Testimonials

I am 63 years old and have been consistently involved in fitness and fitness clubs for the last 30 years. No doubt the more we age, the more important a structured fitness plan benefits us.  I consider myself a disciplined person that has worked out with and without a trainer for over 30 years.  I see more value now than as a younger guy.  Keeping physically fit really does provide a better life style. Through the years I have had several trainers some really good and some just so-so.  Without question the best fitness trainer I have ever had is Jeffery Washington. Jeffery and I are now going on our 3 rd  year working together.   He understands the muscles and after he works with you a few times understands you.  He is good at getting rid of the “I can’t” in my mind replacing with the “I can” do it attitude.  I would say he is easy but hard.  Easy to convince you to work to improve and hard enough to push for really great results in improving my physical lifestyle. In September of 2013 I had unexpected open heart surgery, no heart attack, no chest pain but just an abnormal stress test along with a cardiogram that revealed that I had 3 blocked arteries and the surgeon just hours later operated.  The good news my heart was really in good shape. (Due to years of being physically active.) During that time I lost 25 pounds mostly muscle.  Physically weakened but mentally strong there was never any doubt I would return stronger than ever. I knew the importance of being in shape and having a knowledgeable trainer in Jeffery.  Within 3 months after that surgery I quickly gained my strength back and today I am stronger have better cardio endurance than I have had in years due to the recovery plan he put me on.  As disciplined as I think I am I know there is no way that I would be in the shape I am in before and after surgery without “coaching” from a fitness expert like Jeffery.  I recommend Jeffery to all my friends and my daughter Lauren trains with Jeffery as a member here at Absolute. Prior to him coming I would train where he was before (Even though I was a member at Absolute.)  Now I have the best of both worlds! A professional trainer that really knows what he is doing along with one of the nicest fitness facilities I have been in. When you come in the door all the staff is so friendly with a smile and a welcome greeting.  Paul the man who sees that everything is all clean does a really great job.  The facility is well lighted, the equipment is 1 st  class!  That makes a big difference on my mind and my muscles when the machines flow freely, smoothly maximizing my work-out and the entire facility is sparkling clean! Wow! Every member I have met here seems to feel just like I do.  I try to make Absolute Fitness the 1 st part of my morning 5 days a week with the enthusiasm of both employees and members they set the tone and gives me that feel good attitude that carries me throughout the rest of day!

In May of 2016 on Memorial Day Al walked to the mailbox and could not take a breath. Knowing something was wrong he drove himself to the emergency room and after testing showed 3 blocked arteries, he would immediately need open heart surgery. Al had surgery on Thursday and by Monday with Fran by his side he assured his doctors that he would make a complete lifestyle change and change his unhealthy habits of eating bad foods and drinking. Al says “Exercise and diet go together and Exercise is not negotiable.” We love to hear from Al and Fran when they said “the motivation we find at Absolute Fitness is Incredible…we can’t wait to get here. We do not dread coming to the gym. You actually care about your members.” Al has lost a total of 115 pounds and Fran works out with trainer Stacey Garmon who works on improving balance, strength and keeping her toned through functional training. They both are thriving and are very dedicated to their new lifestyle and have even created a cookbook “From Our Kitchen - Heart Healthy Recipes” I began APT classes in October of 2016 and this quickly became a regular part of my week. I had participated in various classes before as well as done workouts on the elliptical and other machines. While doing these activities I never got lasting results until I began with APT. I have always considered myself active as I have officiating high and college basketball for over 25 years. Over the years I had gained a few unneeded pounds and could never really get them to come off until starting APT. When I began APT I quickly realized that I wasn’t in as good of shape as I thought. I was 46 at the time and thought I could still do everything like I was 18 again. As I got into APT I began to see a difference in my strength and my flexibility. Most importantly I began to see those extra pounds come off. Around Thanksgiving of 2016 I realized how much APT was helping me and I made a commitment to attend at least twice per week. Since that time the results have been outstanding. Along with APT, I attended other classes such as Strong and spin. Both of these added to the results that I was experiencing. Along with exercise, I began to become conscious of my diet as I wanted experience maximum results. When I officiate games I can now move much better with around 15 pounds that are now gone. Overall, I feel the best that I have ever felt as a now 47 year old. Many people have commented on the weight that I have lost and this makes me want to work harder. My pants don’t fit as snugly now and have to tighten my belt a little more which is an awesome feeling! APT and the other classes have helped me to do this. Ryan Condy, Amanda Martinez and the other instructors are all amazing! They have been a great help and encouragement. I would recommended APT and the other classes to others. It only takes a commitment of a little time however the benefits will far outweigh the time spent!

Being from Louisiana and fully understanding how to enjoy cajun cookin’, Al Andrepont was never a naturally thin man. Out of high school Al was 236 pounds with a 54 inch chest and 36 inch waist. Fast forward 40 years, 2 packs a day of cigarettes and 3 children, Al continued to enjoy Cajun cooking at every family dinner or gathering, Cajun cook-offs and community service events where cooking for someone was part of the southern hospitality and a way to share evenings and weekends with family and friends. With all of that fun and hospitality can come with a price when you are not giving any attention to your health. Al was up to 342 pounds and a 54 inch waist and thought he was bullet proof because he felt great. Fran had experienced several traumatic events in her life including being in a mentally unhealthy marriage and at her heaviest weight of 180 pounds. After putting everyone else first for over 20 plus years Fran realized she needed to make a change and change she did. As Fran says “ I built a new person” through eating very well and exercise, being happy with a new career and putting herself first for the first time in her life. In 1996 Al met Fran…you could say this testimony might be a bit of a love story and it is but it is also about two unhealthy people loving each other and life enough to make a huge change in their lives to be healthy and fit again.

Once clocking in at 470 pounds, Lane Sitz of Gadsden used a combination of exercise, surgery and lifestyle changes to lose 250 pounds. In 2014, Lane Sitz was 40 years old, working at an unfulfilling job. He weighed a staggering 470 pounds. The Gadsden resident had struggled with his weight since he was a child. "If you name the diet, I have probably gone through it," he said. "I've spent thousands of dollars to lose the weight, but I would simply lose it and regain it all over again." His weight fluctuated into adulthood as he tried diet after diet. When his mother died, he gained an additional 100 pounds on top of the 350 he already weighed. "I felt miserable and found it difficult to complete simple tasks such as tying my shoes or putting on a seatbelt in the car, or even taking a shower," he said. "I didn't want to die young and I knew I needed to make a serious change if I wanted to get healthy." Everything - from work to vacation - was difficult and taxing. "I was tired of having to be restricted in everything I did, including but not limited to clothes shopping," said Sitz, who at that time wore pants with a size 60 waist. "I always knew I was not meant to be an overweight man. Something screamed in me daily for a change." For over 3 years I was a member of a beginner gym. I was not being challenged at all in my workouts.  I felt it was time to find a new home to workout in. After coming and using a day pass at a Absolute I was sold!  This gym and its staff has given me the challenge that I needed to get to the next level!  I am doing things that I never thought I would be able to do!  I am so grateful to have access to a place that has helped to completely change me! Absolute Fitness, you’re the best!! Now Lane weighs 220 pounds and feels like a brand new man!!