Member Spotlight | Age Is Just A Number

Member Spotlight | Age Is Just A Number

by | Sep 25, 2017 | All, Community, Fitness, Home, Member Stories

“Physical health and mental health are very much combined […] set[ting] a goal and [going] for it is so beneficial for your total health.”

Barb M.

LAF Member

Has age ever made you feel like there are limitations to what you can do? If so, meet Barb M. of Centerville, OH. Barb is 66 years old. She also recently completed a half marathon. Age is simply a number to her.

The Challenge

What may surprise you about Barb is the fact that she was never much of a runner. She completed her first half marathon at 62 years old, and the story of how she got to that point is just as extraordinary. Barb made a career for herself as a behavioral health nurse. It was about four years ago now when a doctor she worked with, who was a runner, challenged Barb to train for a half marathon. And just like that, Barb set a goal to run her first half marathon at 62. After all, Barb is not the type of woman to back down from a challenge.

However, training to run a half marathon was no easy feat. Barb knew she would have to set baby goals along the way. She started off by walking 15 minutes a day – sounds pretty easy, right? Well, that first 15 minutes soon turned into 30, and her walking then turned into running. By the end of 6 months Barb was running 13 miles at least once every week. On her “off days” Barb would run anywhere between two to eight miles. Her determination to achieve her desired goal helped push her to continue training.

The Moment of Truth

Then, in April of 2013, it was the moment of truth. The Ohio River Runners Half Marathon was upon her, and Barb had no problem completing the half marathon in 3 hours. With that accomplishment under her belt and her continued commitment to fitness, Barb M. was awarded the 13th annual Silver Sneakers /Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award three months later. However, having a half marathon under her belt and receiving the Richard L. Swanson Inspiration Award didn’t stop Barb from continuing on with her fitness journey.

The Future & LA Fitness

Barb M. joined LA Fitness in April 2017 after retiring from her day job, and she began working out with Pro Results® trainer Jimmy T. She shared that Jimmy helps teach her what each machine will do to help her continue to get stronger. Her goals now are to improve her core stability as she ages and “perfect [these] goals with LA Fitness.” Barb M. strongly believes that “physical health and mental health are very much combined […] set[ting] a goal and [going] for it is so beneficial for your total health.”

If you’re ready to make a change, and set a goal like Barb M., share it with us here! Ready to take your fitness to the next level, schedule an appointment with a Pro Results® trainer today.

Consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Pro Results® Personal Training requires a separate agreement and is subject to an additional fee.

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Commit to Fit | Member Spotlights

Commit to Fit | Member Spotlights

by | Sep 18, 2017 | All, Commit Goals, Community, Fitness, Home

Commit to Fit

Do you have a fitness goal? Let us know here! To learn more about Commit to fit, click here.

Goals, Commitments, Community

Commit to Fit is designed to help members stick to their fitness goals. In fact, studies show, those who write down their goals accomplish significantly more than those who do not write their goals.* Share yours with us today in the Commit to Fit form below!** You may even be featured in a future Commit to Fit post. Shown below, are some of our most recent members who have committed to their fitness goals.

Joshua G.

Joshua G. wants to strengthen his legs after an ACL injury, while staying healthy overall. We’re glad to see you getting stronger Josh, keep up the good work!

Jerry Lamont M., Jack J., and Keith L.

Jerry Lamont M. hopes to someday play in the NBA and he certainly has the drive to! His friends, and fellow basketball players, Jack J. and Keith L. would like to lower their body fat percentages. Keep active guys & never lose the fun of the game!

Stephanie Q.

Stephanie is currently working towards on her overall fitness, health and well-being. We believe in you Stephanie, keep going strong!

Sokem M.

Sokem M. wants to lose weight, and the gym is a great place to start – we believe in you!

Adarryll T.

Adarryll T. wants to bring his weight from 260 to 245 lbs. It’s great to have specific goals, Adarryll! Keep up the hard work and don’t lose focus. You’ve got this!

John A.

John A. would like to lose weight – a popular fitness goal! We are proud of you John for committing time at the gym to work towards your fitness goal.

*Goals Research Summary conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews of the Dominican University of California, statistics retrieved, September 9, 2016.

**Selected submissions will be featured on the LA Fitness blog and possibly other LA Fitness digital media entities & websites. By making a submission, you hereby grant LA Fitness a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable license to use and make copies of the contents of such submission for any purpose and in any medium whatsoever, and you hereby waive and relinquish any copyright or other intellectual property right you may have in the contents of such submission and your right to pursue any claim for LA Fitness’s violation of those intellectual property rights   

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ASK A TRAINER: Ep. 7 – Should I Always Alternate Between Leg Day and Chest Day?

ASK A TRAINER: Ep. 7 – Should I Always Alternate Between Leg Day and Chest Day?

by | Sep 15, 2017 | All, Ask A Trainer, Community, Exercises, Fitness, Home, Workouts

Ask A Trainer: Featured Question of the Week

LA Fitness Pro Results® Master Trainer, Geoff F., helps answer if it’s necessary to switch between leg day and chest day. See Geoff’s suggestions in the video below.

Do you have a fitness question? Ask one of our certified Pro Results® trainers here! Your question may be featured in an upcoming Ask Our Trainer video.**

4 + 5 =

**Selected submissions will be featured on the LA Fitness blog and possibly other LA Fitness digital media entities & websites. By making a submission, you hereby grant LA Fitness a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable license to use and make copies of the contents of such submission for any purpose and in any medium whatsoever, and you hereby waive and relinquish any copyright or other intellectual property right you may have in the contents of such submission and your right to pursue any claim for LA Fitness’s violation of those intellectual property rights.

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Member Spotlight | Face Your Fears

Member Spotlight | Face Your Fears

by | Sep 11, 2017 | All, Community, Fitness, Home, Member Stories

“I decided that I was going to treat the gym as my job.”

Lynnette R.

LAF Member

Lynnette R., of Round Rock, TX, shared that she was the last person you would ever expect in a gym. She tried having gym memberships in the past, would pay for a year in advance, go once, and then never show up again. Because of this, she even “grounded” herself from getting another gym membership, because she couldn’t seem to make herself go.

Flash back to two years ago, when Lynnette completely stopped exercising all together, stopping even her typical walks outside. Due to her sedentary lifestyle, Lynette began gaining weight. She became heavier than she had ever been and became incredibly discouraged. However, around this same time, an LA Fitness opened up close to her home and Lynnette noticed it had a nice pool. She figured she could try swimming as a new way to exercise. She signed up for a free guest pass, and set up an appointment for a complimentary Pro Results® Personal Training assessment.

She knew she was in a place in her life where she had to change her lifestyle. She just couldn’t seem to stop gaining weight. It was at that moment Lynnette decided that the commitment to work with a trainer would be the accountability she needed to make sure she showed up and made good use of the gym. She signed up and that is when she met her personal trainer, Riley S. What Riley didn’t know at the time was Lynnette’s severe fear of men that stemmed from experiences from her past. However, Lynnette hoped that by being in the gym and working with a male trainer, she could overcome some of that fear.

When Lynnette first started training in the open area of the gym, she would get nervous and experience trouble breathing – and as far as the free weight area, she thought of it as “incredibly intimidating.” She began to open up to Riley about the fear she was trying to overcome, and she was blown away at how he reacted to it, mainly because nothing changed. The workouts stayed the same and they would still use the free weight area. Her “homework” required her to go into the free weight area alone and train on her solo gym days. Slowly, Lynnette R. was becoming more comfortable in the gym.

“Pick a goal that is personal to you and throw yourself into achieving it.”

Lynnette R.

LAF Member

“I wasn’t fighting to just lose fat; I was fighting to gain a future.”

Lynnette R.

LAF Member

Her trainer, Riley, continued to be encouraging as Lynnette persisted onward, moving past each hurdle and facing her fears. During this transitional period of her life, she began dating again – something that would have been too hard for her to do only 4 months prior. Lynette also started to follow some new basic diet guidelines. Since changing her diet and exercise routine she has lost several inches, and is down 2 dress sizes and 17 lbs.! Lynnette shared with us that, “People notice all the changes. What they don’t know is the confidence I’ve received from Riley and that these workouts have allowed me to move past my fears. I now have a real chance at being able to spend the rest of my life with someone that I love.”

What Lynnette wants others to know:

“My plan in joining LA Fitness was to lose weight and lose some of my fear. I never expected that this would take me as far as it’s taken me. Riley isn’t just a paid trainer. He found a way to build a trust that allowed me to confide in him about this secret hope. Somehow, Riley helped me get past my fears, just by lifting weight and walking on a treadmill. I’m very excited about my future and the changes that are yet to come as I work very hard at the gym and keep my heart open.”

A Message from Riley 

“Since the first session with Lynnette, I had high expectations considering her work ethic and passion to become fit and healthy. She’s excelled in every challenge I’ve given her with a smile on her face. I’m very proud of the way Lynnette has taken on a “no excuses” attitude, claiming that the gym is akin to her second job. During every session with Lynnette there is a point where I always think she will need a spot or she will fail during a set but whenever she reaches that threshold she always amazes me by pushing through and getting another few reps in. I can tell how important this journey is for her and it only makes me work harder in order to witness more goals actualized.” – Riley S., LAF Pro Results® Trainer

Where is she now?

When Lynnette first started at LA Fitness she would attend the gym 3 times a week. She is now up to 5 days a week. She continues to train with Riley on two of those days. Once a week, a small group of Riley’s personal training clients meet for a one-hour full-body workout. Lynnette shared that, “It has been great for getting to know other people and pushing each other to work harder.”

Consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Pro Results® Personal Training requires a separate agreement and is subject to an additional fee.

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ASK A TRAINER: Ep. 6 – What Can I Do to Tone My Chest Better?

ASK A TRAINER: Ep. 6 – What Can I Do to Tone My Chest Better?

by | Sep 8, 2017 | All, Ask A Trainer, Community, Exercises, Fitness, Home, Workouts

Ask A Trainer: Featured Question of the Week

LA Fitness Pro Results® Master Trainer, Geoff F., shares some ways to help tone the chest area. What’s his advice? Push-ups. Push-ups and more push-ups! Check it out below.

Do you have a fitness question? Ask one of our certified Pro Results® trainers here! Your question may be featured in an upcoming Ask Our Trainer video.**

2 + 2 =

**Selected submissions will be featured on the LA Fitness blog and possibly other LA Fitness digital media entities & websites. By making a submission, you hereby grant LA Fitness a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, irrevocable license to use and make copies of the contents of such submission for any purpose and in any medium whatsoever, and you hereby waive and relinquish any copyright or other intellectual property right you may have in the contents of such submission and your right to pursue any claim for LA Fitness’s violation of those intellectual property rights.

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