The November Project Expands Its Free Fitness Empire

Harvard Stadium interior. Perfect for running stadiums. All photos by Melissa Malamut (more photos below)

The beloved Boston-born, free fitness community known as the November Project is expanding. What started as a free, fun-loving way to workout with strangers (that soon become your best friends), is now “opening up” a Madison, Wisconsin outpost. We say that in quotes because there is no physical location, and there most likely never will be. Why? Because the November Project is free and always will be (although wasn’t that Facebook’s motto too once?). They use public land (and a spirited group of fitness enthusiants) to exercise, and sweaty hugs to motivate each other. We first reported on the tribe back in October, and then again when one of our writers braved the coldest night of the year (so far) and chronicled her experience running the Ninja Race.

What is more motivating than getting to run stadiums in Harvard Stadium? We hope the people that use the oldest concrete structure in the nation to workout understand how lucky they are. It is very rare to have a stadium just open to the public like that, and it is (was) probably the Boston-area’s best kept fitness secret. (We feel sort of scared giving away our favorite place to workout on weekends, but something this good must be shared.)

The November Project announced the expansion via social media (which is how the community “talks” to each other):

Welcome NP of Madison, WI to the world of FREE fitness!! #WorldTakeover2013 @nov_project_msn @newbalance @bostonmagazine @marathon_sports

— November Project (@Nov_Project) February 19, 2013

What we love about the November Project is how it is transforming fitness and how we think about working out. The price of gyms and specialty studios keeps rising, and the November Project sort of puts a middle finger up to all of that, but without actually doing that because they are all about positivity and love (i.e. sweaty hugs). By expanding into another state, it proves that you don’t need 10 reformer Pilates classes for around an astonishing $300 (seriously Boston, it’s like $260 at most places in NYC and in Florida, get a grip), or a $150 a month fancy gym membership because the locker rooms have eucalyptus aromatherapy, cucumber water, and towel service. All you need is an alarm clock, some workout attire (layers for winter), and an open mind (well that, and an awesome stadium to use for free). Bravo, November Project.

The November Project is so popular that it’s spawning imitators. A random pop-up bootcamp at Harvard Stadium.

Looks easier than it is.