Dave Scores Touchdown

When Center for Fitness member Dave Novak decided to join 12 years ago, he was raring to go. He knew exactly what he needed to work on. “I wasn’t very flexible and wanted to become more active,” the Forest Park resident said determinedly.

But, as is happens with so many, his demanding work schedule got in the way. As his free time dwindled, so did his visits to the Center for Fitness. “I wanted to exercise; but was in sore need of motivation to keep me coming,” he said. Just as he was about to give up his goal of feeling and looking better, he noticed one of the free workout-incentive programs the Fitness Center regularly offers.

Busting out of the same old routine

Determined to give it his best effort, Dave enrolled in the incentive program that was designed to encourage members to break out of their ‘same-old’ fitness routines and try new classes and equipment. “I tried aerobics and even aqua classes, which was really new for me,” said the masculine husband and father. “You need to check your ego at the door, and just let all those negative thoughts go.”

At the end of the six-week incentive, much to everyone’s surprise, Dave sat atop the leader board a full 250 points ahead of everyone else! Dave says the encouragement to try different types of exercise was a huge help. Dave, who is a huge fan of the ABC cycling classes that take place in the small exercise studio, said that structure of this class is what keeps him coming back. “You’re not just a body walking through the door, you’re part of a family.”

Easy as ABC!

ABC instructors keep the group motivated by asking trivia questions and allowing the cyclist with the correct answer to select the level of difficulty. “It keeps the members engaged and their minds off the time,” said Ursula Dams, Assistant Director and ABC class instructor, Gottlieb Center for Fitness. Dave agreed, “All of a sudden an hour’s over? I can’t believe it!”

Dave now comes to the center at least four times a week, and recruited his wife to join as well. “If you hit a roadblock and become unmotivated, like I did, don’t give up,” he advised. “Try new classes or programs, or talk to a staff member. All the resources, and motivation, are definitely here!”