Bike and Ski Goals: Closing the Gap

Ask around and you’ll hear a debate: which is tougher? The ski, with its technical pull? Or the bike, where your lungs and legs light up at the same time? The truth is, neither one ever feels easy—you just get stronger.

If you’ve ever done a Uniti workout, you know our sprints on the ski and the bike are a signature part of class. Those 30–90 second bursts are about pushing hard, finding that next gear, and spiking your heart rate.

A few years ago, we introduced sprint goals. No more “just move for 60 seconds.” Now, you’ve got a number to chase. Since then, we’ve seen people dig deeper than ever. There’s something about dropping the handles a second before the coach yells “time” that feels like a win. Or secretly racing the person next to you—even when it’s not a race. Goals bring out fire. They give your effort a purpose.

But here’s the key: goals aren’t designed to be comfortable. If everyone hit them every time, they wouldn’t do their job. They’re meant to stretch you—to give only a handful of athletes something to reach. The real win isn’t about hitting the target every class—it’s about narrowing the gap.

And we get it—it can feel defeating to see a goal and never hit it. But this is where mindset matters. You can choose to see the gap as proof you’ll never make it… or you can choose to see it as a tool to make you better. Think about the 100m Olympic sprint. Only three athletes make the podium. Does that take away from the effort of all the others who trained just as hard? Do you think they show up on race day saying, “I won’t win, so why try?” Of course not. They show up to run their fastest, to close the gap, to get as close to first as possible. That’s how improvement happens.

Maybe today you’re 100m away. A few months later, that gap shrinks to 75m. Then 50m. That’s progress. That’s massive. And you only close that gap by showing up and working with intent, even when you know you might not “make it.” Because chasing the goal is where growth happens.

The process builds your engine. It builds grit. It teaches your body to keep moving when your mind says stop. Whether you hit the goal or chip away at the distance, the result is the same: you’re getting faster, stronger, tougher.

So next time you hop on the bike or ski, check the goal. Notice your mindset. Will you coast—or will you lean in and give it everything you’ve got? Closing the gap by even 25m isn’t small—it’s proof that you’re stronger, faster, and more resilient than you were last time.

Progress doesn’t always show up in a few weeks. Sometimes it takes months of steady effort. But if you keep showing up and keep pushing, the work will reveal itself. Every meter matters. Every effort counts. That’s how progress is built.

Be proud of the work you put in. Keep pushing. Because the gap isn’t a setback—it’s the place where you get better.