Resources

Best Beginner Hikes in Duluth

05/15/2026

Duluth makes it really easy to fall in love with hiking. That is part of the problem. People move here, or visit for a weekend, hear about the Superior Hiking Trail, and immediately assume they need to be the kind of person who owns trekking poles, h

How to Get Better at Pull-Ups

05/13/2026

If you want to get better at pull-ups, here's the annoying answer first. You do not get your first pull-up by trying random max-effort pull-ups once a week until something magical happens. You get it by building the pieces. Strength. Grip. Position.

CrossFit at Home vs Gym

05/11/2026

If you're trying to get back in shape, home workouts sound pretty great on paper. No drive time. No awkward first day. No worrying about whether you know what you're doing. You can throw on sweatpants, clear a little floor space in the basement, and

CrossFit vs F45

05/09/2026

If you're comparing CrossFit vs F45, you're probably not asking as a fitness nerd. You're asking like a normal person. Which one is going to help me get in shape without wrecking me? Which one fits real life? Which one is better if I haven't worked o

What to Expect in Your First CrossFit Class

05/07/2026

If you're thinking about trying CrossFit, your first question usually isn't about programming. It's more basic than that. What is my first class actually going to feel like? Do I need to know what I'm doing? Am I going to be the only out-of-shape per

CrossFit Before and After

05/05/2026

If you search "CrossFit before and after," you're going to get a lot of shirtless mirror selfies and dramatic transformation photos. Some of those are real. Some are a little generous with the lighting. Either way, they can give you the wrong idea a

Spring Fitness in Duluth

05/03/2026

There's a moment every spring in Duluth where you step outside and realize the air doesn't hurt your face anymore. The snow is pulling back. The trails are starting to peek out. Lake Superior is doing that thing where it looks almost friendly. And so

How CrossFit Fixes Your Desk Job Body

05/01/2026

Your body was not designed to sit in a chair for eight hours. Nobody's was. But that's what most of us do, five days a week, year after year. And then we wonder why our backs ache, our hips feel like they've rusted shut, and our shoulders are slowly

CrossFit for Busy Parents

04/29/2026

You wake up at 5:45. Make lunches. Get the kids dressed. Drive to school. Work all day. Pick the kids up. Make dinner. Help with homework. Collapse on the couch by 8:30. Somewhere in there, you're supposed to exercise? "I don't have time" is the mo

Personal Training in Duluth

04/27/2026

If you search "personal training Duluth MN" right now, you'll get a mix of big box gyms, solo trainers working out of their garage, and a handful of local spots. Some are great. Some will take your money and hand you a generic program they pulled off

What to Eat Before and After CrossFit

04/25/2026

You just crushed a workout. You're sweaty, your legs are shaking, and you feel great. Now what? Grab whatever's closest? Skip eating because you're not hungry yet? Swing through a drive-through? What you eat around your workouts matters. Maybe not a

CrossFit Terminology Glossary

04/23/2026

Your first week at a CrossFit gym, the coach says something like "Today's WOD is a 15-minute AMRAP: 10 KB swings, 8 T2B, 6 DB thrusters. Scale as needed. Rx is 53/35." And you just stand there thinking, "I understood maybe four of those words." Cro

What Does a CrossFit Coach Do

04/21/2026

You've probably had the experience. You sign up at a gym, someone gives you a quick tour, maybe shows you how to adjust the seat on the leg press, and then they vanish. You're on your own. You wander between machines, do some curls, hop on the treadm

Is CrossFit Dangerous

04/19/2026

Google "is CrossFit dangerous" and you'll find a lot of strong opinions. Most of them are from people who've never actually done CrossFit, watched one viral video of someone doing something stupid, and decided that's the whole sport. Let's look at w

CrossFit vs Orangetheory

04/17/2026

If you're looking at group fitness options in Duluth, you've probably narrowed it down to a few choices. CrossFit and Orangetheory come up a lot, and for good reason. They're both coached, both community-driven, and both a big step up from wandering

How Long Until You See CrossFit Results

04/15/2026

You've been thinking about trying CrossFit. Maybe you've read about it, watched a few videos, or talked to someone who won't shut up about their deadlift PR. And at some point you asked the question everyone asks: how long until I actually see result

Winter Fitness in Duluth

04/13/2026

Duluth doesn't do mild winters. By December, the sun clocks out at 4:30, the wind chill makes your face hurt, and the idea of going outside for anything other than shoveling feels personally offensive. And yet — this is the exact time of year when st

Running in Duluth

04/11/2026

Duluth is a running town. You probably already know that. Between the lakefront, the Superior Hiking Trail, and a calendar packed with races from spring through fall, there's a reason runners from all over the Midwest come here to train — and a reaso

Your 150-Person Tribe

04/09/2026

Back in the 1990s, a British anthropologist named Robin Dunbar noticed something weird. He was studying primate brains and found a pattern: the bigger the primate's neocortex, the bigger their social group. Not surprising. But when he plugged in huma

CrossFit and Mental Health

04/07/2026

You probably didn't start thinking about CrossFit because of your mental health. Maybe you wanted to lose weight. Maybe your doctor said something about your blood pressure. Maybe your jeans don't fit and you're tired of pretending they do. But here'

Recovery Day Guide

04/05/2026

Here's something nobody tells you when you start CrossFit: the days you don't work out matter just as much as the days you do. Maybe more. It's easy to get hooked on the routine. You show up three, four, five days a week. You're sleeping better. Your

How Often Should You Work Out

04/03/2026

You've Googled this question. Probably more than once. And every answer you found said something different. Three days. Five days. Six days with an active recovery day. Twice a day if you're "serious." The fitness internet loves making this

CrossFit for Weight Loss

04/01/2026

Let's get the uncomfortable truth out of the way: if weight loss is the only reason you're considering CrossFit, you might be disappointed. Not because it doesn't work. It does. But because what actually happens is way more interesting than a number

Boot Camp vs CrossFit

03/30/2026

What Boot Camps Do Well A good boot camp class will get your heart rate up. You'll do a mix of bodyweight stuff, maybe some dumbbells, maybe some running or rowing. The music is pumping, someone's counting down, and you leave drenched. That's a win

What Is Functional Fitness

03/28/2026

What Is Functional Fitness? (And Why It Matters More Than You Think) You can bench press 225 pounds but you threw out your back picking up a bag of mulch. Sound familiar? That disconnect is exactly what functional fitness exists to fix. Functional

Strength Training for Women

03/26/2026

Strength Training for Women: Why Picking Up Heavy Things Changes Everything There's a version of women's fitness that's been sold to you for decades. Light weights, high reps, "toning." Lots of cardio. Maybe some yoga. Definitely no grunting. It's

Group Fitness vs Working Out Alone

03/24/2026

You know what a solo gym routine looks like. You walk in, put your headphones on, do some machines, maybe hop on a treadmill for 20 minutes, and leave. Nobody talks to you. Nobody notices if you skip a week. Or two. Or six. That's not a knock on sol

Macro Coaching Explained: What It Is, Why It Works, and Whether You Need It

03/22/2026

Macro Coaching Explained: What It Is, Why It Works, and Whether You Need It You've probably heard someone at the gym say "I'm tracking my macros" and nodded like you knew what they meant. No judgment. The nutrition world loves its jargon. Here's th

Duluth Wellness Guide: Where to Recover, Recharge, and Take Care of Yourself

03/20/2026

Duluth is quietly one of the best wellness cities in the Midwest. Not in the $400-infrared-sauna-pod-with-a-juice-cleanse way. In the real way, where Lake Superior is your cold plunge, the trails are your therapy, and the people around you actually

The Power of Habits and Why You Need an Accountability Coach

03/18/2026

The Power of Habits (and Why You Need an Accountability Coach) You already know what to do. Eat more vegetables. Move your body. Drink water. Get some sleep. The information is everywhere. It's free. It's on every podcast and Instagram account and

How Much Does CrossFit Cost? A Straightforward Breakdown

03/16/2026

How Much Does CrossFit Cost? A Straightforward Breakdown You've probably heard CrossFit is expensive. And compared to a $30/month big-box gym membership, yeah, the sticker price is higher. But "expensive" depends entirely on what you're comparing i

How CrossFit Can Make You a Better Grandma's Marathon Runner

03/14/2026

Grandma's Marathon is in June. If you're training for the full or the half, you're probably already building up your weekly mileage, mapping out your long runs, and wondering whether your knees are going to cooperate this year. Here's something wort

How to Start CrossFit Even If You Haven't Worked Out in Years

03/12/2026

You've been thinking about it for a while. Maybe you used to be active. Played sports in high school, hit the gym in your twenties, and then life happened. Kids. Career. A decade slipped by and now the idea of walking into any gym feels like showing

CrossFit Over 40: Why This Is the Best Time to Start

03/10/2026

You spent your 20s grinding at work. Your 30s were a blur of diapers, soccer practice, and packing lunches. Somewhere in there, your own fitness fell off a cliff. Sound familiar? If you're in your 40s and starting to feel it — the stiff back from si

Fitness Classes in Duluth: What's Out There and What Actually Works

03/08/2026

Duluth has more fitness class options than you might think. Between the yoga studios, spin rooms, boot camps, and big-box gym schedules, there's genuinely something for everyone. That's a good thing. Any movement is better than none, and finding some

CrossFit Isn't Scary: What It's Actually Like Inside the Box

03/06/2026

You've seen the videos. Some shirtless dude screaming through a barbell complex while a crowd cheers like it's the Super Bowl. Ropes. Rings. People collapsing on the floor in a puddle of sweat. And you thought: That's not for me. Fair. Those videos a

Is CrossFit Worth It? An Honest Breakdown

03/05/2026

Let's Talk About the Price Tag CrossFit memberships typically run somewhere between $100 and $200 a month. That's more than a big-box gym. We're not going to pretend otherwise. At CrossFit Aerial, you can see our full pricing breakdown. It's transpar

Best Post-Workout Restaurants in Duluth, MN

03/04/2026

When You Need a Smoothie or Açaí Bowl — Fast Juice Pharm — 208 East 1st St The gold standard for quick, clean fuel in Duluth. Juice Pharm is 100% plant-based and gluten-free, with cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and açaí bowls made from scratch. Thei

The Most Beginner-Friendly Gym in Duluth Might Surprise You

03/04/2026

If you Google "beginner friendly gym duluth mn," you're going to get a list of big box gyms with low monthly fees and rows of treadmills. And honestly, that's fine for some people. But if you've been out of the gym for years and you're looking for so

The Duluth Outdoor Guide: 20+ Activities and the Fitness to Actually Enjoy Them

03/03/2026

The Duluth Outdoor Guide: 20+ Activities and the Fitness to Actually Enjoy Them Duluth isn't a city that happens to have some trails. It's a city built around being outside. Outside Magazine named it "Best Town Ever" in 2014 and came back in 2021 to

CrossFit: Concierge Health Without the Cost

03/01/2026

CrossFit: Concierge Health Without the Cost The longevity industry is having a moment. Equinox launched a $40,000-per-year membership that tracks 100+ biomarkers, includes personal training, nutrition coaching, and lab work twice a year. Tech founde

The Real Cost of Skipping the Gym: Preventative Fitness vs. Healthcare in Duluth

02/28/2026

The Real Cost of Skipping the Gym Let's talk about money. Not the "gym membership is expensive" conversation — the other one. The one about what happens financially when you don't invest in your health. We get it. Looking at $150–$200 a month for a

Duluth Is Hosting Its First-Ever CrossFit Level 1 Seminar

02/25/2026

For the first time ever, Duluth is getting its own CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course. March 7th and 8th, right here at CrossFit Aerial on Garfield Ave.If you've been thinking about getting your CrossFit L1 — or you didn't even know it was an option

Unlocking Your Potential: Highlights from the CrossFit Aerial Mobility Clinic

01/27/2025

At CrossFit Aerial, we believe in empowering our members to move better, lift stronger, and live healthier. On January 18, 2025, in collaboration with Nordic Performance, we hosted a comprehensive Mobility Clinic focused on improving joint health and

Breaking the Teardrop Model of Health: How CrossFit Aerial is Leading the Change in Duluth, MN

10/01/2024

Across the U.S., the teardrop-shaped model of health highlights a troubling reality: only about 5% of the population is hitting the mark when it comes to real, long-lasting health habits. Meanwhile, the majority either lacks the information or the be

Boosting Metabolism, Burning Fat, and Building Muscle: Tips for Duluth Residents

09/16/2024

As we age, we all experience changes in metabolism, hormone regulation and body composition. But metabolism is not dictated by age alone. In fact, there are many factors that can up-regulate metabolism.First, what is metabolism and how does it affect

5 Common Mistakes We Make While Starting CrossFit in Duluth

09/05/2024

Starting a new fitness routine like CrossFit can feel both exciting and overwhelming. The adrenaline of high-intensity workouts and the sense of community are huge draws, but for many newcomers, the journey isn’t without its challenges. Whether you’r

Napping for Sleep and Overall Health Improvement in Duluth

08/30/2024

Is Napping Good for People in Duluth?Napping can be a double-edged sword. While most adults are sleep-deprived, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, and even weight gain, a strategic nap might just be the remedy you need. For people in Duluth, a

Party Like a Pro: Healthy Eating Hacks for Gatherings

08/26/2024

Do you have a social gathering planned in the near future?Social gatherings are an essential part of life. They’re opportunities to connect, celebrate, and enjoy the company of friends and family. However, for those committed to a healthy lifestyle,

Harness the Power of Words to Create Positive Outcomes

08/22/2024

In Duluth, MN, the changing seasons often reflect the ups and downs many of us face in our personal lives. Just as the wind off Lake Superior can be both gentle and fierce, the words we choose—especially when talking to ourselves—can either uplift or

To Snack or Not to Snack: Making Healthy Choices in Duluth

08/21/2024

As the crisp air of autumn settles in and the days grow shorter here in Duluth, MN, our natural circadian rhythms undergo subtle shifts influenced by changing light levels. This seasonal transition affects not only our sleep patterns but also our eat

Take Back Control of Your Habits: A Guide for Busy Professionals and Parents in Duluth

08/19/2024

Habits are the unseen forces guiding our daily decisions. We like to believe we're in control, but the truth is, habits drive 90% of our actions. If you're a busy professional or parent in Duluth, you may already know how challenging it can be to sta

Back to School, Back to Shape: Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Refocus on Fitness in Duluth

08/18/2024

As the school year begins in Duluth, with public schools starting on September 3rd and the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) resuming the week of August 19th, the transition from summer to fall signals more than just the end of warm days at the la

Maintaining Skeletal Muscle and Bone Health: A Critical Focus in Aging

08/16/2024

When most people think of aging, they might imagine grey hair, wrinkles, or decreased cardiovascular function. But did you know that one of the earliest and most significant signs of aging is the loss of skeletal muscle?In fact, muscle loss is not ju

Brewing Energy in Duluth, MN: Balancing Coffee Culture with Natural Boosters

08/15/2024

Duluth, MN, is a paradise for coffee aficionados, with some of the best roasters in the Midwest calling this lakeside city home. Whether you’re savoring a bold espresso at 190 Coffee or enjoying a meticulously crafted pour-over at Back Alley Coffee,

CrossFit: Building Your Inner Circle in Duluth, MN

08/14/2024

CrossFit is more than just a workout routine—it's a community where like-minded individuals come together to push their limits, share their journeys, and build lasting friendships. In Duluth, MN, where the natural beauty of Lake Superior meets the ru

CrossFit: The Ideal Program for Athletes Training for Duluth Events

08/13/2024

Duluth, MN, is a vibrant outdoor city where the spirit of adventure meets the thrill of competition. With a landscape that caters to downhill biking, skiing, water activities, and hiking, it’s no wonder Duluth attracts athletes from all walks of life