24 Hour Fitness Helps Tri-Valley Residents Get in Shape

By George Walsh, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Autumn is quickly approaching and with it comes the holidays, filled with feasts and parties. Even though the warm months of swim suits and shorts are nearly over, getting in shape and staying that way are as important as ever. In addition to helping you avoid those extra pounds over the cooler months, a steady program of exercise can help you feel better and healthier, both physically and mentally. Just such a program is yours at 24 Hour Fitness at 5860 W. Las Positas Boulevard.

"We have a very modern gym," says Zarek Woodfork, sales manager for the 24 Hour Fitness club in Hacienda. "We have two rooms full of the latest cardio machines, a dumbbell area that has weights ranging from two and a half pounds to 160 pounds, and a wide variety of classes. We offer instruction in yoga, turbo kick boxing, Pilates, salsa moves, spin and cycle, hip hop, and more. All of the classes allow you to progress at your own pace."

24 Hour fitness has around 30 employees in Pleasanton, including eight personal trainers. "A lot of people think that they don't need a personal trainer because they worked out at some time in the past," Woodfork says. "However, even professional athletes use personal trainers. It's not only a question of whether you're going to hurt yourself, but what your goals are. You can get results a lot quicker if you have someone to help motivate you." Along with personal training, 24 Hour Fitness helps its clients to develop an individual meal plan. "No diet plan is exactly the same," Woodfork says. "We tailor the meal plan to the client's tastes. 70% of a member's results come from what they eat. You can come in twice a day or six times a week and still have your body look exactly the same because you're not eating the right foods."

One of the benefits of being a member of 24 Hour Fitness is you can use the facilities anywhere you travel, whether you're on a business trip, in a nearby town, or visiting family in another state. In addition, the Pleasanton location offers exercise programs for any child aged 12 and above and a Kids' Club that provides day care for parents who are using the facilities. "Our gym here is comfortable for everyone," Woodfork says. We want to get Mom and Dad in here along with their children."

24 Hour Fitness began with a single club in 1983. By the end of 1994, the organization had expanded to more than 32 fitness centers in Northern California, bringing about the 24 Hour Nautilus fitness chain. 24 Hour Nautilus later acquired Southern California-based Family Fitness Centers, changing the company's name to 24 Hour Fitness. The company expanded to Europe and began acquiring and building new fitness center chains in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark in 1998 and 1999. Clubs in Spain and Germany were added in 2000. 24 Hour Fitness has since grown to more than 3 million members in 340 clubs in 16 U.S. states and three countries in Asia to become the largest privately owned and operated fitness center chain in the United States and world.

Photo: From cardio machines to Pilates to personal trainers, the Hacienda location of 24 Hour Fitness has a full menu of exercise choices.

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