THE WELLNESS & FITNESS CENTER'S BLOG

Member Joins Center after the Military to Start a New Fitness Journey.

September 22, 2023, 10:00 am - Categories: Exercise, Fitness, Wellness

VALLEY HEALTH: What was your life like before you discovered our center, and what challenges were you facing?

Manuel:

Challenge 1: Quality facility financially inaccessible

From 8th grade through my freshman year at University, I was an athlete (volleyball). I joined the military in my sophomore year of university. Therefore, I was accustomed to strenuous exercise; indoor and outdoor activities that required the ability to sustain an intense level of energy over extended periods of time. After being honorably discharged, I continued to maintain a membership at a gym local to wherever I was living at the time and maintained a doable workout schedule. Later I began searching for a facility with more floor space, newer equipment and a greater variety of equipment and activities.

Challenge 2: Progressive weight gain

In 2007, I changed employers, and my new position was more sedentary than my previous one. Moreover, the daily commute consumed the time I had available when I arrived home and could dedicate to an additional time-intensive activity. These factors contributed to a slow progressive weight gain.

Challenge 3: Time-management challenges and distaste for home workouts

The same year, I started a side business while working full-time. I experienced time-management challenges attempting to invest time establishing my company, taking online courses to strengthen my technical skills, and suffering through a long commute. It was extremely difficult to add and prioritize an exercise schedule that was inconsistently followed. My previous gym was open 24 hours at this time, but I was unsuccessful in adhering to late-night workouts. The alternative – home exercise – was an epic failure and an activity that did not hold my interest sufficiently to spend time tweaking until I found an agreeable middle.

VALLEY HEALTH: How has the atmosphere and environment of our fitness center impacted on your motivation and commitment to your fitness journey?

Manuel:

In 2010-ish I was able to obtain membership to the Center. The unexpected Godsend was the feeling of safety and comfort. The rehabilitative focus of the Center’s environment attracted members who seemed to be focused on getting/staying healthy, being fit, and/or overcoming limitations.

I attended spin classes, participated in a couple of premium activities, learned to swim. I made the acquaintance of a couple of members who regularly attended the same classes as myself. I began to engage with the Center front-desk staff and fitness specialists who monitored the numerous exercise niches plus the main floor.

There are/were a couple of staff members who I encountered often and who kept me motivated and committed. My growing fondness for these individuals; a wide range of exercise equipment and free weights to choose from; fun group activities together with the many amenities helped me stay committed to my fitness goals and overcome challenges I stumbled upon during this journey.

A couple of years later, I became a non-surgical patient enrolled in the VH Metabolic and Bariatric Program. As an established member of the Center, I was able to take advantage of the complimentary annual fitness evaluation and consultation sessions. Collaboratively, the trainer and I came up with a workout routine that supplemented and supported my invested effort to lose weight. Seeing tangible results, gradually meeting fitness milestones along with feeling healthier compelled me to persevere.

VALLEY HEALTH: Can you share a specific story of how our center has helped you achieve a goal or overcome a challenge?

Manuel:

Until the recent past, my health and wellness goals have been too focused on meeting some published metric. My frustration and disinterest towards exercising indoors has been 1. the lack of a structured and effective workout program with variations; 2. my experience with strength-building workouts was based on a military exercise regimen; 3. a bias towards cardio equipment, and machines that targeted muscle groups which were already more developed than others.

The most impactful and influential moment was when I purchased three (3) one (1) hour sessions with a Personal Trainer. The BEST investment ever! The positive changes in my self-esteem, confidence, and being at peace with my current level of fitness started with the three (3) training sessions I had in October/November 2021.

Working with a Personal Trainer around whom I felt safe and not self-conscious could have taken some time; however, I was blessed and spared the disappointments. My trainer’s encouragement and positive attitude; the grace and mercy he extends when I can’t make it to a session; the flexibility in contemporaneously adjusting workouts and his patience with my whining are greatly appreciated.

Our sessions are primarily planned for the Expansion. The space is conducive to our sessions primarily due to the low occupancy of the Center when my sessions are scheduled. He incorporates a mix of toys and equipment to include my own in the planning of our session. There are times when the plan has me transition to machines out on the main floor. Exercising in that space feels less burdensome and more directed than previously. I always leave a session feeling drained and dying, drenched in sweat, and satisfied with my determination to meet the physical demands my Trainer expected of me. Leaving the Center, I feel sore, bone weary, wishing I had parked closer, ready to take a nap, and proud I made it to the Center that day.

Over the course of seventeen (17) months, I have noticed tangible differences with regards to my strength, endurance, and how my clothes fit. During training sessions, I can manage heavier weights; execute an exercise that was a struggle previously; and/or take shorter breaks during HIIT workouts.

However, the practical application highlights the differences even further and is more evident when I can carry my bike up and down stairs and not be overwhelmed by its weight or when I am able to do yard work in significantly less time with a shorter recovery period and/or I can comfortably fit clothes that I’ve never worn or have not worn in decades. My awareness of my posture when I’m walking, standing, sitting and/or preparing to do an exercise has become more acute.

All Center staff and trainers conduct themselves as courteous, and helpful professionals; however, I have established relationships with specific staff and am amazed by how much their support and continuous encouragement influences me to reach goals that were never on my bucket list. They are extraordinary human beings. While I’ve never doubted that I can attain any objective I aim to reach; these awe-inspiring individuals prompt me to act more often rather than overthink to the point of a missed opportunity.

VALLEY HEALTH: What do you think sets our center apart from others you’ve tried in the past, and why do you keep coming back?

Manuel:

The list of what sets the center apart from others is foremost: the facility is a Wellness Center and not a ‘gym’. Tactically, this is not a ‘marketing’ distinction and the connotation itself indicates the chasm-like difference in quality between the two types of facilities.

Members are mindful and reflect every level of fitness and physical challenge.

• ALL staff (regardless of roles, responsibilities, and duty) are knowledgeable and make a conscientious effort to be professional, respectful, and courteous,
• The Center is always undergoing equipment or facility upgrades, expansions, and enhancements with as minimum inconvenience to members as is possible.
• Priority placed on cleanliness in every aspect of operations and areas is evident and commendable.
• The attentiveness of the housekeeping staff to stock, clean, disinfect, change, and meet member needs sets a standard that I’ve not experienced at any comparable facility.
• The broad scope of programmed activities to accommodate members and the community presents the Center as an inclusive environment.
• The Center was built in a convenient and easily accessible location within the Medical Center campus.

I maintain my membership because of those very special human beings who work at the Center and who have become ‘more than’ to me. end of story.

VALLEY HEALTH: What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining, based on your personal experience?

Manuel:

For someone who has had similar frustrations and a fraught relationship with fitness routines or who is at a similar level of fitness, I would recommend purchasing a pass to accurately assess if the Center’s offerings and service meets their expectations, needs and goals.