6 THINGS I LEARNED DURING MY 6-WEEK ‘BEFORE AND AFTER’ CHALLENGE

6 THINGS I LEARNED DURING MY 6-WEEK ‘BEFORE AND AFTER’ CHALLENGE WITH THE VERSE AGILE RACK
By Lola Wusu, Verse™ Creative Director

What started as a 6-week challenge to transform my before body into an after body turned into a complete lifestyle change centered around strength training.

Why I Accepted the Challenge

1. I was out of shape and struggling to stay motivated. As the Creative Director of Verse,  I wanted to thoroughly survey the many thoughtfully curated design details, which I hadn’t yet done firsthand.

2. Also, with most of our team being remote, I spend a lot of time sitting at my computer throughout the day which hasn’t helped with my overall fitness health. 

3. Lastly, I wanted to learn how to surf and escape the ocean with little to no injuries. I figured that gaining some strength with the peer pressure of work and social media is probably exactly what I need to take my fitness seriously.   

A Little About Me

Most people know me for my background in fashion design, styling, retail, and manufacturing. I’m environmentally conscious and particular about my clothes—either they had to go, or my extra weight had to go.

I grew up as a serious athlete and played volleyball in college. While I still find time for adult dodgeball, beach flag football, and volleyball, I felt that my performance lacked the power of someone who trains regularly and would find myself insured more oftenthan not. Though I had been consistent with Pilates for almost two years, I still considered myself a beginner as there were very few exercises I could hold for the full duration. 

The Challenge 

Knowing I was struggling with internal motivation, I teamed up with trainer Extraordinaire Stefan E. Williams. He helped me improve and combat the bad habits I developed from my earlier days of lifting. 

Watch me and Stefan here

One reason I stopped lifting was the boredom of showing up at the same place to do the same things. What I love most about the Rack is that I could meet my trainer in the gym, at a yoga fountain, on my balcony, in the living room—wherever was convenient for us.

Using the Rack Daily

All those design decisions made early on by the brilliant minds behind the product were thoughtfully executed! From the numbered positions for the adjustable hooks, to the way it seamlessly breaks down with the bright orange knobs—the satisfying clicks became something I looked forward to.

I planned to put the rack under my couch as I have a tiny apartment. But unfortunately, the rack was under a quarter inch too tall. Regardless, it worked out well being stored behind the couch. When I wanted to bring my equipment outside, I would just pack this wagon, with this barbell, these weights, these clamps, and of course the Verse Agile Rack.

Diet

While building muscle was great, a big part of my goal was losing a few inches off my waist. Given my busy, Zoom meeting-heavy lifestyle, Stefan and I concluded that intermittent fasting would be best. I loved this because it took a lot of the thought and time out of meal prep. There are a lot of details to share about this part of my challenge which I will save for a future blog, so stay tuned!

Goals Reached

1. I can surf!  I was worried about having the balance and stamina to pop up on water. While strength training isn’t necessary to be a surfer, it definitely helped my performance. 

   

2. I can fit into almost every pair of pants I own.  (There are two jacquard trousers from the 2011 and 2013 JCrew collections that have absolutely no stretch.)  Turns out, how my body functions became more important to me than fitting into old pants. So, I decided to alter the two trousers, as well as my mindset on what my ideal body looks like. 

3. My Pilates performance is top-tier.  The Lagree Pilates instructors often call out my strength and give me props for my endurance and form. Strength training with the Verse Agile Rack and Pilates have a symbiotic relationship. 

4. I can finally do a deep squat without burdening my joints.
5. I can bench press more than just the bar.
6. I need to purchase more weights  if I aspire to max out my deadlift.

What I Learned

1. Drink more water than you think you need:  A necessary overheard reminder. Even if it’s just one more cup or bottle, it’s crucial for overall mood, performance, and endurance.

2. Performance over weight loss: Fitness performance goals are more gratifying than weight loss goals: I love discovering what my body can do more than finding out what I can fit into. Fat loss is a lovely byproduct but no longer the goal.  

3. Buy more workout gear:  Laundry should never be an excuse not to get in even a 10-minute sweat.  As a recovering shopaholic, I had to make sure I purchased sets that were “basic” and easily interchangeable so I wouldn’t get tired of wearing a specific print. These Amazon finds came in bulk and limited my wash days to once a week:

PRO TIP: Lay flat to dry after workouts between wash days to avoid sweat mold and unwanted odors. Use cold water on anything with spandex and dry on low heat.

4. Working on yourself has a communal effect:  With every post or update, I couldn’t help but inspire colleagues, friends, family, and strangers. I received text messages and phone calls from people inspired to work out, try strength training, or even just go on a walk.  When you improve, it improves your community just out of proximity—an unintentional yet extremely beautiful byproduct.  

5. The Verse Agile Rack is a showstopper:  It’s hard to believe this hasn’t been done before! When you take it outside, expect curious conversations about how something so portable can hold so much weight. The convenience of being able to squat anywhere turns a typically indoor activity into an outdoor one.

6. Once you see results, it’s hard to stop:  Using such a well-designed piece of equipment has kept me motivated throughout my fitness journey and inspired me to keep pushing forward. Four months in, I'm proud not only of my own progress but also of being part of a team that's making fitness more accessible and enjoyable. This is just the beginning!