success stories
05/12/2010
DEAR IN-SHAPE
I have a serious complaint about my membership. While your membership rates are reasonable, I was not warned about the extra hidden costs of working out at your clubs. I started working out in January of this year and have incurred numerous costs along the way that are directly related to working out with you.
What costs? Well, I have had to buy an entire new wardrobe, for one. I weighed 325 pounds in January and have now dropped 60 pounds down to 265, directly because of working out with you, and NONE of my old clothes fit. I went from a 50" waist to now a 40" waist and went from a XXXL shirt size to an XL size and, although I think I still have a couple of old items that fit, they were from my school days and I don't think wearing parachute pants would go over to well in the year 2010. So, I have had to buy an entire new wardrobe.
To make things worse, I am still dropping the weight and will likely have to expend more for another wardrobe soon. Yes, it is true that I can now run a 5K in well under 30 minutes and my doctor said that I have likely saved myself from diabetes by working out, but I think that you need to make it abundantly clear to your members that if they work out with you, they will likely need to buy new wardrobes.
Sincerely,
Travis M. Colby
In-Shape City: Merced member
p.s. - Pictures and more info on my path to being fit can be found on my blog: http://finallyairborne.blogspot.com/
UPDATE [6/29/2010] - I posted the latest photo on the blog. I am getting comments from people who saw things on the In Shape web site and this is very exciting. Thanks for putting it up, it helps me keep going. I am now training for a half marathon in November and have lost 72 pounds and 12 inches off my waist. The latest comparison photo shows the proof. I still have a ways to go, but having people who saw my story on your website is really motivating me to keep at it. Thanks!
ANOTHER UPDATE [8/23/2010]- I'm still going strong, down 85 pounds right now and able to run a half marathon in just about 2 hours (2:08:49). I am now training for the California International Marathon in December and have actually become a sponsored athlete! Just this January sitting on the couch as a 325 pound guy I never would have thought I would be a professionally sponsored athlete or that I could run as far as I do now on a regular basis. I am in better shape now than I have ever been, thanks In Shape!
-Travis
04/13/2010
DEAR IN-SHAPE,
In December my fellow nurse friend and I were approached at SJMC to check out a "Personal Trainer program" as a trial ..we both looked at each other and thought "Why Not" ..so together we signed up with the Workout Buddy program.
Boy were we ever lucky when we were assigned Jay as our trainer. Trust me, I am over 65 and I never thought working out could be fun ...that was until we met Jay. Trust me he works us out hard..we sweat...but as much as we sweat we laugh and have Fun. Working out with a buddy makes all the difference in the world ..you are committed to each other to not miss and we are devoted to JAY!!!
Thanks for having such a good program..the core strengthening and the muscle building has made me more agile and balanced. I also have lost inches and pounds in 3 short months. Our Trainer Jay has been our inspiration and cheerleader and I don't think we could have been as successful without him. YEA JAY!!!
Susan Thomas
03/18/2010
DEAR IN-SHAPE,
I am an RN that has worked at St. Joseph’s Medical Center for about 35 years. That will tell you how old I am! I was intrigued last December by invitations from Customer Built Representatives for a trial of personal training at the In-Shape facilities. And, I found out if you had a “workout buddy”, the cost would be half as much, but truth be told, double the fun!
This has worked quite well, there is not only a bonding, but a commitment that you end up making to yourself and your buddy—you will find you do not want to disappoint your buddy or yourself. Also our trainer, Jay, has been our true inspiration. He is our champion, our guru, the driver of our exercise! And, boy does he know what he is doing. With core strengthening and muscle building, we each have dropped some pounds, but mainly inches. And best of all, I feel more agile, balanced, and capable, all which have contributed to living a better quality of life. What more can I say, take the challenge, and you will love yourself for it!
Shirley Zolezzi
11/01/2009
DEAR IN-SHAPE,
I first came to In-Shape because the hospital that I work at offers discounts, then I went to the doctor and he told me that my blood pressure and levels of triglycerites in my blood were to high and I needed to do something. I realized that "I can't do this alone". I went to the finess manager Frank Briggs and he gave me a free session. I have been hooked on their personal training from day 1! It has become what I look forward to every week. Brent Warren is the nicest trainer, he makes you feel good about yourself and keeps you motivated no matter what! You meet a lot of people who really care and it's like going over to a friends place. It has been a little over a month and I see results each week and the best part is when I went to my follow up doctor's appt. the first thing that the medical asst. said to me was "you have lost weight". and the doctor told me when he followed up with my blood work that "The results have made a complete turn around and that he is "very impressed"....I could go on and on with great things to say but, Thank You In-Shape Sport Bakersfield (Coffee Rd.) I am glad to be part of such a great "family"!
Heather Moorehead
November 2009
Bakersfield (Coffee Road)
10/20/2009
DEAR IN-SHAPE,
After years of a relaxed life following bypass heart surgery in 1998 and two breast cancer surgeries (2004 and 2005), I found myself to be in poor physical health. I found it difficult to walk long distances. Unable to do simple exercises due to lack of strength and adult diabetes, my blood sugar remained too high, affecting my eyes and nerves. I was deteriorating physically as the years progressed.
I joined In-Shape City several months ago on the advice of my daughter, who was already a member. Since my sessions with my personal trainer, Alisa, my overall strength has improved, I can walk longer distances, my blood sugar level has returned to normal, I’m sleeping better at night and my overall health has improved a great deal.
I owe my present physical condition to In-Shape City Los Banos and my personal trainer, Alisa Zavala. I can’t thank everyone enough for helping me become more physically fit.
Thank you,
Gayle Bonds
Los Banos
03/01/2009
DEAR IN-SHAPE,
I owe my life to the In-Shape Health Clubs and my training program there. In 1988, I joined the club, worked out 3 to 4 times a week, building muscle strength, endurance and cardio vascular fitness.
These workouts and the level of fitness I attained made my recovery from bypass surgery in 2008 at age 62 amazing even to my doctors and therapists. Two months after surgery, I was walking 2 1/2 to 3 miles per day and have increased daily mileage to 5 to 6 miles every day.
I also had knee surgeries in 2001-2003 due to a high school injury. With my arm strength, I was again able to lift my body and walk with the crutches and recovery was accelerated.
Now it’s 7 months after cardiac surgery, I am very anxious to return energized with endured training, and actively walking to increase cardio fitness.
Gordon Mowles
March 2009
Stockton (West Lane)
10/16/2008
DEAR IN-SHAPE,
Since I started exercising at In-Shape City, my blood sugar has dropped over 100 points and my blood pressure has dropped to normal. My bad right knee has firmed and become stronger. It feels so much better now. So far I have lost over 15 pounds in 3 and a half weeks. I feel and sleep so much better now.
My Doctor says that I can give credit to exercise for all my improvements. In-Shape City has changed my life for the better.
Thank you,
Larry Bonds
Los Banos
04/01/2008
DEAR IN-SHAPE,
I joined In-Shape City in the beginning of February because I was extremely overweight and depressed. I was scared, extremely self conscious and I knew absolutely nothing about working out. I had heard good things about a trainer named Callah and decided to hire her as soon as possible. I have come a long way so far in the two months that I have worked with her. I love Callah because she is motivating, her workouts are extremely challenging, and most importantly she makes me feel important. She taught me how to eat healthy and always stay positive. I no longer battle with my depression and I am happier than ever!
I am still training with Callah and taking her group training classes as well. I still plan on losing a lot more, but I now can say I am comfortable in my own skin. I have currently lost more than 14 inches all around, about 5% body fat and 12 pounds. I went from a XXL to an L and from a pant size 14 to a 10. Thank you so much Callah!
Sincerely,
Maria Lopez
April 2008
03/01/2008
DEAR IN-SHAPE,
When I joined In-Shape I didn’t know anything about exercise. Having never worked out in my life, I was overweight and out of shape. I was introduced to a trainer named Callah. Having Callah as a Personal Trainer is the best decision I’ve ever made! Through her motivating and extremely challenging workouts I have not only gotten in-shape, she’s taught me how to eat healthy as well.
I now not only look good but I am healthier as well. Within weeks the pounds started disappearing and I finally started feeling better about myself! I can now proudly say that I can beat my 12 year old daughter at a mile race! Currently I have lost over 20 lbs., 5% body fat and over 10 inches! I STRONGLY encourage anyone who wants to look and feel the way I do to get Callah as their “personal trainer”!
Jose
March 2008
