Every year, Concept 2 launches a Fall Team Rowing Challenge from September 15th through October 15th, and the goal is to create a team and collectively row as many meters as possible against hundreds of other teams worldwide (view Concept 2’s Challenges). Team Henrico has been conquering since their first 1st Place Corporate Division finishes in 2019 and then again in 2020. After a loss in 2021 and taking a year off in 2022, Team Henrico rejoined this year with a fresh new outlook.
Team Captain and Public Safety Fitness Trainer Joshua Gaskins began to recruit employees in a new way. He enlisted participation from the Division of Fire’s (DOF) 80th Recruit Academy, Henrico Police Division’s 78th and 79th Basic Recruit Academies, the Sheriff’s Office 66th Recruit Academy, the Public Safety Tactical Strength & Conditioning Class, the Fire Training Tower Fitness Class, the Fit Plus exercise group, and Senior Fitness Trainer Joey Pacelli’s Foundations class, to the many already individually registered employees from all public safety divisions and general government. Throughout the competition, participants completed Joshua’s uniquely designed rowing workouts to enhance adherence and enjoyment and increase the meters rowed.
After much diligence, Team Henrico completed a total of 4,164,729 meters and achieved 1st place in the Corporate Division for the 3rd time! They also placed 7th overall worldwide, excluding the virtual teams competition (view results here)! The DOF 80th Recruit Academy led the team with 759,962 meters, and Deputy Fire Chief Douglas Clevert achieved a new all-time individual participant record with 501,409 meters.
Team Henrico celebrated with a pizza party hosted at the Woodman Road Fire Training Facility, where Joshua Gaskins gave kudos and well-earned calories to the team members (the number of calories burned rowing 4 million meters equals 109 large pepperoni pizzas). An achievement award was given by the Human Resources (HR) Department and can be seen above the check-in computer at the Henrico Training Center gym.
For 2024, Team Henrico is ready to strive for 1st place worldwide, but not without the help of more avid Henrico County employees. Although Joshua and the Fitness and Wellness Division of HR are still working on a game plan for 2024, their vision includes teams from each department that could designate at least once per week to utilize a Concept 2 Rower to add additional meters to the team total.
Go Team Henrico! “We Don’t Quit.”
Embarking on a journey towards better nutrition isn’t just about temporary diets; it’s about embracing long-lasting changes that fuel our bodies and minds. The monthly Healthy Eating Lunch and Learn series is a testament to this philosophy. These sessions provide a platform for participants to delve into the realm of sustainable behavior changes surrounding nutrition. 
Congratulations to Station 6 B-Shift FF Zachary Sayles and Lt. Nathan Beahm for successfully defending their 2022 title and to the Division of Fire for claiming the Fittest Public Safety Division of the Year title for the fifth time! Their names have been added to the Public Safety Games “Fittest Public Safety Division” plaque inside the lobby of the Henrico Training Center.
