Client success story in his words

November 25, 2008

Mr. David Conine
Fitness Together-Deerfield
740 Waukegan Road
Suite 108
Deerfield, IL 60015

Dear David,

I am writing to tell you how extremely pleased I am with my personal training at your Deerfield, Illinois studio. I cannot begin tell you what a positive impact it has had on me, and the results I have achieved. I would like to share my story of fitness success with you because I know you understand that these types of results don’t happen every day and more importantly, they don’t happen to everyone. And since it is just before Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to tell you that this year I am most thankful for getting into the best shape of my life.

One-on-One Personal Training in a Private Studio is the most efficient way to get in shape.

I started my training in March, 2007. I weighed 196 lbs., (overweight for my 5’10” frame), had zero flexibility and couldn’t run a short distance without being winded. I did not like to run (I was a “power walker”, which meant “I do not like to run”). And I especially hated any exercise where I had to wait in line for a machine, (I was a former member of a large health club down the road). So the thought of training privately with someone who could help me sounded very appealing. With my first trainer at Fitness Together, my workouts consisted mostly of the same routine; dumbbells, treadmill, and basic calisthenics. I went 3x per week and mainly felt good about the fact that I was doing something to better my health.

My trainer’s first priority was to set up an individualized program based on my needs.

My personal trainer knew the only way to get me into shape was to keep chipping away at me with exercises in small increments. They always geared the workout to strengthen my ability, and to get me to work. Even if it meant improving just 1% from my last session, he knew we were going to make progress. I would sometimes complain about the exercises but that did not phase him. I would ask for extended breaks in between exercises to catch my breath-something I referred to as “John Time”, similar to a time out. But I was never reprimanded for doing this. He let me take the time. Our sessions always ended with encouragement. And by doing this type of training, he was building trust. And eventually I started to leave my workouts feeling good about what we had accomplished, even though it may have been doing just 5 push ups in a row but with proper form, or 20 sit ups in a row but with an anchor for my feet. I began to trust him and allowed myself to let him help me.

My trainer continually challenges me and varies my workouts.

In the corporate world, I, too, am a trainer, but I work with sales reps and teach them hardware/software applications. The most important aspect of teaching is knowing your audience and gearing your presentation to their needs.  I notice that with clients, they tailor the workout to their ability. There is no cookie cutter approach. They encourage us to try new exercises. We never fall into a routine.

My trainer was the catalyst for Accelerated Results.

Under direction of the staff, today I am 30 pounds lighter. 30 pounds. I will say it once more. 30 pounds! Where are my love handles? Sometimes I can’t believe it. In having time to think about my weight loss, the following best sums up my feelings:

10 pounds changed the way people looked at me.
20 pounds changed the way I looked at myself.
30 pounds changed my life.

My FT personal trainer helped me to change my life. Had I not come to Fitness Together, I know I would weigh more than when I started and be grossly out of shape. They always say that you should never say the word “diet”…it is a lifestyle change. My lifestyle has changed, and for the better. I know how to exercise. I know how to eat properly. And I know how to take better care of myself.

My results are measurable; my waist size went from 35” to 32”, my bench press went from 100lbs to 140lbs, my flexibility on my assessment went from zero to 16 ¼”, and my pushups went from 12 to 34. If I had a dollar for all of the compliments I have received, I would be a millionaire. People say I look younger, the best I have ever looked, and you know what, I feel stronger, have more energy, and I feel great!

I just participated in FT’s  “Fitness Jeopardy” (which I thought was really fun) which ran from October 23-November 7^th. I was the leader in 5 categories; Born to Run, Hold Your Own, Tabata, Feats of Strength and On the Clock. If you had told me in February that I would win these events, I never would have believed it.

My health results accelerated

In July, I went to the doctor for my annual physical. I told him about my workouts, and my excitement to train. He was very pleased that I was taking charge of my health. My report card from him was an “A+” and he told me to keep up the good work. The best news though came a week later when my blood test came back. My cholesterol last year was 196 and this year it was 154, 42 points lower!!  Changing my diet and amount of exercise had made a huge difference.

Thank you for letting me share my story.  Joining Fitness Together was the best decision I could have made to improve my health.

Keep up the great work!

Best,

John Kiefer