Believe it or not, as the owner of Stand Firm Fitness, one of the largest personal fitness centers in Connecticut, the question of “where to exercise” has actually always been one of the least important concerns on my list of “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” to exercise. People are more important than places. When looking for a facility in which to transform your physique and psyche, what the people know should determine the place where you go. Your workout routine doesn’t mean squat if your trainers are all body and no brain.
When I first started my business, I didn’t have a facility. I didn’t have any equipment. I didn’t have any clients. In fact, I lived in the attic of my mother’s house in Wilton, CT. So did my wife and my twin two-year-old daughters. I had just recovered from a one-year hiatus from fitness, including both work and working out, due to a cracked L5 vertebra. I was just getting back on track physically, but was also in desperate need of recovering fiscally as well.
When I graduated from Wilton High School in 1985, I had a very clear vision for my life. I vividly remember setting the goal of becoming an educated and experienced exercise physiologist, and then coming back home to make Wiltonions and Wiltonites healthy. Ten years later, I was definitely back home (staying in an un-lofty loft) and, relative to my broken body, Wilton was already remarkably healthy. This wasn’t exactly what I had expected; nonetheless, I used my situation as motivation for myself and others.
One body at a time, starting with my own, I formed the foundation to Stand Firm. With no facility, equipment, or clients, I basically went door to door searching for people who were willing to trust my recently acquired knowledge and training systems.
Many had home gyms with machines, treadmills, dumbbells, and bikes. Most had absolutely nothing. Forced to be creative, I soon realized that, as long as the major tenets of fitness were included (cardio, strength, flexibility, and proper nutrition), it doesn’t matter where you do it. Regardless of where my clients were and what they had, they could still exercise. Everybody and every body can realize results everywhere. What you know is more important than where you go.
I am blessed to say that many of those people are still clients today, fifteen years later, and their support has been a source of inspiration for the expansion of Stand Firm Fitness over the years. I’ve worked hard since 1985 for my goal of making my community a healthier and happier place. But I also realize that, as hard as I try, I’ll never be all things to all people, and maybe somebody out there might be a better “fit” for you and your own personal transformation process. This is especially true for those of you who don’t live within driving distance of my club… which is 6.72 billion of you… and counting.
With that being said, I’d like to encourage you to pick up the phone, get on the web, or jump in the car. You can get results anywhere, but you need to act… and there’s no time like the present. It only takes one action to start the process, and THE BEST WAY TO EXERCISE can help you regardless of where you live, work, or play.
You may have a variety of options from which to choose for your regular workout location; in any case, do your homework and pick the place that passes your personal test, whatever that is. If you are a current member or client of a facility, congratulations… keep going! If you aren’t getting the results you desire there, look in the mirror. Are you really doing what they recommend? Speak with somebody about it. They probably have more answers than you think. I am always amazed, even at my own facility, how few people seek proper guidance.
There is definitely a right and wrong way to exercise. And, even more importantly, there is The BEST Way to Exercise… and you can do that anywhere at anytime. Remember, it’s not necessarily where you go… it’s what you know.
And to increase what you know for where you go… keep reading. I look forward to opening some eyes with “why” to work out. It’s worse than you think… and that’s a good thing!