A Gym Unlike Any Other
Aqua fitness instructor Tracy Rettie has worked in a lot of gyms, and she says none are as personal and friendly as the J-Fit Health Club.
“At a lot of the larger gyms, you take classes, and you never see the same people,” she says. “At the J, people are very open to interacting and talking to each other.” There’s a sense of community and caring she hasn’t seen in other fitness centers.
As an instructor, she loves when her clients tell her how much they enjoy her classes and how exercising at the J has changed their lives. Some of them, who have been focused on balance, can now stand on one leg when they put their pants on; others have more endurance for taking walks in their neighborhood. When they come back from the doctor, they report that their blood pressure and other health indicators have improved. She knows how great aqua fitness can be for supporting bone health, but it makes her happy when her clients see tangible results for themselves.
But what really surprised Tracy about the J is how much its members care about her as a person. When she had to miss classes because of her health, the women from her Aqua Fitness, Morning Plunge, and Aqua Power classes called to check on her and sent cards and gifts.
“They were so supportive – and I’m just their instructor!” Tracy says. She now returns the favor, texting her regular clients when they don’t show up in class to make sure they’re okay. It’s all part of building community, one interaction at a time.
Tracy not only teaches classes, but she takes a weekly small group training class with J-Fit trainer, Vince Villanueva. She calls it her “me time” because she’s doing something good for herself. She also admits that having a standing appointment on her calendar helps her stick to her commitment to exercising.
“I choose to work with Vince because he’s so patient and understanding,” she says. “He’s very flexible in acknowledging my fears and weaknesses and adapting the session to me, but he still pushes me and helps me get through that fear.” She’s a fan of small-group training because it’s less expensive than individual sessions, and participants still get one-on-one attention and personalized coaching.
She’s often joined in the class by longtime J member Patricia Merhej, and the two have become friends through their shared workouts. Knowing Patricia will be there is an added incentive for Tracy to show up. The class is always more fun when the two can challenge each other and banter while they work out.
Patricia says that the J is her sanctuary, and it’s where she, too, finds community. She’s also seen the progress her regular workouts have helped her achieve. “When I started at the J, I had low confidence in taking some of the classes and using some of the gym equipment,” she said. But with the support of the J-Fit staff and members, she is comfortable trying new classes, such as boxing – and perhaps someday aqua fitness with Tracy!
If you’ve been enjoying the J-Fit Health Club’s unique community, but want to take your workout to the next level, January is a great time to take advantage of discounts on individual and group training. And, if you have a friend who hasn’t joined the J yet, the January membership special combines a discounted enrollment fee with three free personal training sessions.
Feeling hesitant? Swing by the pool for one of Tracy’s classes – she’ll convince you that investing in a trainer is a smart choice for a healthy new year.
