“I want to get into better shape. I want to work out more.” I said this on January 1^st, 2020. And 2019, and 2018, and… you get the picture. This is the most common of all resolutions. It’s when gyms see a huge spike in membership and when health food stores see a huge uptick in business. It never lasts, of course. Most people have abandoned this resolution by the beginning of February.

This won’t be me. Not this year. Not again. The hands of the clock are ticking and, without being in better shape, they may not click for as long.

Portland, Oregon is a health conscious, outdoorsy city. If there’s motivation to stay in shape, just look outside. One activity I’ve always wanted to try is mountain climbing. I like the danger and I like the exertion and sense of accomplishment. So, when I went down to Yosemite over the Holidays, I tried it. And failed. Did I mention exertion. Exertion requires oxygen. Turns out, climbing mountains can suck the breath out of you.  I resigned myself to having to stick with indoor rock climbing. There are numerous indoor rock climbing gyms in Portland and it’s great exercise, so I didn’t for see a problem. My disappointment began to abate.

“Dude, Check out Altitude training.” This is Paul. Paul is super buff and in shape and knows everything there is to know about working out.

“Altitude training?”

“Yeah, dude. Basically train your lungs to function at high altitude’s while exerting yourself.” And then he handed me a card for a place called “Evolution Fitness Health Care and Fitness.”

Located at 925 Southeast Ankeny Downtown, Evolution is a month to month gym offering a variety of services including altitude training. This altitude training occurs in a six hundred and fifty square foot room and is good for not only improving your altitude functioning, but also for improving overall health and performance. They simulate altitudes from 9,000–17,000 feet above sea level. Since I’m wanting to climb Half Dome, not Everest, this should be more than sufficient.

I’m not a gym person by nature, but this place felt different when I walked in. The staff was friendly and non judgmental and people of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels were here improving their bodies. And, because there is no contract, it takes the pressure—though, I’m not gonna lie, sometimes I need a little pressure.

Regardless, I’m going to actually keep in shape this year and I think Evolution Fitness is going to be a game changer for me, especially with its convenient downtown Portland location.