ErgFit

Pinnacle Strength / ErgFit community—

This is one of the hardest letters I’ve ever had to write — but it’s also one I’m writing with clarity, pride, and excitement for what lies ahead. For 27 years, coaching has been a defining part of my life — from the early days of learning and growing as a coach to building communities that shaped who I’ve become along the way. What we’ve built here over the last 16 years — through Pinnacle Strength, CrossFit New Bedford, and ErgFit — has never been just a gym. It’s been a constant in my life, a place of effort, accountability, and a community that shows up for each other day after day. And now it’s time for the next chapter.

After a lot of reflection, I’ve made the decision to sell the gym and step away from day-to-day coaching. This marks my retirement from full-time coaching after 27 years. It’s not a decision I rushed into — but it is the right one for me and for the long-term future of this community.

I started coaching because I loved helping people push themselves and discover what they were capable of. What I didn’t fully realize at the time was how meaningful the relationships would become. The friendships built inside these walls, the trust earned through hard work, and the shared experience of showing up day after day came to matter just as much as the training itself. Those relationships have been invaluable — and they’re a big reason I stayed in this for as long as I did.

Over the last 27 years, I’ve worked with thousands of people at every stage of life. I’ve coached beginners walking in for the first time, athletes chasing bigger goals, parents carving out time for themselves, and members who simply needed a place that felt steady and positive. The impact was never just physical. What mattered most was the trust built over time, the daily accountability, and the way this community became a constant in so many lives — including my own.

This community deserves full energy, and it’s time to pass that responsibility on. Over the last few years, my life has changed in significant ways. I’ve stepped into new roles as a commercial real estate owner and as the owner of two bar and restaurant locations, and those responsibilities carry real weight. As I approach 50, I’ve become more aware of the importance of protecting my physical and mental health and building a version of this next chapter that is sustainable long-term. In order to continue making the right decisions for myself, my family, and the businesses I’m responsible for, stepping away from day-to-day coaching is the honest and necessary move.

The gym is being handed over to two people I trust deeply — Chris DeAraujo and Sonia DeAraujo. Many of you already know Chris from his time coaching here, and both Chris and Sonia understand this community because they’ve been part of what makes it special. They know the standards, the culture, and the responsibility that comes with leading a place like this. Together, they care about this gym for the same reasons I always have: the people, the work, and doing things the right way.

What stays the same is the foundation of what you show up for every day. ErgFit and Pinnacle Strength programming will continue with the same structure, intent, and standards you’re used to. I’ll remain involved on the programming side, helping ensure the training stays consistent and aligned with what this community expects, while also continuing to grow the ErgFit brand in new ways moving forward.

What will change is my role on the floor. I’ll be stepping away from day-to-day coaching and daily operations. I won’t be present in the same capacity moving forward, but this transition allows the gym to continue with full energy under Chris and Sonia’s leadership while I support things behind the scenes to help ensure a smooth transition.

I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has been part of this community over the years. Whether you were here for a season or for decades, you helped shape what this place became. You showed up, supported each other, put in the work, and turned this into something far bigger than a workout space. I’ve learned just as much from all of you as I ever taught — and that’s something I’ll carry with me long after this chapter closes.

I step away with pride, confidence, and a real sense of peace, knowing that what we built together will continue to move forward with care and purpose. Thank you for trusting me for 27 years. I’ll always be proud of this community — and everything it stands for.

With gratitude,
Brad Cardoza

Can’t take part today? Swing by and bring the cheers!

Still thinking about signing up? Do it now.

Sunday February 8th
22K Challenge benefiting Mission 22
Go solo or form a team — all proceeds donated.

Registration link in bio. Let’s fill both heats.

SUNDAY!!! 🔥

If you haven’t registered yet — you’ve still got time.

Fly solo or grab a crew and take on the 22K Challenge for Mission 22.

🏁 2 Heats: 8AM + 10AM
👥 1–4 person teams
📍 ErgFit — New Bedford

Registration link is in the ErgFit bio. Let’s pack the room and row for something that matters.

This one is bigger than fitness.

Every day, 22 veterans lose their lives to su***de. That number is real, and it’s unacceptable. This event is our way of showing up — to raise awareness and support Mission 22, an organization fighting for veterans and their families.

THE CHALLENGE
• Teams of 1–4
• Pick your machine:
 – Row or Ski: 22,000 meters
 – Bike: 44,000 meters
• Two heat options available

This is meant to be hard. Not for the sake of suffering — but because showing up for something meaningful should cost effort. We do it together, side by side, for those who’ve carried far more.

👉 Sign-up link is in the ErgFit Instagram bio
Build a team, choose your heat, and join us.

This challenge matters.

Every day, 22 veterans die by su***de. This workout exists to bring awareness to that reality and to raise money for Mission 22, supporting their work with veterans and their families.

HOW IT WORKS
• Teams of 1–4 people
• Choose your machine:
 – Row or Ski: 22,000 meters
 – Bike: 44,000 meters
• Two heats to choose from

This will be uncomfortable, and that’s intentional. We show up, work hard, and do it together for something bigger than the workout itself.

👉 Registration link is in the ErgFit Instagram bio
Grab a team, pick a heat, and get signed up.

Join the Concept2 January Revolutions Challenge to kick-start your year! This is a great way to commit (or re-commit) to a year of fitness. The January Revolutions Challenge is recommended for everyone. You choose which goal motivates you. The challenge runs from January 1–31. Whether you have a RowErg, SkiErg or BikeErg, we hope you’ll join us in starting 2026 with a bang!

The Details

You can either row, ski or ride for time, Calories, or consistency! Choose your goal from the Challenges page in you Concept2 logbook.

RowErg, SkiErg or BikeErg workouts only (no on water/on snow/on road meters, please). You can combine workouts from each machine. Note: BikeErg meters count as half when applied to the challenge.
This is an individual challenge. (You do not need to belong to a team to participate.)

Rowing isn’t just conditioning.
It’s loaded movement repeated at scale.

The legs drive like a squat.
The hips transfer power like a deadlift or clean.
The core braces to move force efficiently.
The upper back and grip finish every rep.

One stroke trains the whole system.
Thousands of strokes build it.

Yes, calories get burned.
But what you’re really training is strength, posture, and output under fatigue.

Rowing develops an engine without compromising strength.
It’s low impact, joint-friendly, and brutally honest work.

That’s why rowing sits at the center of ErgFit —
one movement that builds strength, capacity, and long-term durability.

👉 If you want training that actually carries over to real life and lasts, message us today.

NO-EXPIRATION punch cards are here for the holiday season! Whether you want to try your first class or keep the flexibility to drop in whenever you’d like, now is the time to grab one. Message us today

Holiday Challenge 2025
November 27–December 24
Row, ski or ride 100k or 200k meters between American Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and help raise money for one of four great charities.

The Details
Row, ski and/or ride 100,000 meters or 200,000 meters from November 27 to 11:59 p.m. December 24.
Concept2 RowErg, SkiErg and BikeErg meters only(no on water/on snow meters please). You can combine meters from each machine to reach the challenge goal. Note: BikeErg meters are counted as half when applied to the challenge. Learn more about BikeErg meters below in How To Participate.

If you’re looking for help in recording your meters, ErgZone is a good option for iPhone and Android users.
Support great causes with your meters! Read about this year’s charities below.
This is an individual challenge. Teams are not used for this challenge.
Deadline for entering meters: 11:59 pm GMT (6:59 pm ET), January 4th.

Holiday Challenge Charities
There’s also a charitable giving aspect to the Holiday Challenge. Here’s how it works: For every person who rows, skis or rides 100k during the challenge, Concept2 will donate $.02 per kilometer (1000 meters) to your choice of this year’s charities. Once you get beyond 100k, we’ll donate $.04 per additional kilometer. In order for your meters to count, however, you must choose a charity from the front page of your Logbook (or select “Let Concept2 Choose” if you don’t have a preference). For kids and adaptive participants, the $.04 rate will take effect at 50k. Note: BikeErg meters count for half the distance when calculating your Holiday Challenge meters and any related donation.

The 2025 charities are:

Oxfam America
ValorFit
KEEN
Northern Forest Center

Get registered!

🇺🇸 Run • Ruck • Walk and stand with us in the fight to end Veteran su***de. Every step we take is for the 22 heroes we lose each day — and for the hope that tomorrow can be different. Join us for the Mission 22 5K on Nov 9, 2025 in Westport, MA. 🕤 Check-in: 9:30 AM | Start: 10:30 AM 💲 $40 registration — proceeds support Mission 22 👉 Register today: Link in bio👆 Together, we can honor their service and bring hope to those still fighting. 💙