A Better Fit

Jonathan Slain and Michael Hall change people’s lives one-on-one at Hudson’s Fitness Together.

By: Beth Newcomb
Date: 04/30/2008
There you are, struggling to get those cute Capri pants from last spring over your hips. With some effort, you manage to get them—sort of—up to your waist. Buttoned? You could call it that—if you’re willing to turn a blind eye to that muffin top you’ve got spilling out over the sides.

Now, you can do one of two things. Grab your charge card and head to the store in search of a new wardrobe with the hopes of concealing the love handles that magically seem to have appeared overnight, or take the money you would have spent on “fat clothes” and head to Fitness Together in Hudson instead.

Because for less than the cost of revamping your closet to accommodate your fuller new self, you could be sporting a trim bod and be back in the clothes you never thought you’d wear again—in just 12 weeks.

“We’re not just another gym,” insists Jonathan Slain, who, along with business
partner Michael Hall, owns the personal training facility that has become synonymous with the Ultimate

Twelve Week Transformation. “We’re also life coaches and mentors. When you choose to get started on a new path toward personal fitness and wellness, it’s all about helping you achieve your goals.”

Fitness Together recently helped sponsor a makeover contest partnering with Solaire Salon and Spa in Hudson. The winners are in the process of completing their complete body makeovers—and you could be, too.
But listen, it’s not cheap. Then again, neither were those size 8 pants you wore only once.

“Personal training is not for everyone,” Jonathan insists. “You have to be ready to have someone encourage you every step of the way, someone who monitors your food intake, makes adjustments where needed, and helps you to do the appropriate type and amount of exercise required to get you to your goal.”
And you can measure the dollars spent in items of clothing. Think of each session as one less designer top “on hold” in your closet.

To put it quite simply—this is not a “one size fits all” gym. Instead, the program you follow at Fitness Together is about you. The trainer focuses on just you when you’re there. You don’t have anyone to compare yourself to, but you.

“We only take about 120 clients on at a time,” Jonathon explains. “We don’t offer memberships and we don’t make our clients sign contracts. This is about you wanting to look and feel better and us helping you do that. If the time comes when you need to move on, then we want you to do that with our blessing. Once you’ve achieved your goal, it’s okay to head to a large gym to maintain your results. But, if you want to stay with us, you can do that, too.”

Most clients get started with the 12-week transformation. “Anyone can hit a button on the treadmill and start running, but what they don’t realize is they need to build muscle as well,” Jonathan says.

At Fitness Together, workouts are supervised by one of a dozen certified personal trainers.

“Our staff dietician, Carrie Wert, R.D., works with our clients one on one,” Jonathon explains. “She meets with you about seven times over the course of your first three months. She’ll do a nutritional assessment and have your blood drawn to check your cholesterol. You’ll be given a binder, chock-full of healthy eating tips and additional nutritional guidance.

Before you hit the ground running, you’ll also receive a complimentary mini fitness assessment and a training session. “If you decide you aren’t able to commit to the program, it hasn’t cost you a thing,” Jonathan assures.

“It’s a great way to try before you buy. Because we expect that when you do buy in to the program, you’re prepared for the commitment.”

“This is life changing stuff,” he continues. “We want to be there with you for that. It’s powerful to regain control over yourself and immensely gratifying to us and to you. It’s why we’re here and what we’re all about.”

And while every Fitness Together location is independently owned and operated, they are backed by the power of a national company with more than 400 locations nationwide. Jonathan and Michael recently added a second location in Chagrin Falls and the training staff rotates between the two facilities.

Workouts typically last about an hour, in one of three private training suites. “We don’t do groups and we don’t do shorter sessions. That doesn’t benefit the client,” Jonathan says.

Once you start, expect to put on muscle before you start to burn fat. “Fat burning only happens after muscle has developed,” he explains. “People don’t always understand that and can get a little disheartened, but it’s okay. Once you do put on some muscle, the pounds start to slide right off.”

Resistance training is the only way that new you will make its way to the surface. “Cardio is good for you, but you’ll never lose your gut with it. You’ve got to do more to gain strength,” he says.

And here’s the final caveat. During the 12-week transformation, if you aren’t seeing the results you should, it’s likely because you aren’t following the program properly. In that event, Fitness Together will give you your money back.

You, however, will be too busy admiring your “slimmer by the week” new self to ever think about giving up.
After all, you’ve got all of those skinny clothes in the closet, just waiting to welcome you back.

Fitness Together is located at 89 First Street in Hudson. Hours are 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday by appointment. The phone number is 330-655-9215. Learn more at www.ftohio.com.

Email This Story To A Friend

Your Friend's Email Address:

Your Name:

Your Email Address: