Get Your Playlists Ready!

What music really gets you psyched for a great workout? A symphony? The Beatles? Linkin Park? Write in with your Top 10 workout songs. We'll highlight a new combination each week from the members and staff of City Fitness...maybe you'll be inspired!

Couples Work It Out Special!

City Fitness Gym is celebrating the month of love with our "Couples Work It Out" special. For the month of February, couples can sign up to the gym with our two-for-one initiation fee special. If you are an existing member and your other half is interested in joining, they can also add on to your membership without paying an initiation fee. The best way to work out stress is with physical exercise. What better way to do that than with your significant other. Take advantage of this special now. Visit our web site at www.cityfitnessgym.com for more information about City Fitness.

City Fitness Gym Member Spotlight

City Fitness Gym member Ben Cunis is a member of Synetic Theater. See their production of Romeo and Juliet now through March 8. www.SyneticTheater.org

How to Become a Fitness Professional

So, as our fitness education programs are well-known in the DC area, we get numerous inquiries about how to start a career in fitness. Here are a few tips - but check out our web site for more info on our education courses at www.cityfitnessgym.com.

1. Make a plan - Fitness can be a part time or very full time endeavor and it is important to start out with parameters so you can have fun, make a living, but not burn out.
2. Get CPR/AED Certified - We offer courses at least twice a year, but you can also go to the Red Cross or Heart Association among others. You must have a CPR certification to take any fitness certification exams, and you must maintain a current CPR certification to work in the fitness field.
3. Choose a Certification Organization - we recommend starting with ACE or AFAA which are nationally recognized as good starting certifications. Want to step up later? Go for ACSM, NASM, or NSCA.
4. Study and Test Prep - We offer great test preparation courses (our students have a 92% passing rate). But you also have to study and practice what you learn as you go!
5. Hands-On & Mentoring - After passing the certification exams, you should get some hands-on practice. We offer courses for fitness instructors and personal trainers; even with the courses it is a good idea to mentor under a teacher or trainer for a while to get more practice and to develop a comfort zone.
6. Keep Learning! No one knows everything....ever. Keep studying; look for fitness niches that are of interest; collect continuing education credits so you can renew your certification; and keep an open mind. New trends pop up all the time!

American Heart Month

February is National Heart Month - celebrate by treating your heart well! Adding cardiovascular exercise, modifying dietary intake, and lowering stress levels can help keep the heart healthy and strong. Check out the American Heart Association web site at www.americanheart.org for more ideas - and leave some of your own here to share.