The Hennessy Center for Student Life is a major hub of student activity. Opened in 1994, it houses a 10,000-square-foot gymnasium, running track, fitness, training, and locker rooms, as well as facilities for meetings and conferences. The Center hosts intercollegiate athletic events, open recreation, and student events. There is no charge to students and faculty for the use of the facility.
Gym membership in the U.S. fell 3 percent in 2007, which has some chain and independent gyms adding extra incentives such as bigger membership discounts, a free month, passes for a workout buddy or discounted personal training or other amenities such as a classes or spa use.
“Gyms rea
lize these are tough economic times, for themselves as well as their members,” says Joe Moore, chief executive of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, an industry trade group. Among the deals out there: A two-week free guest pass at Bally Total Fitness (ballyfitness.com), which recently filed for bankruptcy reorganization but says it plans to continue operations. One month free, then 50 percent off the monthly membership fee at Curves (curves.com). No enrollment fee at Gold’s Gym (goldsgym.com). Moore recommends that new andold gym members review benefits online or in the information package they are typically handed when they sign up. Go through the materials with a staff member to be sure you know what you’re getting.
Ask about all fees and if the club offers month-to-month contracts, rather than lock you in for a full year. Also ask about cancellation rules.
Other tips:
If you are out of work and locked into a year-long contract, ask the club if it will freeze your membership.
Before you sign up make sure you are clear on what amenities are free and what you pay extra for.
Clubs often offer one or two personal training sessions free when you sign up. Ask for more free passes, ask trainers you like if they are ever on the floor to offer gratis coaching and find out if the club offers small training classes at rates well below the one-on-one sessions.
Check your company benefits to see if free or discounted gym memberships are offered. Many health insurers offer discounts at specific gyms. Call the membership number on your insurance card or check the insurer’s website.
If your doctor prescribes a gym membership to help treat a health problem, you may be able to use your flexible spending account — a pretax account for medical expenses some firms set up for employees. Ask the doctor if a prescription is appropriate, then show it to the person at your firm who manages employee benefits and ask if your company will allow gym use to be covered by the account.
And finally, fitness model and actress Amanda Carrier:
Monica Guerra is a personal trainer, nutritionist, personal chef, fitness model, IFBB pro, and NPC fitness level competitor. Working out of Los Angeles, California, this accomplished athlete has devoted her life to helping others achieve their fitness goals. She runs her own fitness company, Peak Performance Nutrition, which offers a bevy of services from personal training to nutritional consultation. Monica is a recognized industry leader and viable celebrity in the fitness world. Her passion, dedication, and knowledge of the industry make her a fitness professional that you should be contacting to help you achieve your goals.
Monica’s skill set is diverse. She works with expecting mothers, young athletes, fitness competitors, and businessman. Harboring a unique knowledge, fortified through actual experience, of the fitness competition industry, she is a PTA examiner and judge for several fitness competitions throughout the country. If you are considering entering a fitness competition you should seriously consider enlisting her services. In addition to obtaining the coveted IFBB Pro Card, Monica has judged various shows and knows what the judges are looking for on stage. Don’t despair if you’re not on the West Coast. Monica offers online consultation and is capable of training serious competitors remotely. You don’t get many chances to work with a professional like Monica. Don’t let distance get in the way of that.
Monica is also a coveted fitness model. Acting as a spokeswoman for numerous product lines, Monica brings professionalism and credibility to each of the products she works with. A striking beauty of Hispanic heritage, you should consider Monica for work if you have a product you would like to introduce to the fitness community. Monica could help you launch your product the right way. Her resume speaks for itself.
Want to learn more about Monica? Visit her Fittron.com profile and contact her for fitness help. She is ready, and more then capable, of transforming not only your body, but your life as well.
The very much-anticipated ICA Fitness Symposium and the The Arnold Sports Festival, featuring California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, kicks off on February 29th, and runs through March 2, 2008. The event is held at the Columbus Hotel in Ohio, and it features a dazzling number of health care experts and fitness professionals.
Christina Lindley, Sandra Peebles, and Staci Boyer have been added to the schedule and will be sharing their expertise as guest presenters with Dr. Jack Barnathan and Dr. Richard Gennaro, speaking on coordinating patient care with personal trainers and other exercise professionals at the 2008 ICA Fitness Symposium program.
KELLY RIPA reveals in the latest issue of Fitness, on stands now, some of her secrets for looking so good.
"For the first time, I have muscles!" the 37-year-old co-host of ABC's "Live with Regis and Kelly" proudly tells the magazine. "I am totally hooked on this sculpting class ... it's transformed my body in ways I never thought possible."
Kelly adds that she's also been getting a lot of support from her husband, MARK CONSUELOS, when it comes to her new fitness kick.
"The great thing about Mark is that he's so encouraging," she says. "When I was pregnant with my first son and I gained 68 pounds, Mark made me feel like the Queen of Sheba everyday -- 'You're so beautiful, you're so gorgeous.'"
But the married mother of three does admit to a few confidence-boosting tricks. "I buy jeans that are tight in the read end," Kelly says. "I'm not kidding. I treat my cheeks like breasts in a push-up bra."
