Changes for 2012 by Lucinda LaRee

CHANGE YOUR MIND

CHANGE YOUR BODY

CHANGE YOUR LIFE

CHANGE YOUR WORLD

Four years ago during the Presidential campaign Obama’s word was Change. 2012, an election year City Fitness’s word is Change. We have seen many changes in the last 18 years of business.

When City Fitness opened in 1993, the most popular class format in was Step Aerobics. The most popular class today is Yoga with body sculpting and boot camp classes next in line.

The gym opened in the Grunge era. We played Pearl Jam on the CD player and got pumped up to lift. Now we have satellite radio and everyone has their very own entertainment centers via their Ipod, Iphone or Ipad.

Although other things may have changed over time, everyone is still looking for the new fitness trend, quick fix, and “ultimate” workout to start off their New Year. We are here to say there is no such thing as a quick fix. It is good to change it up, don’t get me wrong. Try new things, push to the next level, and think outside of the box. If not for muscle confusion, then make workout changes for excitement and the challenge of learning something new.

We don’t believe it should always be “out with the old and in with the new.” Keep what works for you and be willing to change what doesn’t. We want to encourage everyone to step it up and step out of your comfort zone:

· Try a class you’ve been to afraid to attend because you think you will make a fool out of yourself – odds are you won’t, and even if you do have a GREAT time trying.

· Set up a Fitness evaluation and program design or sign up for a Personal Training Starter Package to get one on one attention and out of your workout rut!

· Turn off your Ipod, unplug your ears and have a conversation with your neighbor. You might just make a new friend.

There is no hiding at City Fitness. Unlike the big “BOX” chain gyms that offer extreme deals without membership limits, 50 treadmills in a row where you’re just a hamster on wheel, and that don’t care if members actually use the gym or not, we are owner operated and want to see our members getting the most bang for their buck. The only way to do this is use the gym, focus on your workout and be a part of our fitness community. We are here to help you reach your goals. City Fitness has everything you need to do it. All we need is your commitment.

In 2011 our intention was to give our gym a lift from the ground up. We replaced the floors, painted and repaired the facility, refinished the deck, replaced the windows and worn our bench pads, purchased some new fitness toys and mats and made a stab at better storage for our fitness props.

2012 will bring more changes with new cardio equipment and more dance classes, but it will still offer you the same consistency in our awesome instructors and trainers that continue to learn and grow and want to share their knowledge with you. Enjoy our beautiful gym to break a sweat, swing a kettle bell, chant “om,” or stand on your hands.

WE SAY TO YOU

“BRING IT”

AND LET’S SEE WHAT CHANGE CAN DO

How Physical Activity Can Help with Cancer Treatment by guest author Liz Davies

As you go into cancer treatment sessions, you need to be ready to take on the cancer in any way that you are able to do so. This extends past just getting treatment and taking medicine. You can also start working out. You may want to go running. Many other people have had a lot of success riding bikes, so that is also something that you could consider. You may even want to consider stretching and lifting weights. Believe it or not, all of these things have been shown to really help those who have cancer. These ideas are relevant for people suffering from all types of cancers ranging from breast cancer to One reason that these things can help is that they make it so that you are not overweight. There is extensive evidence that being obese makes it easier for you to get cancer in the first place. It also makes it more likely that the cancer will come back. Furthermore, it decreases the chances that you will survive the disease. This has been connected to every single type of cancer that has been studied. While these discoveries are rather new and so the links are not yet perfectly clear, it can be seen that there is a certain connection. This is not something that you should ignore. Another benefit that you have is that working out is good for your heart. It can help to expand your blood vessels. It makes the muscles of the heart stronger. You will also find that exercise and physical activity can get your blood flowing at a faster rate. All of these things help both blood and oxygen to move around the body more efficiently. These are things that can make your body stronger, that can help it to fight off the foreign cancer cells. You will feel an extreme amount of fatigue while you are receiving treatment. This is natural, as the treatment for cancer can almost be as hard on the body as the cancer itself. While this might make you want to stop getting exercise, the opposite is generally a better choice. If you go for a run or a swim, you will feel invigorated. It will wake you up. You will move on with your life feeling less fatigue and having higher energy levels than you can remember having since you started the treatment process. This is true for people working through cancers that typically have a low survival rate like epithelial mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma or people with cancers that normally have high survival rates like testicular cancer or skin melanoma. It is easy to decide not to do anything when you have cancer. It is easy to sit around and let the time go by. However, you need to stand up to the disease and do whatever it takes. You need to show yourself that cancer is not in control. You are in control. When you decide to do this, the exercise that you get can save your life.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

City Fitness Celebrates Cleveland Park Day, October 1, 1:00-5:00p.m.

Join City Fitness in celebrating Cleveland Park Day! This Saturday, October 1, 1:00-5:00 p.m. The parking lot and service road will be closed to allow space for all of our businesses to set up tables offering food, coupons and more. There will be kids events like a moon bounce and other fun things like a dunk tank. (Want to get in it? Volunteer!) Meet President & Mrs. Grover Cleveland and view the museum of Cleveland Park history. City Fitness is offering all kinds of demo classes - check out our schedule and bring a friend! (Indoor classes will require reservations.) All classes listed are FREE!

• 1:00 p.m. Line Dancing (outdoor)
• 1:30 p.m. Kickboxing Demo (outdoor)
• 1:30 p.m. Pole Dancing Intro Class (indoor)
• 2:30 p.m. Learn & Burn Demo (outdoor)
• 2:30 p.m. Spinning Intro Class (indoor)
• 3:00 p.m. Tai Chi Demo (outdoor)
• 3:30 p.m. World Dance Class (outdoor)
• 4:00 p.m. Pole Dance Demo (outdoor)
• 4:30 p.m. Laughter Yoga Class (outdoor)
• 4:45 p.m. Sunset Yoga Demo (outdoor)

Phone the gym 202-537-0539 for your reservations!

City Fitness Renovations - CLOSED April 22-24

City Fitness is looking forward to our upcoming renovations. We'll have a brand new floor around the front desk and the locker room entries. There are going to be a few other cosmetic upgrades to which to look forward. Remember, the gym will be closed Friday, April 22 - Sunday, April 24 so the upgrades can be completed. We can't wait to see the finished product!

Congratulations to City Fitness' Washingtonian Top Trainers - Tom Brose & Elie Cossa

City Fitness gym is proud to have two of our Master Trainers, Tom Brose and Elie Cossa, both featured in the current Washingtonian as Top Personal Trainers in Washington, DC. Check out the current issue!!

Roots - by Lucinda LaRee

Roots

By: Lucinda LaRee

3/22/11

An entire year has passed and between Spring 2010 and the end of winter, March 20, 2011, I focused on my own version of Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness project. I was given Gretchen’s book for Christmas, 2010, by a dear friend and client, Isabelle Scott. For 16 years, three times a week, as we did our practice, we would talk like “soul sisters” about what was going on in our lives. She was very excited about this book and her enthusiasm was contagious and got me excited. I devoured the book and put my plan in action.

At the same time I was deeply into learning all I could about the Chakra System. I decided to do both - as I worked my way through the year with Gretchen I would also work my way up the spine and take each of the seven major chakras one at a time.

One day during our practice, Isabelle talked to me about my hair. Over the years she has listened to me complain about my hair color, fight with my natural curl and try to get that Washington, “I’ve got it all together” look. Isabelle, in her late 60’s had decided to stop coloring her hair and blowing it straight and it never looked better. She encouraged me to give it a try.

Growing out my roots. Showing my gray. Showing my age. Was I now over the hill, an ol’hag, wild woman, who has let her self go? Or, was I the, Silver Fox, gray wolf, wise owl, all beautiful creatures of the earth and sky. Why was I doing this? I wanted to be authentic, keep it real, keep it simple, be unique, and be accepting of myself, my age, and who I am now.

As the year passed and my roots grew out my hair was a mess. It was difficult to keep my commitment. I went to California to visit my family in the summer and was stressed they would give me hell. My mother’s motto has always been, “I am going to the grave without any gray!” We sat on the beach one day and my mom touched my curls and said, “you know I always loved your curls, and your natural hair color is coming in nicely.” That’s as good as it gets!

I believe as I let my natural hair flow, all the colors and curls accepted, I shall show to the world on the outside as I am on the inside: a natural, beautiful, confident woman who is grounded, wise and strong. As my crown shines silver, I shall attract people who appreciate a women who is courageous enough to be true to her own vision of herself in an age of fake and phony.

My friend Isabelle passed away in November, just after her 70^th birthday. She never got to see my hair completely grown out. When times are hard I think about how when she gave me the book, “The Happiness Project” she knew she was dying of Leukemia. She did not share this diagnosis with family and friends until the very end of her life. She was grounded, beautiful, practicing her yoga, piano, singing and putting her best foot forward everyday, letting her silver mane of curls shine until the very end. Begin your own journey here:

http://www.happiness-project.com/

Time to Try a Tri with City Fitness Gym!

Have you always wanted to do a triathlon, but have not known where to start. Here is your opportunity to get more direction and train with a supportive group of all levels and abilities! Join us for an informational meeting on Saturday, February 26 at 2:30 p.m. We'll provide you structure and inspiration in your quest!

Presidents' Day Weekend

Happy government holiday weekend! City Fitness will be open regular hours with a full class schedule on Saturday and Sunday. Monday, we will be open 8am-8pm. Here is our class schedule for Monday:

• 9:30 a.m. Samayama Yoga
• 10:45 a.m. Samayama Yoga
• 12:00 p.m. Body Sculpting
• 6:00 p.m. Boxing
• 7:00 p.m. Afri-Cardio

City Fitness Gym Holiday Toy Drive - December 8-14!

We are collecting toys for distribution by the Central Union Mission to homeless and needy kids in Washington, DC. Gifts for infants all the way through teens are needed. Drop your NEW and UNWRAPPED toys by City Fitness through the 14th. Any guests who bring a gift will get a free week at the gym. Go shopping and get something fun to give!

City Fitness Gym - Labor Day Schedule

City Fitness will be open on Labor Day from 8am-4pm. We'll be holding our regular 9:30am, 10:45am and 12:00pm classes. Come on over and have a great workout to finish your holiday weekend!