First off, thank you Kerry for asking me to be Member of the Month, which of course I have gladly accepted.
On August 9, 2010, I walked into what is now 212 Health and Performance. Little did I know at the time, but it was a decision that would change my life. I met Kerry and he hooked me up with Sean, who proceeded to take me through some drills. I had always worked out and felt I was pretty strong and in good shape. Sean helped me understand that there was a whole lot more to being strong than doing squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses (which are the only three lifts I did for years at my prior gym).
But my story with 212 did not actually start on August 9th. It started in February 2010 where I met Steve Magnelli, Courtney Lacerda, and 7 other gym-goers at a Target Focus Training (TFT) seminar. While working in groups performing the TFT drills, I got to know most of the 212’ers there. I let it be known that I had been doing some work with kettlebells since I picked a few up of my own back in 2002. Steve, with all the tact he could muster, said exactly this: “You should come by the gym, we’ll show you how to lift kettlebells correctly.” If you know me at all, you know THAT was all I needed to hear! Well it may have taken me six months to finally get around to it, but I did indeed make the trip and I have never looked back.
So…what is 212? First and foremost, it is a place where you can get strong, fit, and conditioned. If you are committed to working hard at the training programs set forth by the trainers, I guarantee that you will leave there stronger and in better shape than when you entered, and with no regrets. But there is more to it than that. So, what is 212 REALLY about? I think the word that describes it best is “Family.” That sense begins with Kerry and permeates through Heather and each and every trainer and employee. The sense that you belong there and that people care about whether you succeed or not, no matter what your goal. Any trainer will help you with anything at any time because there is no parochial feeling about working with a particular trainer. Try THAT at another gym! Lastly, the sense that everyone is in it together does not start and end with the staff, it also extends to the members. Some of the training programs are both mentally and physically challenging, but when you see someone else in as much discomfort as you are keep that look of grit and determination and refuse to succumb, it makes a difference. All in all, there is a feeling that people at 212 care about you.
I would be remiss if I had this space and indicated that 212 changed my life and not mention why. As great as it has been to work into the best shape of my life and break every lifting PR I had ever attained in the past, the real change in my life that 212 has provided to me is the people that I have met. I must mention Julie, my very first 212 friend back when I did not know anyone, she was there with me every day, figuring out this kettlebell stuff. And then there are those I am sure will be friends for life in Shannon, Jimmy, Matt, Courtney, Erin, Nelson, and Lauren. I cannot imagine my life now without you in it, and thankfully I don’t have to. And lastly for Roxanne to have taken the gym and everything it stands for seriously has just been a big bonus.
By the way, Steve was right, I had not been lifting kettlebells correctly after all! But I have studied form for years now and if I feel maybe you need a tip, don’t worry, I will be right over!