It took two “incidents” to get me into Fitness Together. #1: My wife and I were looking at snorkeling pictures from our cruise when I called out… “Check out this shot of a Beluga whale. Oh, never mind.” Yeah…the big white floundering beast in the water was me! #2: In August, my wife walked up to her flabby out-of-shape husband and said, “I want you around for another 50 years. Go do what you gotta do what you gotta do to make that happen.” 24 hours later I was signed up at Fitness Together.

The first thing I had to do, of course, was choose a goal. After all, the slogan of FT is One Client, One Trainer, One Goal. I needed a motivating outcome to pursue. Something that would be all inclusive and drive me to consistent sessions, cardio work at home, and a completely new way of eating. The goal turned out to be related to my work. I’m a professional corporate humorist. I’m on stage in front of corporate audiences speaking every week. It’s a documented fact that better looking speakers get paid more. That’s a problem. As a 45-year old bald, paunchy white guy…um…I look more like a CPA than the guy who makes jokes about the CPA. So…my FT one goal was simply this: look good in a tight shirt.

Now, my training didn’t start out auspiciously. I think I shocked the trainer, Juliana, by only making it 15 minutes into my first workout session before literally collapsing. I saw her write something in my chart. I don’t know what it was but for the next few weeks all the trainers started me reeeeeeally sloooooowly with tiny little weights. Then…things began to change.

For the first month the biggest shift was actually my diet. I discovered I truly could eat healthy. It costs a little more (have you SEEN the prices at Whole Foods?) but it’s worth it. Since August 29th, no junk food has touched my lips. And I don’t miss it.

By month two my lazy dog Snickers discovered to her horror that it was possible for me to run 2-3 miles at a time with her in the morning. And by month three, I found out that all those sessions and cardio had caused me to drop 16 pounds!

Now…the workouts…I’ll be candid. I still call them “Torture Sessions.” I don’t actually look forward to coming to FT. It’s exceedingly hard work. My FT nickname is “Lunge Boy” for a reason. Breeze, Berlin, Trace (what were their parents thinking when they named them?), Karen and Amy squeeze out every molecule of effort and energy I posses. But that’s what I’m happily paying money for. Thanks to cool trainers, who I believe really care about me, I’m getting pushed to do things physically I would NEVER do on my own.

Daily life is different now. I seek the most healthy things I can find to eat. My daughters playfully walk by me, yell “Flex”, and then punch me in the stomach to test my abs. I take the stairs instead of escalators. And I enjoy compliments from co-workers who ask me, “Have you been working out?” Duh!

My wife believes I now will be around another 50 years. She’s happy. And at our house we believe in the old adage, “Happy wife, happy life.” Plus, she assures me that I do not at all resemble a Beluga whale anymore. I’m much closer to…a dolphin. As to the tight shirt goal…I’m getting there.

Brian Walter

Dear all at Fitness Together,

It’s now 6 months since I first came in, and several things have changed in that time.

• I have lost over 22lbs and three dress sizes, toned up and discovered muscles I didn’t even know I had (plus, the effects of having two 10lb babies on my stomach muscles are finally being reversed!).
• My aerobic fitness has improved dramatically – at 34 I’d never really given much thought to my heart, but I am delighted to discover that I’ve saved it 9 beats a minute (that’s 12960 a day – wow!) which should stand me in good stead to see the kids grow up.
• I’ve become a ‘competent exerciser’. Even though I used to make occasional attempts to go for a jog or do a few sit-ups, my exercise regime was sporadic and haphazard. Being given a plan that told me exactly what I needed to do in order to achieve my goal was empowering. I stuck to it because I felt I was accountable to the trainers as well as to myself, and now I eat sensibly out of habit, exercise because I get a kick out if it, and am loving the results!

I love the sessions with the trainers, and the variety of exercises and difference in training styles has kept things interesting. I’m branching out on my own more now, and am determined to build upon the fantastic start I’ve made. I can’t see me running marathons anytime this century, but I made it to 40 minutes running on the treadmill last week for the first time ever. If I can achieve all that in 6 months then who knows……

Thank you all!

Vanessa McNiven

I held a demanding job that required me to travel Monday to Friday every week. With the constant eating out, the long hours and the social drinking in the evenings, it wasn’t long before I gained weight. I hated how I looked, hated how I felt and everything stressed me out.

My husband had heard about Fitness Together and thought it might be a good match for me. No need to be embarrassed working out in front of anyone else. Fitness Together offered the opportunity to have someone keep tabs on me, ensuring my goal was always in mind, and that I would stick with the program. Now that was an idea worth considering.

So I went in for my first appointment and was impressed. I loved the set up -- very private, nice updated equipment, everything was well maintained, and Amy was kind and knowledgeable. No criticism, nothing to make me feel uncomfortable or insecure. Amy took my very difficult circumstances and gave me an action plan that helped me make better choices when traveling. We created a workout that I could use and adapt on the road. It was tough, but I really wanted to look and feel better. Amy was supportive the entire way through giving me attainable goals and constant feedback on my progress.

It’s now been just about a year from when I took that first step into Fitness Together, and I have lost a third of me. I went from 195 pounds to 132 pounds. I look great, feel great, and I couldn’t have done it without the constant support and help that Amy provided. Fitness Together has been a life saver. I recommend it to everyone and anyone, no matter what obstacles or challenges they face.

Marika McLean

Well, when you are done making excuses and ready for real change, Fitness Together is the place to go. I have faced some of the same weight loss and motivation issues for years, and working with Sheldon really helped me to see how lame my excuses were--not that he had to point them out because they became obvious as I worked with him. With patience, humor, and a great deal of knowledge, he was able to push me to work out harder than I thought I could. In the past excuses like “it’s hard on my knees” meant I could loaf through parts of aerobics classes, but with Sheldon it just meant he’d substitute some other exercise until he found one that worked and was safe for me, while still pushing me to work hard.

I was also incredibly impressed by his breadth of knowledge on all things related to fitness and nutrition, not to mention all that anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology--rarely did I ask a question that he didn’t have a ready answer for. Not that we spent all of my workouts talking “shop.” One of things I liked best about the personalized sessions is that chatting with Sheldon made the time pass quickly--and how many people can say that about workouts that involve some horrific amount of pushups (can’t tell you how many because the trainer does all the counting). But I can tell you this: it was always more than I thought I could do.

I recommend the personal training workouts at Fitness Together to anyone who is ready to make real changes.

Cheryl

I enthusiastically recommend the Fitness Together concept and my excellent fitness trainer.

After several frustrating experiences with local health club chains ( including inaccurate billings, unprofessional service, long waits to use fitness equipment, overcrowded classes, parking issues, and training injuries ), I chose to try the Fitness Together training concept.

I have found all staff members to be very courteous, very professional, and highly knowledgeable. There are no parking issues. Parking is free and abundant. Access to state of the art equipment is excellent, as appointments are scheduled. The premises are impeccably maintained, with many nurturing touches that make each visit a pleasure (water, fruit, hand towels, nice little hand creams and mouthwash etc. in the restrooms). Payment plans are transparent and straightforward. I have always been greeted with smiles and genuine interest, despite the fact that I often have a lot to talk about during my workouts! Support for my fitness endeavors has been terrific and the often needed little nudge or push is provided in a caring but firm manner.

My Fitness Together trainer has at all times provided an interesting, varied and challenging routine and brings a very nurturing yet firm quality to her excellent training. She always shows genuine interest and it is clear that she loves what she is doing.

I have not, as with past training experiences at other clubs, sustained any training injuries, since my trainer pays a great deal of attention to form and positioning and uses an intelligent and gradual approach to achieving progressive levels of fitness. She has carefully and attentively worked around initial training obstacles such as "bad knees" and an asthmatic condition to help me develop muscles that I had not used for quite a while.

My desire to reach peak effectiveness during workouts at Fitness Together and to make my trainer proud ( ! ) drove me to finally follow my asthma treatment regimen, with excellent results: I have recently documented my significantly increased lung function (from 450 several months ago to 680 on a peak flow meter), which is probably a result of both the cardio/fitness training and my improved adherence to my asthma treatment regimen.

I have also been provided with a number of excellent fitness and dietary tips which have made quite a difference in my life outside of the gym (I was not previously aware of how much of my day was spent in a state of mild dehydration. With the increased water intake - an easy remedy! - I simply feel much better).

Most importantly, I greatly look forward to my twice weekly training sessions and leave on most days feeling invigorated, confident and mentally sharp.

I have also added a beginner's jogging routine to my fitness plan and have received wonderful support from my trainer and Fitness Together club owner, Amy. Thank you for your gentle and humor-filled nudges and encouragement during those occasional "lazy" days!

I am very excited to be on my way, with your help, to greater fitness levels!
Thank you!

Respectfully,
V. Collymore, MD

I was driving to work one day and heard Lisa from 92.5 talking about working out with a gal named Amy, a personal trainer from Fitness Together. Lisa said that she had never liked working out and Mitch asked her what she liked about Fitness Together. She said that Fitness Together had one room and one trainer and it was very private. I was almost to my destination and liked what I was hearing about this fitness program. I scrambled to get a pen and write down the number that Lisa was giving out to her audience. I worked that day and kept thinking things like “could I afford my own personal trainer?” and did I have the time to do it. I liked the idea of not having to work out in a gym with other people, which I had done before and not very successfully. I still remembered the people dropping their weights around me. I also remember how they stayed the same size and seemed not to know who to advance in their workouts. The personal trainers at this club seemed bored and only interested in signing people up for new memberships.

I called Amy the next day and was immediately impressed with how friendly and easy she was to talk to. I am a nurse and Amy told me that nurses did not take car of themselves because they are always taking care of other people. I laughed when she said that, but knew in my heart how right she was. I am 63 years old and I knew that I did not want to get injured lifting weights the wrong way. I guess I forgot to tell you that in the last club I joined I had lifted the weight wrong and developed tendonitis.

I made an appointment to meet with Amy and committed to begin working out with her. Amy and I have talked about the fact that you can’t put a price on your health. If you ask me if it is expensive to workout at Fitness Together, I would have to say that it is quite reasonable compared to what it would cost you to spend several days or months in a hospital being treated for high blood pressure or heart disease. I see this in many of the patients that are being treated in the hospital. This is a lot more fun and I’ve made a wonderful friend along the way. Her name is Amy and she is interested in my progression and is dedicated to making sure that I lift those weights the right way.

I don’t think I have had a day that I regretted making this decision to get healthier and stronger. This year I bought a stereo for my husband for Christmas. I was able to carry it across the mall and I was proud of that. I was the women who had trouble carrying her grocery bags into her house from the car. I still remember Amy telling me that it would take some time for me to get stronger and it is exciting to see that happening.

I hope if you are reading this letter that you will seriously commit to joining Fitness Together. You will be glad that you did.

Sincerely,
Barbara Slosson

Dear Fitness Together,

While I am still far from my ultimate fitness goals (my own issues), I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation to you for the progress I have made.

My overall health has improved ten-fold. My muscle tone and stamina have increased substantially. To top it all off, an unexpected benefit is the added distance to golf game! My drives have increased by nearly 40 yards! The combination of added strength, and I believe even more importantly, the core strength and balance, have afforded me that improvement. For that alone, I am so grateful for having found Fitness Together. Actually, you found me at last year’s EWGA Kick Off Brunch.

For your ever present smiles and encouragement, for your patience and never waning desire to see me succeed… Thank you

Most Sincerely,

Sue Medjo

I had dreamed for many years of someday having a personal trainer show me how to exercise properly for safe, effective results. I didn't have a clue how to get started on a fitness regime. When I heard about Fitness Together on the radio, I thought that it might be just the thing I was looking for. I went and checked it out, met with the owner, Amy, and found that she was very willing to work with me to help me reach my goals in a way that made me feel comfortable.

I'll admit I was afraid before my first workout because I was a consummate weakling! But Amy made me feel great, instilled confidence in me, and inspired me to do my best. I'm not kidding; I actually looked forward to my workout sessions! It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and I learned proper form and technique. Soon I was seeing muscles that I had never noticed before! I was so excited!

Amy's sense of humor and thorough knowledge of fitness training make it a joy to come and work out, and I gained not only muscle tone, but a huge sense of accomplishment and confidence.

When I first came to Fitness Together, a busy work schedule and family life had physically worn me down; I was literally sick, and the doctors couldn't find anything medically wrong with me. Within two weeks of working out at Fitness Together, and journaling in my Accountability Journal, I no longer had any symptoms of illness. What is more important than your health? It has to come first so that you can be all that you want to in the other areas of your life. I believe you will not regret trying Fitness Together! It has been a HUGE blessing in my life, and I recommend it to everyone that I know, no matter what their age or lifestyle.

Miriam Kroschel
CPA & Mom

At Fitness Together, I became accountable for myself and Amy helped me schedule my personal work-out appointments with her to fit into my hectic schedule. She talks me through every workout and changes things up so that I'm not doing the same repetitive thing each time. She makes sure I am doing it correctly so I am getting the most out of my workout. And the best part is she is there the entire time and we LAUGH! I actually laugh during my workouts! Amy makes it fun to look and feel great.

Since starting at Fitness Together, my body has become stronger and my confidence has soared - in fact, no longer a size 14, I am a size 10 doing things I never thought I would do! My new found confidence and energy has led me to actually try skydiving and salsa dancing! For me, exercise used to be boring and easy to "blow off" - with Amy at Fitness Together I am having a great time and never EVER look for excuses to miss my appointments with her! Thanks Amy - when I get compliments now on how great I look, I say "Body By Amy"!

Lisa Foster
The Mitch & Lisa Show
The New MIX 92.5

Allow me to introduce myself…actually to re-introduce myself. When I first walked thru your doors I was in entirely different person. I was afraid of what I would find. I had absolutely no idea that I'd find a new me. I was afraid you'd be judgmental because I was totally unathletic, perhaps you'd laugh because I was uncoordinated, or treat me roughly even though I was a beginner. I was afraid it would be painful, wouldn't fit into my schedule, or that like so many times before I would let myself down and not make good on my commitment. To my pleasant surprise you were kind, you were funny, and you were supportive. To my much greater surprise, I found that I loved it. I always thought I hated exercise! You pushed me just enough to get results. I found definition in muscles I had never seen before. And it was easy. Not the no sweat kind of easy, but it wasn't grueling. It wasn't painful either. It was enjoyable. I found myself looking forward to our session, and being bummed out if life got in the way and I had to cancel one. I found myself eating better. I wanted to eat food that would enhance what we were working out in my body. And I do mean we. I realized within the first month, hat although I had always thought I could do it alone…always starting next Monday…or next month…I could not have done it alone. There is magic in knowing that you are doing every rep exactly right. Even when a certain set is hard you have confidence to keep going because you know you are doing it correctly. And I simply cannot state how helpful it is to have someone there who is friendly and helpful to talk you through the movement, count you thru the reps. Or just to chat with while you workout. My experience at Fitness Together has been life changing and I will never change back! Maybe there's a marathon in my future after all. Thank you Amy! You're the Best!

Carri Winney