Nike Trainer Joe Holder: ‘you Don’t Need A Traditional Gym To Get A Great Workout’

Nike Global Trainer Joe Holder partnered with Vita Coco to turn Brooklyn’s Domino Park into the Concrete Jungle Gym, blending high-intensity workouts, recovery and hydration

Nike Global Trainer and Performance Coach Joe Holder, who has worked with celebrities like Bella Hadid and Naomi Campbell, teamed up with Vita Coco to show New Yorkers that fitness comes in many forms.

Last month, Domino Park in Williamsburg transformed into the Concrete Jungle Gym, a day of high-intensity training, recovery, and hydration.

For Holder, the inspiration behind the Concrete Jungle Gym was rooted in redefining what fitness looks like.

“The Concrete Jungle Gym is about breaking down the idea that you need a traditional gym to get a great workout; the city itself can be your training ground,” he told Athletech News. “Domino Park is the perfect backdrop because it represents energy, culture, and connection.”

The immersive experience featured classes throughout the day, each blending tough movement with intentional recovery. Participants also got a first-hand look at how coconut water can enhance performance.

“There’s a lot of research on the benefits of coconut water as (an) effective sports drink, often helping increase the time it takes to get to exhaustion,” Holder said. “It also has naturally occurring electrolytes, assisting with hydration. But it really is a multipurpose tool and drink that can be included in various ways.”

“During my hard workouts in the gym or the track, it is a go-to in my smoothies as the liquid base,” he added.

When it comes to recovery, Holder stressed that hydration is only one piece of the puzzle.

“It is not just drinking things like water, coconut water, and fresh-squeezed juices, but also comes from consuming water-rich fruits and vegetables,” he explained. “Additionally, you need to make sure you eat an overall well-rounded diet. Active recovery (stretching, meditation/mindfulness and low-intensity workouts) is part of training and just as important as the tough workouts. Don’t overlook it.”

With years of experience training both elite and everyday athletes, Holder was quick to emphasize that the same universal principles apply to everyone: “Start slow, have a plan, and have a good balance of strength training, cardio, and mobility. And what you do outside of the gym actually matters more than what you do in it. So focus on building an overall lifestyle, not just workouts.”

Holder also views the Concrete Jungle Gym as a model for how fitness experiences can evolve and increase access to healthy practices.

The turnout underscored the event’s resonance with the community. Across the weekend, 347 people signed up for the Impulse class sessions and 352 joined the Impulse Dead Hang Challenge. Security clicker counts showed 1,658 visitors on Saturday and 1,843 on Sunday, while LiveGauge estimated roughly 9,500 people passed through or engaged with the footprint over the two days.

“I think we take it on the road and figure out as well how to get underserved communities access, helping build bridges around health, wellness, hydration and culture,” he said. “For me, this is the great equalizer we all need. And it gives people the tools they can use once they leave these experiences. It is true physical education, and I’m glad to be partnering with a brand like Vita Coco to bring these events to life.”

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