This month we are profiling two athletes of the month – Nick and Wade of Aprilaire. Pat’s Gym has a special relationship with Aprilaire, and these athletes participate in that corporate program. Each day, Pat’s Gym hosts Aprilaire employees for a special workout. Nick and Wade come to Pat’s Gym to workout five days a week. They both have been coming consistently to Pat’s Gym to workout, and love it. They have developed a great friendship, love working out together, and challenging each other. Wade and Nick are lucky they work for Aprilaire who supports their working out at Pat’s Gym by subsidizing the service, and by giving them time to change for working out and showering upon their return to work. Read on to find out more about them:
Why they started:
Nick: Nick started because he was out of shape and would get winded going up and down the stairs in his house. He had back pain and knee pain and wasn’t able to do the things he wanted with his kids.
Wade: Wade found that after he had kids, he had less and less time to stay in shape. He lifted in college consistently, and after graduating transitioned to mountain biking, sprint triathlons and running, eventually completing his first (and last) marathon. Wade found that he was getting more and more out of shape. As he was reaching 40, he could tell he was at a crossroads of getting it together or going to a point where it would be really hard to come back from. About the same time, the corporate wellness program was kicking off its partnership with Pat’s Gym. Wade was reluctant to try it at first because he had not worked out in a class environment in the past, and he didn’t think it was his thing. He was encouraged by a coworker to give it a try, and he is glad he did.
What were their goals when they started and are they changing?
Nick: His goal originally was to lose a few pounds and get moving again. He started with the intent that he would work out a couple of times a week. He was pretty much weak all over and was sore after every class. He realized after a few months that he needed to work out more often. Through the core strengthening and mobility exercises, he has gotten rid of his back pain. He has also lost between 25 and 30 lbs and is now able to do things he couldn’t do in his 20s. Nick tries to motivate his coworkers and tries to get more people to come to the gym. Nick’s goal next year is to beat Wade and Erick on the November ski challenge.
Wade: Wade had a goal to reach a general level of fitness and to lose weight. Wade had become overweight and lacked strength and cardio conditioning. After starting at Pat’s Gym, Wade initially gained 10 lbs as he regained strength, and then lost 30 lbs as his metabolism began to speed up and he improved his diet. He was very pleased with these results. Nick’s goals continue to change over time in small ways. After having gained a good level of fitness, and the ability to participate in most athletic activities, he is focused on smaller things such as improving his strength, balance and gaining more mobility to do exercises such as pistol squats. In addition, Wade wants to be able to press more weights than Nick can.
What do Nick and Wade think of Pat’s Gym, and why do they keep coming back?
Nick: Nick keeps coming back to Pat’s Gym because it’s such great camaraderie, and he hates missing out on a good workout. Having Aprilaire create an incentive to attend made attending a no-brainer. The classes at Pat’s Gym aren’t the silly boot camp style workouts with yelling to motivate individuals…..everyone is very genuine. The coaches are great and very talented. The community is great, the people are supportive and there isn’t useless equipment cluttering the space.
Wade: Wade loves working out at Pat’s Gym. He goes five days a week and has been going for 3 years now. There has never been a repeated workout in those three years. The workouts are always interesting, and there is a support that comes from the group. People expect you to be there and give 100%. There is also a great competitive (but healthy) environment. He loves working out with his coworkers and appreciates what they bring: Kelly on the run, Nick for sheer strength, Erick for calorie output, or Gretchen for burpees, planking, and ability never to give up – the list is endless. The programs are consistent, but each coach comes from different backgrounds and brings their own spin with them. After three years, he is always happy because the coaches are always throwing new exercises at them. Pat Gilles has created a great community of athletes and trainers. The gym continues to change and evolve in simple ways that keep it fresh and engaging while not moving away from the basic principles that got him hooked in the first place. When Wade lifted weights, he was strong but had NO cardio conditioning. When he was running he had cardio conditioning, but no strength. Wade is now in his 40s and has better athleticism than he did when he was in his 20s. He feels better, has more energy, and hardly ever gets sick. Wade firmly believe if he stays on this path his quality of life will be much better as he gets 10, 20, or 30 years older.
Both: They both appreciate the Pat’s Gym and Aprilaire partnership. They are fortunate to work for a company that cares about their health and quality of life.
