
My iFit story - Don Schintz
Before iFit, I had been a casual jogger for quite a few years. I enjoyed getting outdoors and a good run. We even purchased a treadmill in 2011, but during the winter, I rarely found time to use it. In the summer, it was just too nice out to be inside. On March 28, 2014, I reached a record weight. I didn’t have time for exercise, but my body was telling me that I needed to do something.
I read someone’s blog post about how they worked out at 4:30 in the morning, because they couldn’t make time during the day. That seemed like crazy talk! I could not imagine getting up that early. I even doubted that my body would let me exercise at that time of the day.
Having a full-time job and being a part-time basketball coach, I knew that my schedule just wasn’t going to ever let me exercise consistently at night. I really had to do something drastic. So on March 31, 2014, I decided it was time to commit to 4:30 a.m. workouts.
I started by using the programs that were standard on my treadmill. By mid-June, I was looking for a way to keep track of my running stats and discovered that my treadmill could log into iFit and automatically keep track of my runs. By mid-September, I was really starting to get tired of the same old treadmill programs. I decided to really investigate what iFit could do. I also started to check out the iFit community site, and found the people there to be very welcoming, friendly, helpful, and encouraging. I finally decided to sign up for a year of iFit. It wasn’t long before I was running maps all over the world!
iRun4Ryan
It was also in September of 2014 that I found a Facebook group called “I Run for Michael” (or www.whoirun4.com). It is a non-profit organization that matches runners with “buddies” who can’t run for physical or developmental reasons. It serves as a support for the buddy and their family, and it’s an inspiration for the runner. It also fosters great and meaningful friendships.
I was matched with my buddy Ryan in the spring of 2015. Ryan has many physical and developmental challenges that keep him from being able to run. It has been a pleasure to communicate with him and to support him with the miles that I run.
Since June 2014, I have done over 700 workouts, run over 300 maps, and logged over 2,500 miles.
Thank you, iFit, for supporting and enabling me to continue on my fitness journey and for helping me support someone who can’t run.
WARNING: This post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFit assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.
We’ve reached the final stretch in iFIT’s Finish Strong journey, a three-month commitment to staying active, motivated, and focused through the end of the year. You’ve built your consistency, and now it’s time for the grand finale: the Dash to the Finish Challenge.This month is all about pushing to the finish line while celebrating how far you’ve come. Embrace the season, whether you’re walking through the holiday markets in Germany or feeling the Jingle Bell Burn in the iFIT Studio.It’s time to finish strong!Complete the workouts from your selected Challenge level by December 31, 2025 and you’ll earn this digital reward for your Trophy Case. Here are this month’s Challenges:Treadmill and elliptical workoutsWalking and Running: Finish strong this month with walks and runs! You’ll explore the famous holiday markets in Germany with Casey Gilbert, complete holiday-themed walks and runs in the iFIT Studio with Ashley Paulson, John Peel, Richard Biglia, Jesse Corbin, Pearl Fu, and Jonnie Gale, walk across a glacier in Argentina with John Peel, and wrap things up in Nepal with Ang Tshering Lama.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: Walk & RunCycling WorkoutsCycling: Cycle to the finish line this month! iFIT Trainer John Wessling will lead you through an interval ride and an endurance ride alongside a dog sled team in Alaska. Then, you’ll head to Colorado with iFIT Trainer Keith Gabel to explore the Devil’s Thumb Resort. Finally, iFIT Trainer Ashley McIvor will join you in Norway for a HIIT ride and strength ride that is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: CyclingRower WorkoutsRowing: iFIT Trainers Alex Gregory and Susan Francia will take you on an epic adventure this month! Join Alex in Wales for endurance and speed rowing workouts, then head to Canada for quick but effective training with Susan, focused on HIIT, power, and endurance.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: RowingStrength workoutsStrength: Build strength in the iFIT Studio and in Iceland this month! Catch the incredible dynamic duos of Hannah Eden and Paulo Barreto, John Peel and Ashley Paulson, and Hannah and Ashley, and a solo workout with Shannon Cooper for fun, holiday-themed workouts. iFIT Trainer Jonnie Gale will round things out with two strength-focused workouts in the stunning backdrop of Iceland.Join the Dash to the Finish Challenge: StrengthDisclaimer: The primary purpose of this blog post is to inform and entertain. Nothing on the post constitutes or is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided on the blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and please consult your doctor or other health care provider before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information available on this blog. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
December 1, 2025