The Philosophy Behind "A Lifestyle Revolution"

Lifestyle – the term is used a lot today to describe anything from a vacation destination to a clothing collection, but what does it really mean? When it comes to health and overall wellbeing, “lifestyle” takes on a very significant meaning.

 

In today’s fast paced, data-driven world, lifestyle is very personal. It can no longer be categorized into a one-size-fits-all way of doing things. Customer focused businesses are realizing this and tapping into the customization that today’s consumer needs. But the really forward thinking ones are also offering expert guidance and a network of contacts that are much more social than social media.

 

Since taking ownership of local fitness studio, move! in February 2014, owners Michelle Els and Sarah Jacobs have strived to showcase the facility’s philosophy about working from the inside out and have done so not only with the physical changes to the space itself, but with regard to highlighting the concept of the “whole.”

 

Starting with branding, Els and Jacobs, along with their husbands, Tim and Scott, who are also partners in the business, have given the company a new name. What was once move! the Anti-Gym, is now move! Fitness Studio: a lifestyle revolution. Why the change?

 

The owners wanted to project to the community and to newcomers to the fitness world that move! isn’t just a fitness facility that creates change in the body, but one that supports the body’s connection to the mind, the soul, other people, the community, and life as a whole.

The building blocks of move!’s core is found in its motto: Focus. Commit. Transform. How have Els and Jacobs incorporated this inside the walls of the studio? Former owners Aaron Ellis and Kurt Gesteland had put the building blocks for move!’s outstanding class offerings into place. Starting as a Pilates studio and attracting high quality instructors was the first step. Following that up, the former owners brought LesMills™ into the studio. Structuring the foundations of the group fitness offerings around “total fitness,” move! offers an array of strength, cardio, flexibility and high intensity offerings from a world renowned fitness empire. Gesteland, as LesMills™ master trainer, remains on staff, teaching both Pilates classes, group fitness classes, including the coveted BodyStep (move! is one of a handful of studios to offer BodyStep on its schedule), and conducts private sessions in Pilates. Evelyn Ortman, another LesMills™ master trainer, provides a little “edge” to the studio, bringing in BodyCombat™, BodyPump™ and pushing the limits with GRIT™, as well as bringing a little fire to her private personal training sessions. 

 

Who partners with Gesteland, Ortman and Els? Pilates instructors Terri Christmann and Nadine Kern give the converted Victorian space their own special love, working Mat, Reformer and Tower classes and giving that personal attention during semi-private and private sessions.

 

Long-time instructors group fitness instructors who have been with move! for years are certified in Spinning, BodyFlow, TRX, personal trainers, BodyPump, RPM, CXWORX, BodyVive, and the list goes on and on. The studio also got a “zen” facelift when Yoga instructor Hailey Buhler joined the lineup. 

 

Trainer Kara Olsen brings a little rock to the studio, with her POUND™ classes. The drum-inspired workout is set to rock music, and weighted drumsticks give the class a little cardio edge. Think it's all about the burn? Think again. The classs incorporates Pilates (a studio classic and favorite foundational fitness choice), isometric movements, plyometrics and Isometric poses. 

 

What then, sets move! apart from any other boutique fitness studio? Els and Jacobs say it’s the feeling of community. Clients know each other and instructors know their clients by name. They know about each other’s children, grandchildren, spouses, favorite healthy recipes. favorite books, doctors, personal causes, struggles. One of the instructors is a nurse and can offer health guidance. A nutritionist is a friend of the gym and is available for consultations And they outpouring of support, of growth and of commitment to each other is astounding. move! is about changing lives from the inside out. What better way to do that, Els and Jacobs feel, then by building a strong community- physically and metaphorically- one person at a time.