Fun to Fitness - Variety, Enthusiasm and Expertise Make Town & country an Enjoyable Exercise Experience

Leg Work – ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Jana Thomas, works with Town & Country member Deb Leiker on the Leg Extension machine.  Town & Country has several personal training packages available for clients at all fitness levels including one-on-one training and small group sessions.

Laura Straub signed up for Town & Country Racquet Club’s corporate challenge and assumed she would try a little of this and a little of that. Little did she know she would end up as an instructor of one of Town & Country’s more popular classes.

The club’s 10-week corporate challenge is a collaboration with businesses whose employees are encouraged to get off the couch. Straub, 41, Great Bend, began her challenge Oct. 1, 2006.

“I started with Turbo Kick because I had done a little kick boxing,” Straub recalled. “It was the instructor’s enthusiasm that hooked me. I would not miss a class. I loved it so much I couldn’t think about not working out.”

Next came the weights and then Zumba – an extremely popular class at Town & Country that mixes aerobics and Latin dance. When the instructor left last April, Straub decided to become certified.

“I knew I needed to keep up with my workout regimen,” Straub commented. “I knew I couldn’t go back. I have lost four sizes,” she said. If someone is trying to decide whether or not to get involved, Straub suggests trying an activity two or three times before making a decision.

Life Fitness – Ben Rice, a Town & Country member since 1978, enjoys a cardiovascular workout on an elliptical machine. Whether for individuals, groups, or even companies, Town & Country has proven workouts for every level. Fuller Brush is doing a kickoff early this month for the Wellness University program – a point system to motivate people to lead healthy lifestyles.

“People don’t think they can do it at first,” Straub explained. “But it is easy to catch on if you come more than once. When I first started in Turbo Kick, I was constantly stopping. But I kept at it. Six months later I can do an hour of Zumba and am ready to do more.

“Never in my life did I ever think about becoming a fitness instructor,” Straub said. “It is the best decision I ever made.”

Racquet club employees anticipate they will see an increase in Straub-like enthusiasm now that those New Year’s Resolutions are marked on the calendar.

“We always see an increase in January,” said Kim Grossardt, nutrition consultant and personal trainer. “There are the New Year’s Resolutions and gifts of health (Christmas gift certificates.) We may gain 50 family memberships.”

Jana Thomas, American Council on Exercise certified personal trainer and corporate wellness director, notes that the decision to join the club can be nerve-racking, but she wants people to know the staff cares and understands.  The club offers an orientation on the equipment for all members when they join as well as a health assessment that provides members with their body fat percentage, body mass index, measurements, disease risk and more.  In addition, Town & Country will also work with your business to help promote wellness in your organization.

“Wellness is so much more than getting on the exercise bike in your basement and sweating for 20 minutes,” Thomas said. “It is a balance between the body, mind and spirit.  I believe if you don’t feel good, you can’t be a good parent, friend or colleague.”

Strength Training – Linda Johnson, an active member at Town & Country, works her shoulders with personal trainer, Scott Wood, using the exercise ball and free weights. In addition to weight machines and free weights, members implement other training devices such as the exercise ball, Bosu ball, bands, body bars and more.

She explained Town & Country can help people lead a healthy lifestyle.  Each program is tailor-made for the individual, who may want a class setting, one-on-one attention or both. “We offer over 20 different types of exercise classes ranging from high intensity cardio in the aerobic studio or the pool to mind-body classes like yoga and Pilates.  In addition, we have personal training packages for individuals and small groups.  We know everyone has different goals and one type of workout is not going to be effective or motivating for everyone.”

Grossardt pointed out that when running on your home treadmill, it is sometimes difficult to focus on the workout. “You are thinking about that load of laundry or the dishes. You can think of 1,001 other things that you think you should be doing. When you come here you can focus.”

The important thing is to find something that is fun, both trainers emphasized. “As adults, we don’t make time for play anymore,” Thomas said. “And we should. We can help them find some things they want to do. We don’t just throw them onto the equipment; we find out what their goals are and connect them with parts of the club they will enjoy.”

Grossardt added: “We don’t want people to say ‘I have to go’ but rather ‘I get to go.’”

In Stride – (left to right) Ruby Brown, Mary Jo Schenk, Stefanie Black and Deb Leiker appear to maintain a natural cadence with one another on Town & Country treadmills during a December mid-morning workout. The women are actually utilizing the treadmills for various workouts. Brown and Schenk are dedicated walkers who were doing their normal workout; Black was doing a 10-mile run to train for a spring marathon and Leiker was doing an interval workout to complement her strength training.

The social aspect of Town & Country is a highlight for many people. New friendships are formed and customers offer encouragement and hold one another accountable to commitments.

A workout is also a great de-stressor. Thomas recalled that one of her clients was in tears recently. “Life can be tough at times,” Thomas said. “And this client just didn’t want to come but she knew she needed to. She felt better afterwards.  We see the smiles and the relaxed demeanor as they leave us and we want to continue to be a positive piece of our member’s day.”

The club caters to all ages – some of the older clientele swap stories in the coffee lounge after a workout and youngsters now have a new attraction.
Santa Claus brought a Smart Cycle that plugs into a TV but children have to pedal the bike to make the fun and educational game progress. Santa gives credit to Becky Henrikson for donating the cycle to the club’s Child Care Center.

Prospective clients are oftentimes surprised at the size of the 33-year-old racquet club and the wide variety of equipment and activities. Included are: computerized cardiovascular equipment, fitness gym, free weights/body building, conditioning, toning, calisthenics, yoga/Pilates, basketball, swimming, whirlpool, steam room, dry sauna, water aerobics, arthritic aquatics, personal training, ultra-sound 3D body composition monitor, racquetball, tennis, wallyball, tanning sessions and swim lessons.

Water Works – Dina Heier aquatics exercise instructor, leads an evening class in water aerobics. The pool at Town & Country was recently renovated. Along with classes, people can swim laps, take swimming lessons, use the new whirlpool, steam room or sauna.

Single, family, student, senior and corporate memberships are available. Hours are 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday.  To speak with a personal trainer or inquire on group fitness classes, call 792-1366.  If you are a business interested in a corporate membership, please contact Jana Thomas at 792-1366.