1Q Amplifier
NOW THAT 2018 HAS ROLLED AROUND AND RESOLUTIONS TO LOSE WEIGHT HAVE TIPPED THE SCALES (NO PUN INTENDED), GYM MEMBERSHIPS ARE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF. YES, THE $84 BILLION DOLLAR FITNESS INDUSTRY IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE, ESPECIALLY NOW AS 1 IN 5 AMERICANS HEAD TO THE GYM.
In the spirit of fitness, it dawned on us that the people who run these facilities play such integral roles in making gym visits and memberships a positive experience. They serve as our security blanket—spending long hours to plan the right programs and get the staff trained, ready, and up to speed on the latest and greatest equipment and offerings to keep us coming back. It doesn’t matter if they are running a traditional fitness center or a niche health club; they are the glue that keeps it all together.
We wanted to dig a little deeper and understand with all that they do, can they practice work life balance and actually live a healthy lifestyle too?
We are excited to have spent time talking to someone who does. Our 1st Quarter AMPLIFIER, Joe Major, General Manager (GM) at Sport Fit Bowie in Bowie, Maryland has spent many years in the fitness industry and has found a way to balance it all through his own health and wellness practices.
Joe is a native of western New York, where he lived most of his life. An army veteran, he’s had a passion for health and fitness for more than 25 years. After graduating from Howard University, he was a television sportscaster and managed sports clubs in Buffalo. Eventually, his passion for health and fitness led him to Miami and Washington, D.C. to manage sports clubs and ultimately to Maryland where he oversees Sport Fit (Bowie) as GM.
Take a look at our interview with Joe as he shares his insights on health and wellness.
1. What is wellness to you?
(JM) Wellness is mind-body. It’s not only a physical situation. It’s what you do and how you feel. It is a symbolic relationship between your mind and your body.
2. Why is it important to you?
(JM) Simply said, it gets me through my day.
3. What are some activities or regiments you’ve put in place to help you live healthier?
(JM) I’m CrossFit certified and love the “Tribe” blend of CrossFit (high intensity with low impact) for 40 minutes twice weekly. On the weekends, I lift weights. As I’ve gotten older, I’m realizing that flexibility is more important than ever. My goal this year is to do yoga once per week.
4. Obviously, you work in a gym. Have you noticed any trends in your field that could benefit others? (New workouts, new equipment or types of members coming in?)
(JM) Everything now tends to trend toward millennials. They tend to want quick solutions so we’ve added 30-minute classes instead of just 60 or 90 minute classes. Our club is half tennis, half fitness. We tend to trend more to the older population who love the sport of tennis too. Our challenge is introducing the sport to millennials. We’re planning some fun, family-oriented events as well as some up-tempo midnight tennis with a DJ to attract the younger crowd and make it fun.
5. Assuming the job of a General Manager keeps you busy. How are you able to find time to exercise?
(JM) I have to exercise early! I found that if I don’t plan my days and start early, my body is completely ‘off’ throughout the rest of the day. I workout at 7 a.m. and it gives me energy and clarity. I have rediscovered tennis, which I used to play in college. I hadn’t played in 30 years, but since the club offers it, I absolutely love playing again.
6. Talk to us about your eating habits. Do you follow any specific diets or eating styles?
(JM) First off, I am like 99% of the population….NORMAL. Most would assume that because I run a gym, I eat clean all of the time. I don’t. My wife and I eat out and I have cheat days! I remember going to my doctor once and he told me that I was a bit overweight. I took it to heart and began eating more salads and trying to eat clean. As a result, I lost 20 pounds. I don’t have a specific recipe—I still drink coffee and occasionally Chic Fil-A like most Americans (although it’s the salad).
7. What advice do you have for people who are considering joining a gym?
(JM) For me, I had to strip my ego and acknowledge what I wasn’t good at. I had to get to the goal by addressing those issues. I knew that I am not as a flexible as I used to be so I’m addressing it. If you have problems with your achilles, achy back—whatever it is—use the gym to address those issues.
8. Why should people select SportFit Bowie to partner with on their fitness journey?
(JM) People should come to Sport Fit Bowie because whatever you are trying to do, lose weight, find a friend, engage in a sport or activity, or do something with the entire family, this is YOUR place. We are like the old television show, “Cheers.” We want to know your name. My goal is to make sure that this place [SportFit Bowie] is your place. Whatever you are trying to achieve, you can do it here. We want to help you live a better life—pain free and enjoyable.
Thanks to Joe and the team at Sport Fit Bowie for their efforts to help us achieve our health and wellness goals!
To find out how WellnessAMPED can help you amplify your company’s culture through custom wellness programs, email us at contact@wellnessamped.com.