Just about a year ago, Michelle Orr found herself in Peru, climbing a mountain more than 10,000 feet above sea level. But she was able to reach the summit, with a little help. "[My friends] literally pushed me to the top," she said. But even before heading to South America, she had help from a friend back home, personal trainer Errol Chung. He and the rest of the team at New Canaan's Fitness Together have helped her lose more than 70 pounds since she joined.
After she shared her story with me, Errol immediately urged Michelle to return to work. Such is life at Fitness Together. Although the gym is part of a national chain, the trainers' focus is personal and local. Owner Sue Teoli insists every client set a weight-loss goal, and then goes about tailoring an exercise and nutrition program to help them reach it. "Once people join, they pretty much want to stay," she said. "It's a good atmosphere, I have excellent trainers. It's a happy mood here."
Because of this personal focus, they try to serve the entire New Canaan community. They have special packages for senior citizens and students. Some trainers, like Errol, have pre- and post-natal certification to design workouts specifically for new and expecting mothers. And Teoli, who dealt with an ankle injury last year, even redesigns programs for clients who are injured.
"If you go to [another gym], you're going to pay more. And I don't want to say their trainers are bad, but you're not going to get 100 percent attention," she said. "They have to share equipment with other trainers, they stop to chit-chat.... Here, you have 150 percent attention."
Teoli and her team are also starting new programs to help fight a growing problem in the U.S., diabetes. They'll offer steep discounts to clients with Type 2 diabetes, and design special diet and exercise programs. But they shouldn't expect to be treated more lightly than Teoli's other clients. "If you're diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you got there pretty much by not taking care of yourself," said. "We hold you accountable."
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