We live in a society passionate about fitness and being fit and trim, with the latest health, diet, and exercise fad displayed on the cover of every magazine. Some say running is the only real exercise, some swear by yoga practices, and others are dedicated to their heavy weight machines.
180° Fitness owners Pamela Slater and Mike Nishimura know that there is not just one universal fitness routine for all people. Both fitness enthusiasts originally came from big, intimidating gym atmospheres without much personal space or individual attention. “Pamela and I wanted to start our own fitness environment. Seeing what you like and what you don’t is important. I love training, but I don’t like the competitiveness that comes along with it,” Mike stresses. “We want to help people who are motivated to change their lives on their own and can leave our facility with a good workout and good information.”
All of the workouts at 180° Fitness—from the practice down to the music—are tailored to the individual preferences of the people in the class. The five trainers on staff take the time to break down the exercises for each individual instead of teaching to the masses.
“I started training at 180° Fitness about six months ago. I was always intimidated to go to a health club, so I never started,” says one client. “That’s why the setting of 180° Fitness is perfect for me. It is private and without crowds, so I was able to focus on what I wanted to achieve without being self-conscious. 180°’s one-on-one training and drop-in group classes have given me excellent results.”
Aside from personal training, boot camps, cardio boxing, mixed martial arts, Zumba, and strength and cardiovascular training, two of the most popular classes 180° Fitness offers are highly effective and unlike many other fitness programs. “En Barre” is a total body-conditioning workout that combines Pilates, ballet fundamentals, and isometric movements to challenge your body in a whole new way. Most of the moves only require your own body weight—proper form is the key to getting results from this method. Though some people may be intimidated by the word “ballet” if they have no prior dance experience, personal trainer Georgia Wiet assures us that anyone, regardless of age or fitness background, can do the moves and benefit from the barre method. Judy Johnson of Burr Ridge, one of 180° Fitness’ top clients, says, “For me, just looking at a dancer’s long and lean body is enough to make me want to take the class.”
Plyometrics is another non-traditional class that incorporates explosive movements, such as jumping and quick movements using your own body weight to keep the heart rate up and blast body fat away without integrating additional weights. Many athletes, especially boxers and basketball players, are now using this method to gain a muscular but lean body type.
Apart from the unique class offerings and qualified instructors, another important difference between 180° Fitness and large commercial gyms is its exclusivity. “We are always changing and always challenging. We are not stuck in a set curriculum like a big franchise,” notes Pamela. If there is a class that isn’t offered at a time to fit your schedule or you would like a one-on-one or small group lesson, 180° Fitness will create the class for you. All you need is a minimum of four people to begin a group class—one of the trainers will choose the right moves, equipment, and music tailored to your group’s tastes and needs.
Perhaps the most important goal for Pamela, Mike, Georgia, and the rest of the 180° Fitness crew is to encourage every client to feel welcome and comfortable in their facility and motivated to keep coming back, including teenagers, athletes in training, moms, busy executives, and senior citizens.
“They offer flexibility and a family orientation,” days Dr. Susan Nedza who, along with her son, has been a regular client at 180° Fitness since it opened. “Mike is someone who understands and adapts the needs of both a 15-year-old and a middle-aged woman,” she says. Susan’s son is not an “athlete” in the traditional sense. “But he became a confident, in-shape kid,” she says. “Last summer, he hiked 40 miles up and back wearing a heavy backpack. He wouldn’t have been able to do it without Mike.”
As an incentive to try 180° Fitness, the first class is free for all new clients. There is no membership fee, and all classes are just $15 per class (or $12.50 per class when a package of six or more classes is purchased). Since they opened their doors in January 2011, the whole staff has remained attentive, fun, friendly, and enthusiastic to help anyone along their fitness journey.
180° Fitness is located at 6300 Kingery Highway, Suite 218, in Willowbrook. For class schedules and specials, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/180-Degrees-Fitness/109795749090561, or call 708-906-4187.
—Rebecca Gibson
