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Workout warriors conquer the hill
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The HFH group takes time to strike a pose on the bridge during a recent workout. They are, from left, (front) Janine Boano, Austintown; Rachael O'Hara, Canfield; Julie Kopp-Leslie, Boardman; (middle) Joe Williams, Boardman; Roy Thomas, Youngstown; Kristen Etherly, North Jackson; Malinda Koncar, New Castle; Stephanie Foley, Austintown; Jenelle Dunkel, Canfield; (back) Nina Barletta , Hubbard; and Melanie Woofter, Cortland.
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Neighbors | Submitted.Several Valley residents meet together on Saturday mornings in Austintown to work out together. Pictured are some of the group's members. They are, from left, Joe Williams, Boardman; Rachael O'Hara, Canfield; Roy Thomas, Youngstown; Julie Kopp-Leslie, Boardman; Nina Barletta, Hubbard; Malinda Koncar, New Castle; Jenelle Dunkel, Canfield; and Stephanie Foley, Austintown.
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There are push ups, then there are push ups. Here, the group challenges itself by completing decline pushups.
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After each member completes a set of lunges, they move on to 25 pushups. They total 10 sets of lunges and 350 pushups, as members do 10 pushups at the bottom of the hill as well.
By STEPHANIE FOLEY
By the time you were even out of bed this morning, a group of Valley fitness junkies had already finished a total body workout.
Each and every Saturday, the group that goes by the name of HFH (Hill From Hell) wake anxiously to fulfill their personal commitment to health and fitness while enjoying the company of others who live the same lifestyle.
If you are friends with any of us on Facebook, you have seen our pictures and endeavors over the past few months. We have a great time talking about fitness, food, relationships and just life in general. We sweat and we work hard.
The crew includes myself, David Betras, Julie Leslie of Boardman; Jenelle Dunkel, Rachael O’Hara of Canfield; Sara Greathouse (my daughter) and Janine Boano of Austintown; Malinda Koncar of New Castle; Nina Barletta of Hubbard; Kristen Etherly of North Jackson; Melanie Woofter of Cortland; Joe Williams of Boardman; and Roy Thomas of Youngstown.
We meet every Saturday morning at 7 a.m. to do 10 sets of uphill walking lunges — some with weights, some without. Before we begin each set of lunges, we do 10 pushups at the bottom of the hill and finish with 25 pushups at the top of the hill.
There are approximately 88 steps to the top of the hill. Sometimes, we sprint up the hill. Sometimes, we do sit-ups or planks. Sometimes, we do side lunges up the hill. Once, we even did plyometric jumps up the hill. We mix it up to keep it interesting and to keep our muscles and bodies guessing.
More than anything, we have developed a strong tie between all of us in living a healthy life. Our favorite conversation is all the ‘good’ foods that we try not to eat. But we encourage each other with healthier choices. We have a lot of fun with each other and support each other through our own personal goals.
This all started over a year ago when David Betras and I began meeting on the Austintown bike trail that crosses over Mahoning Avenue to do our version of walking uphill lunges in our efforts to shed a few pounds.
Since then, we have grown to a number of 13 people who are committed and dedicated to living healthy. Many have been competitors of the local Cardinal Classic bodybuilding show in Struthers last September. One did her first show in Buffalo, N.Y., last March.
Some are getting ready to compete later this year and the rest are here for the fitness, fun and motivation of what we share these early Saturday mornings.
A few weeks ago we introduced Roy Thomas to our group so that he could do research for his new book to be published soon. ‘Toilet Training for Men’ is a book on relationships and some of his ideas were learned by our discussion during our workout. Roy was hooked on our enthusiasm and motivation as a group and he hasn’t missed a Saturday since. We welcome new people and encourage ideas to make our workouts intense and fun. Anyone interested in finding out more can join us Saturdays at 7 a.m. on the Austintown bike trail over Mahoning Avenue.
Rain, snow or shine, I’m sure you will find most of us there.