Picky Lanigan with Member Services Representative Jaime Dillon

Dear Worcester Fitness Fan Mail,

I joined Worcester Fitness in October 2009, the same month that I retired after forty-two years in the Worcester District Attorney’s office.

I am currently taking Water Aerobics and try to get in five classes a week. It has physically helped me with all of my aches and pains, especially my back and hip. For me, (it is) a definite stress reliever. It helped me get through a very rough time when my mother was in the nursing home and her passing in December.

Picky is a tremendous instructor! We get a good workout that’s fun and I love the music! I get to see my cousins, who are also members, every week and I’ve made a lot of new friends.

Sincerely,

Justine Walsh

Worcester Fitness member of 6 years  Bettie Andrews, sat down and told us some of her accomplishments after having just completed her first half marathon on June 13.

“I quit smoking on July 30, two and a half years ago.  To keep from smoking and, more importantly to keep from gaining weight, I started jogging.  I knew I could not run and smoke so that was my motivation.  My work was sponsoring the Canal Diggers 5K; I signed up and told everyone I new that I was running (so I could not back out).  After completing that, I signed up for races in advance to keep me motivated.  I have been a member of Worcester Fitness for just about six years.  When they had the 30 year anniversary 5K, I signed up.  When they were going to start a training team for the half marathon, I thought it would be great to strive for this (the most I had run before this was 6 miles).  The training was great and it was wonderful to have the team support.  Even though I was the slowest one, they still encouraged me.  I was determined not to let the team down; I trained very hard.  On race day I was soooo nervous!  But when I met up with the Team and saw that everyone was nervous I felt better.  I finished the race in 2 hours 45min. and it was one of the best days of my life-pain and all.  I could not have done this without the support of the Worcester Fitness staff and the team.   Thank you.”

“Sleepy,dopey and grumpy are my feelings when the alarm spits out the news about 7 :00 AM.  My next thought is, I NEED to exercise!

So… it’s off to the pool at  Worcester Fitness where Picky Lanigan presides. She offers us a variety of exercises such as aerobics, suspension, jogging, skiing  strength training, stretching and much more to make me feel better the rest of the day .  

Thank you Picky and Worcester Fitness!

Marylin

This blog post was submitted to me by a long time friend and member of my class.

Picky Lanigan

This blog was sent to me by a long time client and dear friend  Jim Cantwell.

Picky Lanigan
 
“In my search for rehabilitation sites following sessions at a nearby rehab center, I followed the advice of a true friend and sought out Picky Pool, knowing only too well that the name was not pertaining to billiards and other such naughty things. I had absented myself from any swimming activities after leaving my home on Cape Cod. The waters at Wells Beach were too too, i.e., the sound one makes while wading in Maine waters. 

At first I could barely move in the pool, but clung to the walls until I discovered that the water improved my balance immeasurably. I have also begun to swim more easily, partake in the exercises both with the hand bells and noodle, and on Thursday morning walking, jumping, thumping, swallowing across the pool. Without this program, I dread to think about the status of my walking. The improvements have been noticed by the many doctors that I see throughout the year.
>
> I should further note that the positive results mirror the quest of Don Juan Ponce de Leon in his folklore discovery of the Fountain of Youth near present day St. Augustine, Florida.
>
> Thank you Ponce from a friend of 75 years and 6 days.”

Jim Cantwell

The members are all members that are long term members, that’s what makes it feel like a family!

If you had an ear of the owner – what would you say?

“My Business – Erb Photography – was hire by Joe to photograph the locations of Worcester Fitness and Plymouth Fitness. Working with Joe was one of the best jobs we’ve ever had, because he’s the best client you can ask for. He’s detailed about what he wants and why, took the time to show us around, introduced us to all the key players- he gave us the tools we needed to be successful and to get him what he wanted for his business. He’s a consummate professional and knows how to bring folks together to make good things happen. He’s the kind of person you want to work extra hard to make happy, because he appreciates what you do and how you do it. I highly recommend Worcester Fitness to everyone I meet now. Because with people like Joe in management there – you know things are done right.”

www.erbphoto.com

“I’ve known Joe and his team from Worcester Fitness since March of 2003 when as a part of our Wellness program we have engaged with them to provide a fitness benefit to our employees. Joe had developed a very comprehensive customized program that includes not only membership to the Worcester Fitness facilities but also full medical fitness evaluation, monthly on-site meetings and programs of health maintenance, and even on-site Yoga classes! Worcester Fitness has an extremely professional, dedicated and proactive team who has been very responsive to our needs in the innovative and creative fashion.”

http://www.protectorgroup.com/

“I have known Joe for over 10 years during my membership @ Worcester Fitness. Joe and his team have done an incredible job at Worcester Fitness making it the best gym in Central Mass.

http://www.pjlombardo.com/

“Working with Joe and the Worcester Fitness staff a few years ago helped me greatly on my road to finally getting more physically fit and losing some weight. Joe made it very easy to sign up and get involved with a personal trainer who worked with me to make sure I was on target and achieving great results! Thanks Joe and Worcester Fitness!”

http://www.malofsky-schwartz.com/

“I have known Joe for several years now and been a member at the health center that Joe manages. Worcester Fitness runs better than any other fitness center I have been a member of before or have visited. The facilities are always clean, the staff friendly and informed, and the equipment always working and up to date. I attribute this to Joe’s overall ability to hire the right people and to communicate effectively. Thank you Brian”

http://youngstravel.com/

Worcester Fitness encourages you to visit our member’s businesses via their web site. Worcester Fitness is extremely proud of our corporate partners high standards of service.

Dear Worcester Fitness,

All of my life I have struggled with my weight but never really thought of it as an issue to be addressed. Everybody liked me for who I was so I didn’t think I needed to change. Deep inside of myself I was not happy with who I was but didn’t know fix myself. I tried Weight Watchers along with a number of other programs and would lose some weight but never enough to make a difference. After a bout with bronchitis I new I had to get serious about weight loss. I talked to my doctor about my weight and she suggested stomach surgery. I had told her I had just joined Weight Watchers.

My weight loss journey began in January 2006 when I rejoined Weight Watchers for the 10^th time. I followed the program and all was going well. I was losing weight each week. I walked everyday on my lunch hour for a half an hour. This system worked well for about a year. I lost 60 pounds. Then I stopped losing weight. Then I would gain a pound or two and lose it the following week. This went on for several weeks. It was at that point I knew I needed to make a change.

The change came in February 2007. I spoke with my cousin and he suggested I join a gym and hire a personal trainer. Not only did he suggest I join a gym, he researched all the gyms in my area and then recommended the one I should join. With that information in hand, I dragged my best friend to Worcester fitness on a Sunday afternoon for a tour. The tour of the gym was an experience in itself. I walked into a place I knew I did not belong. Exercise was something I hated and avoided at all costs. In fact I told that to the man giving us the tour. He said, “I would find some exercise at the gym I would like.” My friend and I just laughed as I knew that could not be true. As we were looking around the gym the only thing that remotely interested me was the pool. After the tour I joined the gym and the work began.

I met with a personal trainer three weeks after joining the gym. I was given a weekly routine which I did faithfully every morning at 6:00 am. It was at that point I realized exercise was not that bad after all. Don’t get me wrong, I still hate the treadmill but love the strength training exercises. Each week I did the treadmill for an hour for three days a week and an hour of strength training two days a week. Then I discovered water aerobics. The guy who gave me the tour said they could find an exercise I would like. I did. It was water aerobics. I added water aerobics to my weekly routine two nights a week. What a difference exercise made. I started losing weight again. I wish I could say it was five pounds a week. It wasn’t, but it was a steady one to two pounds a week. Before I knew it I had lost 100 pounds. That day was a great celebration, but the journey still continues on.

To date, I have lost 133 pounds with 20 pounds to go unit I reach my goal weight of 160. The journey has not been easy. There have been struggles along the way. For example, the first couple of weeks exercise and eating right and I gained weight instead of losing it. I didn’t always understand what was going on. Then there were the weeks I gained weight just because I was tired of doing what I needed to do. All of this being said I am happy with who I am and where I am at in my journey. I know that this journey will not end when I reach my goal weight. Then a new journey begins to maintain what I have lost.

When the new journey begins I realize the same principals will apply as in the old journey of weight loss to be successful. Those principals are Weight Watchers (where I learned portion control), exercise, and the support of my trainers, my Weight Watcher leader, friends, family, and coworkers who have encouraged me along the way.  Without these principals I would not be where I am today. With out the support of trainers, friends and family who offered encouragement and praise along the way I would not be where I am today.

Submitted to

Picky Lanigan

Water Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer

“My name is Regina Pratt. A few years back an accident left me with screws in my ankle and pins to hold my foot in alignment. At the same time I was also having radiation for a cancer lesion on my hip bone.

After watching me hobble around the house my sister Rosanne talked me into joining a water aerobics class.  This is how I met Picky. When we first met she encouraged me to try all the classes.  She said they would  help me me with stretching and keeping my muscles moving.  I was skeptical at first but I thought I would at least give it a try. I tried all the classes and was delighted to find out they really help  with my ability to move. It was then I decided to join Worcester Fitness.

Picky has classes every day. Each day has a different format. She offers aerobics, suspension and water walking.  I enjoy the people in the classes.  They are friendly and up beat which makes the classes fun.

With that said, I want to thank  Picky for all the physcial and moral support you have given me.”

Regina

Submitted to

Picky Lanigan

Water Fitness Specialist Picky Lanigan

Water Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer

Dear Worcester Fitness,

A member writes about her experiences at Worcester Fitness…

“What Aqua Aerobics has done for me?”

I started going to Picky’s Saturday morning class back in June of 2008 and I found that I could run, jump, hop, and skip in the water where I couldn’t on land.  By January 2009 I was going to the class on Tuesday and Thursday nights as well as anytime I had a day off.  I can do things in the water I can not do anywhere else and that empowers me.

I have lost 52 pounds in the past 15 months thanks to the aqua aerobics classes and Picky.  Every time I get into the pool I find more that I can do and it amazes me.  I have increased my stamina, strength, endurance and am well on the way to getting healthier.  I needed to get healthier as I was a borderline diabetic and severely obese.  With the weight loss my diabetes is under control and the weight is coming off slowly but surely.

I have since added personal training to my workout routines and have never felt better.  Thanks to Worcester Fitness and most of all thanks to Picky for giving me a healthier lifestyle that never ceases to amaze me and those who have seen the before.”

Water Fitness Specialist Picky Lanigan

Submitted to Water Fitness/Personal Trainer

Picky Lanigan

Dear Picky,

For quite a while we had exercise equipment in our home which it turned out to be the most expensive laundry rack we ever bought.  After deciding that we needed to do just a little bit more than look at the treadmill we went to look at different gyms on the theory that if we treated exercise like an appointment that we had to go out for, we actually might wind up exercising!  Of all of the gyms we looked at there were two things that impressed us about Worcester Fitness.  The first was the friendliness of the staff and the second was the layout of the gym.  After joining the gym we discovered the friendliness did not end with the staff, we have met a wonderful group of people who have actually made going to the gym on a regular basis an enjoyable experience.  What started out as an obligation has turned into something we look forward to.

Bob and Mary Barrett

Submitted to:

Ellen Green

Director of Group Exercise/ Worcester Fitness

Dear Ellen,

I wish to thank you for your time and generosity relating to the first ever Cycle for Sherry’s House event. It was truly a pleasure to work with you. All of us at Why Me are so grateful to you and the team at Worcester Fitness for the tremendous outpouring of support in creating this fundraiser.

Your initiative in planning, and putting together this event shows your dedication to our cause and is a testament to your character. I know there is a great amount of time and effort that goes into coordinating this type of event and for that we are very appreciative. All the cycle instructors contributed their time and talents to produce this awesome fundraiser. We are truly grateful for their hard work and willingness to push their physical limits to benefit the children and families of Why Me. You should be proud of the sucess of this event and I look forward to working with you more in the future.

In closing, I thank you and your instructors for putting your best foot forward. On behalf of all the children and families that Why Me will be able to reach through the proceeds of this event, we offer you a great bug thank you! Your assistance enables children’s spirits to be lifted and families to find the strength and resources they need to fight cancer, together.

Sincerely,

Danielle Perron

Public Relations& Event Manager

Becky Marrone

“I have been a member of your fitness club for a number of years now and within the last couple have had the opportunity to have my wife and children be a part of the membership. I really enjoy the cleanliness, the constant updates of equipment, and the social aspect with other members. However, that is not the only reason that I a writing this letter.

There is one particular employee that you have which has prompted me to express my feelings and she is a young lady named Becky. I have never met anyone as pleasant and personable as she is on a daily basis. As you can imagine, often times there are days when you enter the gym without the proper energy or willingness to work out, yet Becky always greets you with a smile and a positive attitude which seems to rub off.

My wife cannot say enough great things about her also making it very easy for us to leave our children in Kids Korner and even having our daughter’s birthday party there last year.

We have recommended Worcester Fitness to several of our friends and a couple have joined in the last year and they have expressed the same satisfaction.

In today’s day and age, often times people want to only point out the negative aspect of situations, however I thought that you might want to hear something positive about one of your employees instead. I am a person who tends to be private and not into any drama, positive or negative…I just thought I would let you know I really enjoy your club and appreciate everything you do for the members.”

Best regards,
“A Satisfied Customer”