The Best Gym In The World…Could It Be Fit For You, Inc?

By: Kyle Riegle

Once again I was out of town, and I naturally had to find a gym to workout.  I do enjoy getting out of Traverse City for a while but love coming back even more, and trying out a new gym while I am gone is always fun!

I was in a small town of Pennsylvania, I googled gyms and found two in the town.  Drove down, purchased a day pass and off I went to working out.  The small place I was at was okay…well organized and pretty clean.   But their were still some things missing.  Where were all the fun staff of fun people to see when I walked in?  Where were all the trainers training?   Where was the inspiration?  Regardless of this I still got my workout in.

I suppose my “gym hopping”  is part a of a quest to find the best gym in the world.  After living in Florida for a few years, spending time in sunny San Diego, and even doing Crossfit on a skyrise gym overlooking the beautiful Miami beaches, my personal choice is Fit For You Health Club, Inc, in Traverse City Michigan.

I started working out in the summer of 2002 after I graduated high school.   Since then I have developed many great relationships at Fit For You.  Walking into the gym I always feel a sense of “open door community,” similar to the same feeling I had when I was younger walking in to my friends house without knocking…always feeling welcomed.

Fit For You is like a whole bunch of gyms into one.  It’s just enough hard core to satisfy my iron crushing and speed bag pounding workouts, it has a very friendly staff, it’s probably more clean than hospital, and it has a huge feeling of inspiration.  If your not inspired to workout,  then how can you have a great workout?  Inspiration is huge for me and Fit For You floats my boat when It comes to inspiring me to workout as hard as I can!

Another quality of the best gym in the world is organization and cleanliness.  Now Fit For You may not be as clean as a hospital, but they do an excellent job of keeping things well dusted, swept and mopped.  As for the weights and machines, you’ll always find every piece stacked neatly and professionally in its own spot.

People.

Everyone who gets their exercise fix at Fit For You are very encouraging, helpful and motivating.  It’s much like a place of “business after hours,” or “before hours” if your an early morning workout person.   You can meet Joe, Joe is a plumber and you need your pipes fixed.  You happen to be a car salesperson and the lady on the treadmill next to you needs a new car.  Your personal trainer Jon referred you Dr. Brandon White to help your posture and back feel better.  The list could go on!

I am very happy to have joined Fit For You almost 8 years ago.  The people and atmosphere have made me who I am today, and at the simple expense of a very nominal gym membership, the cost of the membership here is irrelevant because the results are priceless.

You can Learn more about Kyle at : http://www.kyleriegle.com

In my opinion…Fit For You Is The Best Gym In The World.

Applying Lesson Learned at FFY

By Sandy Councell, FFY member

“This ISN’T the hardest thing I’ve ever done!” During the Fit For You Fall 2009 Make Over Challenge, I told myself this many times. Recently at Pikes Peak’s 14,115 foot summit I knew, “This IS the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Eight hours earlier at 5:00 a.m. I was in the middle of 400 hikers. Looking up and down, hundreds of lights flickered single file on the winding switchbacks. Training on the treadmill at 15 degrees plus hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes and the VASA was preparation for the first three mile of the ascent. The early morning sky granted amazing stargazing, but my eyes affixed on the ground and the muscular running legs in front of me. The owner of the legs had hiked and run the Peak numerous times. He offered encouragement and advice.

The Pikes Peak Challenge is organized by the Brain Injury Association of Colorado. Twenty percent of US soldiers return home from combat with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It hits close to home. My brother-in-law, an athletic concrete contractor, suffered a heart attack and stroke in his 40′s. The resulting TBI left him severely disable. In support of Bruce, seven family members and friends aimed for the summit. Bruce and other TBI patients encounter more obstacles daily than the 13 mile, 7,400 feet ascent will present. Many of the hikers and hike organizers were TBI survivors.

Close to daybreak with Colorado Springs out of sight, the first three miles were under my belt and the first view of Pikes Peak naked, rocky summit appeared with a beaming small light of the summit house. It was so far away.

The next three miles to Barr Camp the trail levels out a little, and I enjoyed conversation with my team. From Barr Camp to the summit the trail is a challenge, and we separated. The separation offered an opportunity to realize a goal I had shared with Jeff Gauthier months before when I committed to FFY training: “I want to have the confidence to do this on my own.” At the time “this” was weight loss and working out. Many lessons learned at FFY in the past year applied to the Peaks Pike Challenge and gave me the necessary confidence.

Train, Train, Train. Hike organizers offered a 16-week training schedule with a 28 point a week system. Four points could be earned by an hour of weight training or hiking or aerobic class. Obviously lower body strength was important, but upper body proved equally critical as I used hiking poles to maneuver over rocks and big “steps” up the steep inclines. Balance was key during the hike. As we age, our balance typically decreases. The Extreme Balance Board at FFY was a great way to regain a more youthful balance. Vern and other FFY trainers gave great advice for my routine of leg presses with low weight, wall squats, lunges, stair climber and long hikes on hills.

Be prepared. It’s a bummer when you forget a towel in your gym bag. But Beth at the front desk always pulls through for me. Not so if you forgot something on the mountain. The night before the hike our hotel room was packed with family and friends. I was in the corner with my pack … packing … unpacking … packing … unpacking. Finally one sister ordered, “Stop it!” Another took my pack from me, when she felt the weight she made me empty everything and justify each item. A few items didn’t make the trip.

Fitness is for any age. The youngest hiker I met was 12. The oldest in his 70s.  It’s never too late to get fit.

50 or failure! You can do anything to the count of 50. As the altitude increased and oxygen thinned, I walked for 100 breaths and then rested for 15 deep breaths. At the 2-miles-to-go aid station, the El Paso Rescue and Search asked how I was doing. I lied (my sister says the average person lies three times a day), “I’m doing great” and shared my strategy. He said an injured hiker got off a mountain the same way – 50 steps at a time. During the final ascent it became 50 breaths and then 50 steps and then finally until failure.

Look to others for inspiration. 300 feet from the summit I arrive at the 16 Golden Stairs. There are really a lot more than 16 short, steep switchbacks and they aren’t golden, so not sure why it was named 16 Golden Stairs. Maybe because the term “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here” was already taken. At this point you walk a few steps and rest. To my amazement a man in his 70’s came jogging down from the summit, “You’re almost there. I’m a brain injury survivor. Thank you for doing this for me. Can I carry your pack?” I got to my feet overcome with emotion and lied again, “Thanks but I’m okay.” Then I heard my sisters at the summit yelling, “You’re awesome Sandy!” Soon we were all hugging and crying.

Shortly after my arrived my sisters caught the shuttle van down the mountain. At the summit I lingered alone for two hours for the last two members of our team. I relished in victory. We all need to relish in our victories: confidence, weight loss, better health, toned bodies, increased strength.

Ultimately working out at the gym and hiking Pikes Peak is mind over matter. I never experienced one sore muscle after the hike just wind chapped lips (and that is not my third lie of the day)! I refuse to believe that this was because “This wasn’t the hardest thing I ever did.”

hydrated. I drank six liters of water that day. Water is incredibly heavy and bulky but essential in the backpack. Surprisingly I only searched for a secluded bush twice during the hike – my body needed those 200 oz of H₂O. Wickable clothing was a life saver! Also lots of water the week before the climb warred off altitude sickness.

Look to others for support. At FFY trainers and members are essential to staying on track. Throughout the hike complete strangers offered crucial encouragement and companionship, and advice.

Eat healthy. Small portions of protein bars, turkey and cheese gave lasting energy. Surprisingly I only ate half of what I packed – my appetite was minimal. At mile seven, an apple proved more delicious than any fruit ever eaten. A handful of M&Ms at one checkpoint gave an amazing boast – not healthy, but whatever it takes to trick the brain!

Slow and steady. Sometimes a quick pace is appropriate inside and outside the gym. But often the turtle comes across the finish line first.

Take time to recover is crucial. My routine with FFY trainers often was three sets of three exercises and then a short break to recover. Hike organizers encouraged a 20-minute break at Barr Camp – halfway to the summit.  I caught up with my sisters at Barr Camp. Wanting to stay with them, I left shortly after arriving. Less than a quarter mile down the trail, I had to stop for that 20-minute break.

Sandy Councel with her sisters                              On the top of Pike’s Peak