The difference between us and other 'fitness institutions' is our all-encompassing philosophy of Real Fitness. We promote training rather than exercising. We believe each person is accountable for their successes. Real fitness is beyond diet shakes, machines, magic pills, yoga-lates, and 5-minute abs. Others would have you believe that you can achieve fitness easily by disconnecting your mind from your body when you excercise. Watching tv or reading a book while you sit on a recumbent bicycle, having a personal trainer tell you what to do either in real life or on DVD. If only you can pleasantly occupy your mind long enough, when you snap out of it and return back to reality your new fit self will be staring back at you from your mirror. Just like in life, simply going through the motions is not enough if you want to succeed. We require you to think, to use your brain and your muscles at the same time. To continually learn and challenge yourself. We want you to try new things, things you never thought you were capable of, and to push yourself to your limit every day. We require your mind to be focused and present with your body at all times. When your mind and body work together in unison you will get more out of your workout and more from your life than you ever thought possible.
Our Trainers vs. Their Trainers
Our Space vs. Their Space
Their space, filled with weight and cardio machines, is configured to fit the largest amount of people into the smallest possible space. Finding space to move freely is nearly impossible. Using more than one piece of equipment at a time is considered 'improper ettiquette', while silence and avoiding eye contact are viewed as common courtesy.
Our space emphasizes space. Space to move, jump, lift, balance, climb, tumble, fail, and therefore space to train. Our bodies are the "machines", and to use them as such requires skill, balance, stabilization, strength, proprioception, accuracy, and most importantly - space! The functional, multi-joint movements we teach occur in both life and sport, and since our objective in training is to mimic both, we find that free weights, with proper instruction, coaching, and space do this best.
Our Flex Hours vs. Their Classes
Their classes are scheduled around their convenience and availability, not yours. They limit the time and exercises available to you. If you have to work late, or get caught in traffic you may miss a large part, or the entirety of your scheduled class. Rarely, if ever, will you get personal attention before or after your workout.
Our flex hours allow you to come in and train whenever is convenient for you. It's not about us, it's about you. You don't have to leave as soon as your workout is over, and you can do the Workout of the Day, make-up a workout you missed or practice other strength/skill training exercises. Depending on the time of day, you may be on your own or with a partner or group. Coaching is catered towards your needs, rather than the needs of a group.
Our Training vs. Their 'Work-Outs'
Their exercising is what people to do make themselves feel better. People catching up on the latest episode of Oprah in the fancy new 'Cardio Theatre', reading the newspaper between sets, or moving from machine to machine like zombies are all examples of people exercising. They feel good about themselves because they can cross off 'exercise' from their to do list for the day.
We never do anything while sitting on a bike, and reading a magazine. Nor do we 'exercise' using weight machines. Our training is challenging and requires your mind and body to be present and focused. You will accomplish things you never imagined possible. Our workouts will recruit and develop your cardio-respiratory endurance, coordination, agility, balance, power, strength, speed, endurance, stamina and flexibility. This is our training. Our training prevails all others, through continuous improvement in all areas of fitness.
