THE WHY BEHIND ENDURALAB
I had gotten into endurance sports and had completed my first marathon in 2006. Being a researcher with running experience, I was not satisfied with the local run groups and online training available to me at the time. I decided to do my own research by following and speaking to experts in the field, and started playing around with my own type of endurance training. I tested my programming out on myself and Isis and then launched a lululemon run group, which grew in popularity and led to my first paid coaching gig: 10 weeks to a 10k training program. As the run program developed, I started to think more about strength training and working with other gyms in the area. I just never found anything that was mutually beneficial, so I set out to create my own space that would blend strength and endurance training with a foundation backed by science.
When I opened enduraLAB in 2011, I worked two jobs. I was at Lockheed Martin during the day and trained morning and night. As the popularity of the gym grew, we needed to expand the space and it was time for me to make a decision about my future. My mother always thought I should be a teacher and I like working with people, plus enduraLAB gave me a creative outlet. I sat down with Isis and the family and we made the decision together to fully commit to the LAB.
Looking back, it was one of the most nerve-wracking decisions I’ve ever made but I love the members and I love this job. I also enjoy the problem solving that goes with enduraLAB. People come to me post-surgery, injured or wanting to enhance their performance in some way and together we can evaluate the problem and program the right solution.
-Founder, Lee Hargrave
