Jamie Taylor
When did you start training at Pro Fitness?
I started some trial classes back in the 2015-2016 school year when I moved up here. I had heard about the gym from Liz and Chrystal, who I worked with, but wasn’t sure I was ready to commit.
Why did you decide to begin working with a Trainer?
I had been involved in sports my entire life, even playing basketball in college. Once out of college I decided to take a break from exercise. I had been going to practices and had a set schedule for so long that it was nice to have my time back. After a couple year break, I found myself tired and unhappy with how I felt. I knew I needed to get back into some type of routine and it started by sharing a membership at a gym. This lasted a couple of months because I had no one keeping me accountable, as I had had with coaches and teammates my entire life. I had heard from Liz and Chrystal that there were some fun classes at Pro Fitness. I had been interested in Chrystal’s TRX class and thought it would be a fun new workout to try. After going to her class I was discouraged. I felt that all the strength I had built up over the years wasn’t there anymore. Something inside me told me I had to get back to working out on a regular basis to feel good again.
What were your initial goals when you started?
I knew I had to get into some type of routine. Once in a routine I knew I’d be able to keep going and start feeling better about my overall health. My initial goal was to just get to the gym 1 or 2 times a week after school. I had been out to eat with Liz and Jenny and they were talking about a 5:30 am class that Chrystal led and I laughed at them because sleep was so much more important to me and how could I get up before work to get a workout in?! They convinced me to try it and the following week I rolled out of bed to make it to Chrystal’s 5:30 class. I loved Chrystal’s energy so early in the morning. That’s where it all changed.
How has the changes you’ve made impacted your lifestyle?
Ever since starting the morning classes with Chrystal and Doug, I find I look forward to working out more than I ever had. I have finally found a group that makes working out fun and not something I feel I have to do. We have a group chat that helps hold us accountable to get to the gym 3-4 times a week. I feel like if I miss a class, I let my team down. I look back and laugh at the younger me who thought working out after work was a good idea and that sleeping in an extra hour was more important. I find working out first thing in the morning motivates me for the rest of the day and even gives me the energy to go for a walk with my husband in the evening. Working out has also made me more aware of the food I put into my body and my husband and I have been working hard on making healthier meals together.
Last summer my family and I decided to sign up for the Disney 10K race. I was determined to run the race instead of walking it. Mind you, I was never one to find running fun. I told the girls about it and they helped me train for it by coming in on Friday mornings to run. In December, a few of us decided to sign up for the Seroogy’s run. This was the first time I had ever run in a race and I knew it would help get me ready for the 10K. Jess and I ran it together and having a running buddy made the time fly, even if it was negative temperatures and our eyelashes froze! I felt like I was getting stronger each week we ran and looked forward to our conversations on the treadmill as well as the energy I had when the workout was over.
Going forward what are your new goals?
The week of the Disney 10K I found out I was pregnant with my husband, John, and my first child. I was ecstatic and also worried that all of my training had been for nothing. Chrystal and Doug were a couple of the first to know of the pregnancy because I wanted to continue to workout safely. They were both super encouraging and reassured me that running in the race would be fine! After completing the 10K I felt so good! I knew all of the work outs had helped me finish the race. Going forward I hope to continue working out as long as I can in my pregnancy. Chrystal and Doug have been really good at modifying the exercises I can do to stay safe, but still active. I find that on days I don’t workout I am more lethargic, even if I got a little extra sleep.
Any extra thoughts you would like us to add?
Not only has the gym helped me get back into the routine of working out that I was searching for, but I have also made some good friends who share the same values of exercise that help make working out a fun part of my day that I look forward to!
Liz Kershek
I started training at Pro Fitness in 2015. I originally chose to go there because I had gotten to know Chrystal Zank and found out she had classes there. Before starting at Pro Fitness, I belonged to Planet Fitness. This was super cheap and convenient simply because they were everywhere, so even when I was out of town, I could find one to go to. I was getting bored. I would always do the same things when I went and it wasn’t effective. My go to was to always run on the treadmill. When I came to Pro Fitness, I joined all of Chrystal’s group classes. I found that working out in a group really motivated me to push myself and to try new things. I have done so many different workouts I never would have tried if I didn’t come to Pro Fitness. After getting more comfortable at the gym, I even branched out with different trainers. Training with Doug and training with Chrystal is very different, but also very necessary, in order to keep challenging myself.
My initial goals when I started was to tone up, become more fit, and just keep myself motivated. Then, after I got engaged, I was working super hard to get fit for my wedding day and not have jiggly arms!! As Chrystal would always say, “You are sweating for the wedding!” It was exciting to see my body transform and become stronger. As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I was worried that I would have to stop working out. I didn’t want all of my hard work to be for nothing. Both Chrystal and Doug reminded me how important it is to keep my body healthy so that the baby will be healthy. I also read about how childbirth is one of the hardest things for your body, so all the more reason to keep training for it. Both Doug and Chrystal have been awesome at changing up workouts so that I am still able to take part in group classes. Going forward, my new goals are going to be to keep working out so that after the baby is born, my body will hopefully be able to bounce back a little faster and I will be able to continue with my regular routine at the gym.
I am so glad that I have found a gym where I feel like I belong and everyone is always encouraging you to be the best version of yourself!