Over three years ago, I started my exercise regiment going to retro fitness a few times a week; there I met Adonis and Mo. Our friendship developed there and after a time it was recommended to me by Mo to participate in a boot camp class that was being held at the Sayreville high school and was conducted by Ben. From the very start of fitness training, I had to struggle in order to achieve proper form, positioning and sustain stamina to get through the session. The commitment to myself is unstoppable – to become as strong as I was at Boot Camp as a Marine back in 1963. I know that I have the innate drive to persevere towards triumph, but without the patience, knowledge, and dedication of the trainers at Isabella Fitness, along with the verbal support of fellow members, I honestly don’t think I would have reached this level of conditioning. I have reached the 500-class mark, I am now 70 years old, lost over 50 pounds, and aside from osteoarthritis in my knees, I feel physically healthy and stronger than I’ve ever felt in my youth. I thank everyone at Isabella Fitness for where I am and how I feel today.
I started Isabella Fitness when my Mom introduced me to it in the summer of 2012. It was the summer after my freshmen year of college and I put on a freshmen 50, not freshmen 15. I was fat and needed change. I remember the day she told me about IF; she heard it from a co-worker and knew I would love it. She was right! I started working out at an affiliate in New Brunswick. By the end of the year, I was at IF. I played lacrosse in college and doing HIIT was the perfect way for me to stay in shape. I love going to the gym, lifting heavy and going as hard as I can during my workouts. It helps me forget about the little things that may be bothering me during the day. I don’t have a set class time that I go to which I actually enjoy. It has a lot to do with my crazy schedule but it works out because I get to work out with so many different people. My brother, Ryan, joined the box when he graduated college. This has been great for us as being able to compete against him (and beat him) is one of my favorite things about going to the gym. I feel extremely lucky to be able to workout with my friends and family every day.
Prior to joining Isabella Fitness in May 2012, I used to workout on my own. I ran a lot, went to the gym to use the elliptical machines, and occasionally tossed around the 5-pound dumbbells. I hated going to the gym, I mostly just ran, and ran, and ran! Although I loved to run, I wanted something else, so I started doing the Insanity videos after work hoping my coworkers would join me. That only lasted for so long. Finally, Peter brought me over to Isabella Fitness where he was already working out with a group of people. I didn’t even know what HIIT was. I didn’t care, I just wanted to workout with other people and change up my old boring routine. Well, it definitely changed! I never touched a barbell before I started IF. I was clueless! I didn’t think I would even be able to jump onto a 20-inch box, put weight on the bar, and lift it over my head, or especially climb a rope to the ceiling and coming back down without breaking a body part. But somehow I did all those things. I have come a long way and still have a long way to go, but it is fun for me. Coming to the box is something I look forward to, especially after being at work all day. It is a chance to get in a good workout while being surrounded by awesome people who push you to do better each day while joking around and having fun.
Because of Isabella Fitness, my fitness journey was able to evolve into something incredible. I grew up in a culture where women lifting weights was frowned upon. When I joined the fitness family, I quickly learned how empowering it is to lift with other women. The community is nothing short of supportive, and the willingness of Ben and Kevin to help us achieve goals we thought were outside of our reach keep me coming back. I can squat more than my weight, I can do pull-ups, and, more than anything, I have more mental toughness than I ever knew I could have. Isabella Fitness is my safe haven and my home.
AWESOME CLIENT TRANSFORMATIONS!
