Indexes
November 21st, 2009
November 20th, 2009
November 19th, 2009
November 18th, 2009
November 17th, 2009
November 16th, 2009
November 14th, 2009
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- The country's mess is our fault (165)
- Obama is not a moderate (130)
- Sarah Palin's book hits the shelves: Locals react (70)
- Lodi City Council plans to cap number of taco trucks at 22 (48)
- The haves should help the have-nots (30)
- Public health care is a Christian option (29)
- Tokay in, traveling to unbeaten No. 3 Grant for football playoffs (25)
- Government-run health care is a bad idea (17)
- Young woman fatally shot at Acampo home (17)
- Sierra Adventure store to close after four years in Downtown Lodi (16)
ADVERTISEMENT
Maleia Nyberg works out on the stair master at Fitness Pro on Friday morning. (Whitney Ramirez/News-Sentinel)
Shape Shifting
As the new year sets in, more and more Lodians are looking to improve their bodies. Here's a look at the steps (and stair stepping) they're taking.
Maleia Nyber rotates from arm machine to leg machine in a circuit workout at Fitness Pro gym in Lodi. She moves her arms up and down slowly. On the last rep, she lowers the heavy bar with a learned grace and control. This is her routine. Nyber, 22, made the personal decision to workout three days a week, and this year, she's not going to let a half hour drive and being pregnant keep her from working out.
She's one of the regulars, but there are the shy newbies who have flocked to Lodi's fitness centers in hopes of losing pounds and toning up for a new look and feel in the new year. And, the months of vacations, beach trips and weddings that summer brings is only more motivation to get out of bed and hit the weights.
Ryan Koss, 34, started attending the gym right before the new year with hopes of getting fit for an upcoming trip. Even though he hasn't done his first session with a trainer, he still goes with his wife four days a week to "mess around" on the equipment.
"My wife gives me inspiration — and a little bit of jabbing," he said.
Staying inspired is key. From trainers to beginners and long-time gym-goers, the consensus is the same: If you're not committed, you're not going to succeed.
Dennis Kaufman, general manager at Twin Harbors in Lodi, who has worked in the fitness industry for more than 19 years, recommends making an agreement with yourself. For example, "I will go in and exercise three days a week for a half hour," he said, adding, "Until you're 100 years old."
Don't break a promise to yourself. If you are not feeling well on the Wednesday you're supposed to work out, Kaufman says, go to the gym and sit in the lobby area and read the newspaper. Or better yet, sit on a stationery bike and read, at least you will keep your end of the bargain.
Scott Kermgard's methods of motivation for going to the gym three to four times a week are simple — the mirror and the way his pants fit. They are powerful tools that most people pay attention to, regardless of if a workout regimen is in place or non-existent.
Unfortunately, the reflection in the mirror is not always flattering, and the way those favorite pair of jeans fit is not always looser. That's when it's best to start what Fitness Pro trainer Nicky Morton calls a new lifestyle.
"Start a routine, take it slow with guidance and work (yourself) up," she said.
Nyber, who works out because she says her family tends to have bigger genes, recommends new gym member mark exercise time on a calendar — and stick to it.
"You have to make dedication," she said.
Wayne West works out on the Peck-Deck with personal trainer Nicky Morton on Friday morning at Fitness Pro on Kettelman Lane. West is a newer member of Fitness Pro and is working out on a plan created by gyms personal trainers. (Whitney Ramirez/News-Sentinel)
"The first month is usually the hardest," Kermgard said. "Don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away."
Regardless of whether you have started a gym and quit, the trainers and staff at many Lodi gyms are excited about the new people ready to get in shape. They don't care if you have never worked out, or if you have been working out for years and want to try something new.
Everyone knows how people join the gym at the beginning of the year and then quit, Morton says, "but that's not how it is here."
Fitness Center Tips
At Lodi's Twin Harbors Gym, long-time members are bracing themselves for the mid-January rush of new gym members who are determined to keep this year's resolution. Blend in and act like a fitness center lifer with these tips:"CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?" If you must have a cell phone while you work, keep the ringer — and your voice — low. Also, check with gym staff for more rules on in-house cell phone etiquette.
A SLIPPERY SLOPE. Wipe off the benches and bars before you move on to the next machine. You don't want to slip and slide on someone else's sweat. If you are not sure if your new gym supplies small towels, carry your own.
OBSERVE THE TURF. Before purchasing a gym membership, visit the gym you are looking into at the time you think you will go most often and survey the surroundings. Do you like the atmosphere? Is it too crowded? Are you comfortable with the staff? Is it too big, or too small? What is everyone else wearing?
THE PUMPING QUEEN. Beware that just because you are in love with the new fragrance by Britney Spears, Anna Nicole Smith, Lindsay Lohan, Paris or whoever, not everyone else is. Go light on the perfume on gym day or don't spray until after your work out.
— Source: News-Sentinel Staff
A Few Lodi Workout Options
Twin Arbors Racquet ClubInfo: 1900 S. Hutchins St., 948-5397
Price Range: $30 to $100+. Membership packages change to include Fitness Works and Tennis Club.
Other: Swimming pool, saunas, basketball courts, aerobics. Large workout rooms.
Fitness Works
Info: 429 W. Lockeford St., 334-6224
Price Range: $30 to $100+
Other: A branch of Twin Arbors. Focus on cardio. Many machines.
Tennis Club
Info: 2040 Cochran Road, 334-2993
Price Range: $30-$100+
Other: A branch of Twin Arbors
Fitness Pro
Info: 1110 W. Kettleman Lane, 339-1200
Price: Membership packages starting around $30.
Other: More locations in Galt and Lockeford. Offer 30-minute circuit training. Personal staff.
Health Works
Information: Lori Black, personal trainer. 747-7840.
Price: $60-$90
Other: She goes to you. Offers packages for small businesses. Also focuses on eating, stress management, posture, sleep, emotional well-being.
Curves
Info: 400 E. Kettleman Lane, 333-1700
Other: Circuit training for women
It Figures!
Info: 14A School St., 368-6900
Price: $348 yearly. $29.99 monthly, after enrollment fee.
Other: Circuit training, spin bike, treadmill, dancing, strength resistant machines.
Fitness Center at Lodi Memorial Hospital West
Info: 800 S. Lower Sacramento Road, 333-3011
Price: $30 single, $50 for two-to-four people
Other: Post-rehabilitation fitness programs, cardio, body-composition testing
Fitness System
Info: 512 N. Cherokee Lane, 366-2800
Price: $39 monthly
Other: Spinning, cardio boxing, aerobics classes. Free childcare.
Jazzercise
Info: 111 N. Stockton St., 333-0460
Other: One-hour classes in jazzercise, body-sculpting and includes Pilates, kick-boxing.
Go Figures
Info: 18835 N. Lower Sacramento Road in Woodbridge, 339-2337
Price: $29.95 monthly
Other: Women's only gym. 30-minute circuit, cardio room, infrared dry-heat sauna.
Contact reporter Lauren Nelson at laurenn@lodinews.com.
Search for Ads 
Today’s Print Ads 
RSS Feeds
Reader Feedback
Comments on this story are now closed.