This post was sponsored by Orangetheory Fitness. Orangetheory has three gyms in the Seattle area that use your heart rate to optimize your workout.
Hi, there! Tell our readers who you are and what you do.
I’m Cosmo Friou, Regional Fitness Manager at Orangetheory Fitness.
Wax poetic for a minute and tell us: what brings you most alive about this city?
The variety of people! You meet so many unique individuals from different walks of life with ever-changing mindsets that constantly keep you learning, challenged, and growing. At OTF, I have the opportunity to meet, train and build community with people of all ages and backgrounds – it’s very special!
What’s your favorite Seattle memory?
My favorite memory is a sunny Saturday paddleboarding on Lake Union. I cherish those days!
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Chicken Terriyaki box from TeriKing is my go-to meal when hopping between OTF studios! They are very quick, clean, and the best when you need a good, simple healthy meal.
Outside of the obvious stop above, share your other top three destinations for where you’d go on your perfect Seattle day.
1. Green Lake Park is incredible! I love running around the water and visiting nearby coffee shops after.
2. Capitol Hill has an exceptional variety of delicious restaurants, small businesses, and community experiences to explore – there’s always something new happening!
3. Lake Union has a great little beach access point to put a paddle board or kayak in and the community that takes advantage of our sunny lake days is so vibrant! I’ve met the best people who just love being on the water.
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
Smile more and be open to new people! The Seattle Freezeis only true if you let it be.
How does Seattle help you do what you do/influence your work?
With so many locals involved in the tech industry and sitting for hours at a time, they need compelling, efficient ways to move their bodies. I love training and introducing people to new exercises and how to have fun with their workouts – it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Part of Orangetheory’s program is tracking your heart rate during workouts to maximize efficiency and post-workout calorie burn. Our programs are very data-driven, while also building personal relationships and having fun. It’s such a joy to change lives through fitness.
What’s a project you’re working on (big or small) and how can our readers help you with it?
Breaking the myth of the Seattle Freeze! When I moved to the area, everybody told me that it was something serious. I am on a mission to melt the freeze and break that mindset. Be the person who makes the effort to say “hi,” hold the door open for others, and share small acts of kindness. It goes so far in helping people feel welcome and accepted in our community.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Surprisingly, the winter! I am very excited to train everyone at Orangetheory during the dreary weather season. It’s the best time to take an hour for yourself, de-stress from the holiday craziness, stay healthy and prepare for the spring and summer adventures that follow.