allowed me to have CP — so that God’s works would be displayed — in and out of my training.

 

🔺2 Cor 12:7-9 “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” This has been my favorite Bible verse for quite some time, and I’ve been reminded of it, and I think I can apply it to my physical training. There have been times when I’ve questioned why God allowed me to have a “thorn in the flesh” of CP, and my workouts would be so much better if it weren't for such. Yet God’s power can be made perfect in my weakness. 

 

🔺1 Timothy 4:7-8 - “…train yourself to serve God. Training your body helps you in some ways, but serving God helps you in every way by bringing you blessings in this life and in the future life, too.” God has to stay at the center of my training! As with anything else, if I fail to keep my focus upon Him, then the aspect isn’t healthy for me.

 

🔺2 Timothy 1:7 - “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Yes, HYROX does scare me!! My mind is my own enemy, and I can start to self-doubt. Doing so isn't from God, and His good Spirit can redirect my thoughts! 



First Baptist Church Breakfast


We're having breakfast together on Sunday, May 24, in the Family Life Center. Join us at 8:30AM for something hearty, then head to 10AM worship (just one service).

First Fitness Class Schedule for May

Gym Junkies

(These members had 15 or more workouts in the month of April!)

Jennifer Roberts

Darin Sanders

Lorri Saracini

Lisa King

Dana Lane

Karen Taylor

Mike Bridges

Chuck Lane

Ben Barr

Don Sanders

Cynthia McKuin

Randi Adkins

Diana Armstrong

Elizabeth Elrod

Janice Flemming

Diana Cooper

Keith Munn

Rodney Armstrong

Sharon Bridges

Jim Fitsimones

Janet Horton

Janet Porter

Michelle Smart

Terri Knapick

Betty Dobbs

Rachel Tillery

Shirley Willis

Carol Richardson

Dayna McCallum

Sandy Landrum

Susan Smith

Bobbie Morrison

Gary Knupps

James Bennett

Mandi Prados

Mary Lynn Steelman

Becky Maxwell

Rex Casey

Lisa Caple

Susan Nierengarten

Brenda Meeks

Carol Scrivner

Harry Schumacher

Martha Nolan

Stuart Shockley

Vernon Sears

Bill Davis

Yolanda Caver

Josiah Capaci

Earlene Arnold

Chuck Morrison

Dennis Smith

Harry Dudenhefer

Kathryn Carson

Kelsey Montgomery

Lee Ann Zaner

Marti Walls

Kay Moore

Becky Forcht

Tom Forcht

Debbie Burroughs

Jack Coy

Nick Flannery

Pam Hawthorne

Pete Gregan

Sandy Griffith

Tiffany Capaci

Vicki Philipp

Gregory Hobby

Pickleball Co-ed Winners


What a way to wrap up our 4-week Coed League!! We had three teams tied at the top, so it came down to an exciting tiebreaker to crown our winners - and it did not disappoint!



This league brought the energy, competition, and so much FUN every single week. Huge Thank YOU to all of our players for showing up, competing hard, and making it such a great experience!


We're already looking forward to the next one!


1st place: Duke Haight & Kris Raub (center)

2nd place: Rodney Armstrong & Jessica Garnett (right)

3rd place: David Robbins & Kit McMahan left)

Women's Advanced League

1st Lisa King

2nd Cathy Farmer

3rd Karen Taylor

Men's League

1st Rodney Armstrong

2nd Steve Bridges

3rd Josiah Capaci

Women's Intermediate League

1st Janet McAdams

2nd Lisa Telle

3rd Janet Horton

Thinking ahead to the

Spa Running Festival, November 14


First Fitness has a team for the race. Use the link below to join our team. Be sure to select our team (we're listed as First Fitness). Races are expected to fill up by the end of the month!



Cheering you on in health, hope, and community.


Amy Johnson, First Fitness Director

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First Baptist Church | 2350 Central Avenue | Hot Springs, AR 71901 US