LifeWorks makes it easy to get in the exercise groove
By Ken McEntee
Fitness is an investment.
“How you live your life now is likely to affect your quality of life as you age,” says Karen Raisch-Siegel, executive director of LifeWorks of Southwest General. “If you start a fitness regimen now, you’re more likely to enjoy the dividends in the future.”
LifeWorks is making it easy for Mimi readers to start investing in a healthy future by slimming down its enrollment fees by 80 percent through the end of January.
New Year’s resolutions—and witnessing those extra pounds of holiday bakery in the mirror—may provide an incentive to start working out. However, insists Mallory Diebel, membership services specialist, most LifeWorks members say they work out mainly to feel better.
“It’s all about quality of life,” Mallory observes. “It’s not necessarily about wanting to look better or losing weight. Most of our members say they want to have more energy. They don’t want to feel tired all the time. They want to feel healthy. Those are some of the benefits of working out regularly.”
Joining a fitness center, Karen says, is a good first step toward feeling healthier now, and preparing your body for a healthier future. With a vast assortment of technologically advanced exercise equipment and a full calendar of unlimited group classes included with its memberships, LifeWorks offers options to appeal to just about anybody.
“The best exercise is the exercise that you will do,” Karen says. “The key is finding something you enjoy enough to keep going. If you haven’t exercised a lot, you can start slow and work at your own pace. Some people may be intimidated by all of the equipment. Don’t worry—our highly trained fitness specialists are available to develop a program specifically for you and to offer advice about how to reach your personal goals.”
If you want to take it up a notch, LifeWorks also offers personal training services.
“Part of staying motivated to workout is going to a place where you feel comfortable,” Karen says. “We go out of our way to help our members stay committed to success. Being owned by Southwest General Health Center, we are credible and trustworthy, and have a high expectation for the best quality equipment, amenities and knowledge. Here, fitness is medicine.”
LifeWorks’ rewards program provides additional motivation to work out. Points earned for showing up can be redeemed for guest passes, massage discounts and other perks.
Dedicated to remaining a community fitness leader, LifeWorks is constantly looking at new innovations and ways to improve its services, Karen says.
One example is the recent introduction of the Rock Steady Boxing program for people with Parkinson’s disease. Studies have shown that rigorous exercise—like the workouts used by boxers—may actually slow the progression of Parkinson’s.
“The Rock Steady instructor, Sarah Fox, is very passionate about the program and approached us about offering it,” Karen says. “It started in September and we now have more than 20 ‘boxers’ in the class. We offer the program to people in any stage of Parkinson’s.”
Adults of any stage of fitness can take advantage of LifeWorks’ 80 percent off enrollment fee through the end of January by bringing the coupon on this page to the fitness center, located at 7390 Old Oak Blvd., in Middleburg Heights. You can learn more about LifeWorks by visiting LifeworksFitness.net, or by calling 440-816-4214.