“Just Show Up” to November Project New York

There’s a free fitness movement sweeping North America and thanks to November Project New York, it’s just a hop, skip, and jump away

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

It’s 5:30am on a dreary Wednesday morning in New York City. There’s ice on the taxi windshields, a chill in your bones, and all you want to do is climb back into bed. But somewhere in the city, a swarm of people, clad in brightly colored clothing is planking, sprinting, and hugging, while blasting Celine Dion’s greatest hits. This weatherproof, spirited group of individuals is November Project New York and all they want is for people to “just show up” to their early morning workouts.

In November 2011, Northeastern crew alums Brogan Graham and Bojan Mandaric were looking for a way to stay fit during the bleak winter months of Boston, Massachusetts. In order to motivate themselves, the two decided to make a pact to meet at 6am each day for an intense early morning workout, something they called their “November Project.” Not only did Graham and Madaric keep their word, but they also spread it across North America. First their friends starting joining them, then total strangers, and before long, the duo realized that they had launched a grassroots fitness movement.

Fast-forward to 2015 and November Project “tribes” can be found exercising year-round in more than 20 cities in the United States and Canada. The free outdoor workout group welcomes participants of all levels, from the fitness rookie to the former Olympian. While tribe members range from ages 15 to 65, most members are young professionals in their 20s and 30s who are new to the city and looking to meet people. Arguably, these millennials benefit the most from November Project’s commitment to building community. It’s nearly impossible to not make friends at November Project. Aside from the fact that members must hug their neighbor before each session, most of November Project’s workouts require a partner. Although partners often have a love-hate relationship as they are made to give one another piggyback rides while sprinting, come post-workout, they’re all smiles.

November Project’s workouts may be challenging, but each tribe maintains a friendly and encouraging atmosphere that promotes unity among its members. One of their largest (and most enthusiastic) tribes is November Project New York (NPNY). Organized by tribe leaders Paul Leak and John Honerkamp, NPNY draws over 100 people to attend their Wednesday and Friday morning workouts at locations like the Williamsburg Bridge, Wall Street, and even the Staten Island Ferry. Like all tribes, NPNY is centered in each member’s accountability. If you tell a fellow tribe member that you’re going to attend a workout, you better be there, or else risk appearing on their blog’s “We Missed You” page that features members that skipped a session. Although such posts are playful, they exemplify November Project’s dedication to their tagline, “just show up.” Knowing 100 tribe members are waiting for you in the morning cold, is motivation to get up and out of bed.

Although NPNY is technically considered a fitness group, some refer to it as a flash mob, others call it a dance party, and many see it as a professional cheerleading group. That’s because quite simply, NPNY knows how to have a good time. When they aren’t sporting their neon colored gear with “November Project” spray-painted on it, NPNY may be seen wearing wigs, tutus, or theme-based costumes. There are, in fact, a lot of spontaneous spurts of song and dance at their workouts—as long as the playlist is on point. But best of all, November Project supports positivity, kindness, and inclusiveness, something we could all use to kick-start the morning. So, as next week quickly approaches, NPNY has one question: will you show up?