gibsonsgym.com

Gibson's Gym - Member Testimonials

Here’s My Story and I’m Sticking to It! Life at “The Gym.”

- by Dayle Back (Gibson's Gym member)

I am here to tell and show you what a difference a year can make with a little hard work and determination. I joined Gibson’s Gym a year ago and did a simple on-line update of my progress throughout the year. With the help of everyone at Gibson’s including Michelle who got me started with a program she felt was suitable for my needs, Dan who was always there answering my questions and always reinforcing the positive, to Joe who always pushed me to do more and Renee who has gotten me set up on my latest program that is really working my legs! Thanks so much to all of you!

Friday, July 14, 2006
“The Gym”

So… April 4th I joined Gibson’s Gym and I am so happy I did… if I had known the kind of results I was going to achieve by spending an hour, hour and a half each day there, I would have gone sooner… I am just about at the end of my 15th week of going pretty much every day (I’ve missed a day here and there) and I have lost 19 pounds and have toned so many different parts of my body and I feel fantastic (both physically and mentally)… I do 9 strength-training machines 3 times a week and cardio (treadmill) 7 days a week… I’m up to walking between 18 and 21 miles a week… I’ve made some new friends and Gibson’s is really a terrific place to spend some time every day. It is officially “part of my life” now and something I will continue to do for a long time.

Monday, August 21, 2006
“The Gym 2”

Hi All,
Just completed my 20th week at the gym and am within 4 pounds of my goal weight… I have lost a total of 25 pounds and I’m feeling and looking great… just goes to show you that when you make up your mind to do something it can be achieved. I am still going 7 days a week for an hour to an hour and a half and the results of doing something for such a short period of time each day is so worthwhile… I never really intended to go EVERY single day, but it is such a big part of my life now and actually almost obsessive, I guess your body just craves exercise once you start doing it. It’s been a lot of work and time, but well worth it. I encourage every one in our age group to start today if you can, there is no better feeling than feeling good about yourself.

Sunday, October 1, 2006
“The Gym 3”

6 Months Completed!!! Hi All, So today I completed my first 6 months (also calculated as 26 weeks) at “The Gym”…what an experience. I have never felt better in my life and I’ve lost a total of 32 pounds, plus lots of inches all over… (I will never have a total on that because I didn’t measure myself before I started, nor did I want to)… I do know I’m toned though, not so much jiggly stuff going on anymore! My plan has worked and I do love when a “plan comes together.” I have another six months to go on my year membership, but I do know I will be renewing in April… for me, the gym has become a way of life and a place to retreat to every day to relieve stress of the every day hectic crap that goes on in my life.

Sunday, October 29, 2006
“The Gym 4”

Another month, another 4 pounds…have lost a total of 36 pounds! Still going 6 or 7 days a week, have changed some of the strength-training machines I use… variety is the spice… up to about 28 to 30 miles a week on the treadmill and I am now working on getting each mile down to about 12 minutes a mile, currently at 13 minutes a mile, when I first started I was at about 16 minutes a mile, so I’m improving! I think I’m obsessed, but I don’t care because it’s a good obsession. I think back to when I first started 7 months ago and remember how intimidated I felt, but everyone is there just “doing their own thing” for whatever reasons and I’m so glad I wasn’t scared away by the “already thin” people who don’t even look like they need to work out… anyway… I know I’m rambling on, but just wanted to give you an update on my progress… til next time.

Saturday, March 31, 2007
“The Gym 5”

(1 Year Anniversary) Well, here I am 1 year later and 44 pounds lighter! “The Gym” for me is a sweet success story. Joe (one of the trainers and general manager) told me when I first started with a lot of hard work and effort I should be where I want to be weight and fitness-wise within a year (and he was right!). I am still going just about every day (I miss a day here and there) and just recently started a more intense leg workout (thanks for that Renee!), but changing up your routine at “the gym” works different muscles, that after a year I still don’t know I had… new soreness lets you know about those muscles. I also started doing less time on the treadmill and more on Jacob’s Ladder which is an intense all over body workout, burns more calories in less time than the treadmill and is a real challenge!!!

Inspiration is key at the gym… you get it from the trainers, other people you meet and work out with and from yourself, knowing you are keeping your body toned and fit and seeing the results every time you look in the mirror or try on clothes. I have now found that I am an inspiration to others just starting out or ones who have been there and have seen the changes I have made over the year.

Just recently a group of us from “the gym” (about 20) went out together and someone at the place we were commented about how “buff” we all looked… it was nice for me to hear and be included in a compliment like that!!!

I will, of course, continue my membership at “the gym”, it is like my second home and really there is no other place I would rather be.

I am so looking forward to bathing suit season this year because for once in my life I am ready for it!!!

My body fat is at about 15 percent or maybe even less by now (I had it measured on 2/19) and I am still striving to get it to the 12 percent mark.

Classification Women (% fat)
Essential Fat: 10 – 12%
Athletes: 14 – 20%
Fitness: 21 – 24%
Acceptable: 25 – 31%
Obese: 32% plus

So, on that note, I will be getting ready now to head up to “the gym” and begin my second year!!!

Till next time… and there will be a next time!!!

What’s the Skinny?
The Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man’s March Toward Fitness

- by John Hickson (Gibson's Gym member)

Dedicated to the staff of Gibson’s Gym

Hi! My name is John, and I am a couch potato. There, I said it. I’ve moved from denial to acceptance – a huge first step.

For the past 45 years, I thought nothing could be better than sitting on the couch watching baseball (my beloved Boston Red Sox) and popping bon-bons. Well, one thing could be better, but that would require some form of activity. The hell with it; pass the bon-bons!

After I finally decided something had to be done to reduce my ever-increasing girth (six pounds a year since birth; do the math), I took the important first step: I drove past Gibson’s Gym. Hey, it may not sound like much to you, but I had become so lethargic that waking up and getting out of bed became a monumental achievement. After walking to the mailbox, I was so proud I’d play the theme from Rocky!

After three weeks of driving by (patronizing Hot Rod’s hot dogs each way), I mustered all my resources, had the bar stool surgically removed from my ass, and actually entered the gym – a decision that has had the most profoundly positive effect on my life, more than any other I have ever made.

Before joining Gibson’s, I ran the usual litany of lame rationalizations through my head: I can’t afford it, how will I find the time, it’s already bikini season. Yaddah, yaddah, yaddah. Then I thought, “Let’s take a ride on the logic train and figure this out.” If I can’t afford the time and money for this, what can I afford? Declining quality of life in later years? Increased medical expenses? Premature mortality?

Needless to say, I joined. Initially, I felt intimidated when I waddled in. Is everyone here going to look like an aerobics instructor or a California governor? Not at all. The staff was so friendly and genuinely concerned with my success that my fears vanished. And the customers are just as friendly as the staff!

To ensure my success, I hired a personal trainer two times a week (shout out to Jason). A little extravagant? Possibly. I mean who the hell do I think I am, Cher? But I always keep appointments, and Jason’s knowledge and experience have really kept me motivated. You can’t get that kind of support from a machine you bought on TV or a diet shake you whipped up in your blender. There’s no quick fix, but Gibson’s sticks with you every step of the way, including advice on healthful eating from Kevin, Gibson’s sports nutrition guru.

The long and short of it is this: After six months of regular visits, I dropped 30 pounds without dieting. Total cost of membership and personal training: $1,750. Too expensive? Nuts! If someone offered me $1,750 to regain the weight, I’d turn them down flat. And I’m sure if you could lose 30 pounds just by writing a check, you’d do it in a heartbeat.

In addition to the physical benefits, I’m emotionally healthier, too. Even on my most stressful days, I always, always leave Gibson’s feeling better and more relaxed after a workout.

Most importantly, I’ve learned that exercise is an everyday activity – just like brushing your teeth. It’s not about getting ready for summer, the class reunion, or the dreaded family gathering. It’s life.

And life is what Gibson’s has given me – a new one, a healthy one, a better one. Thank you!