Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of our long-standing and cherished members, Karen. With her passion for Pilates and an inspiring fitness journey, Karen embodies the spirit of our Element Fitness Health Club community.
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what initially brought you to Element Fitness Health Club?
I am married and my only child is my beloved furson, Sarge, an English Staffie. I used to work in the private sector ASX top 100 listed companies but now work for State Government in a central agency looking after the ‘money man’, our Treasurer.
While I enjoy strength and boxing classes, reformer pilates and dancing, I am also an avid cook, foodie fanatic and painter, and love to instagram pictures of my meals. There lies the conundrum of balancing exercise and enjoying food. I used to be a regular gym attendee in my early years but became infrequent over time with increasing workload and pressure, and then fell ill. I realised I needed to get back to a consistent fitness regime if I wanted to get myself back on the road to better health and fitness. I started an exercise regime through strength classes but realised I wasn’t stretching enough and was becoming increasingly stiff and sore over time which continued to build up.
This resulted in me requiring lots of physio and clinical pilates. I subsequently decided to look for a reformer pilates studio which was more affordable and had more flexibility with the number of classes on offer. I did a google search and found Elements Fitness Health Club. This was originally a Fitness First gym that I joined when it first opened many years ago, and it felt familiar, so I came to have a look at the gym. I met Joey and found him to be friendly and helpful and liked the look of the reformer pilates room, and the rest is history.
2. What were your fitness goals when you first joined, and how have they evolved over time?
Initially I simply wanted to stretch and limber up my body so I didn’t feel so sore all the time. I found the reformer pilates lessons to be awkward, wondering if I would be able to execute the required moves and improve over time. However, with the support of the instructors who modified the exercises for my capability and the members who were warm, friendly and supportive, I built strength and flexibility over time. I enjoy my classes and the lessons are varied and challenging, we are exposed to more variety in our lessons with the diversity of instructors, and the classes are fun.
3. Can a couple of specific accomplishments or milestones you’ve reached since joining us?
I have improved and gained some core strength (small gains as they might be), and I am constantly sore in my core. I have improved my flexibility and strength and this has contributed towards improving my strength lifting skills. I have stopped getting backaches, I know how to stretch better and I simply miss my classes when I cant attend them.
4. What’s your favourite 3 things about Element Fitness Health Club?
The instructors and members – they are warm, friendly and supportive and I have developed some close relationships with some of them. The staff – they are always available to help me with any queries and assistance I need. The gym cant function unless you have staff that care and want to help. The gym – over time, the owners have invested in upgrading the equipment which is a massive process, and I look forward to the improvements and new equipment every time I am there. The sound system is awesome, thank you.
5. Can you tell us about a memorable experience or a favourite moment you’ve had at the gym?
Too many … some members have become my friends over time, and we have a whatsapp group so we know who will be attending a class. We often set up the beds for each other and once I was rushing from work to get to class and was about to jump into my car to head to class but the instructor was sick and the class was cancelled. While I did see the message, it didn’t register and I simply replied I am running late and jumped into the car to drive up. Someone had to call me to not come …. as I was always looking forward to coming to class, I didn’t realised the class was cancelled. Sometimes, you may come into the studio and all the beds have been set up as a number of us regulars are attending the same class…. and it may be confusing for other members, hahah..
6. How do you stay motivated to maintain a consistent workout routine?
The warmth and competence of our instructors, the wide number and variety of classes we have and the members that come to reformer pilates.
7. What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting their Reformer Pilates fitness journey?
Come with an open mind, don’t worry too much if everything feels weird and awkward initially, once you become familiar, it will all come together as you gain confidence. Come and have fun. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
8. How has being a part of the Element Fitness Health Club community impacted your fitness journey?
This has had an immensely positive impact on my fitness journey and I couldn’t imagine not coming to reformer pilates – it is the best thing anyone can do when developing a fitness regime. 9. What would you say to someone considering joining our Reformer Pilates classes at Element Fitness Health Club? Come, come, come (or lai, lai, lai in mandarin (practice makes perfect for me)). Want to limber your body and build core strength? Want to work out with a real life human instructor and not a screen? Give it a go and see what you think. You will love the diversity of our instructors, supportive staff and friendly members. We are the reformer family at Elements Fitness Health Club.