BY THE NUMBERS
Scott Hindman, insurance agent

My wife had been working with Al for about six months when she (and the family doctor) convinced me to start working out and lose weight. I had high cholesterol and my doctor was about to put me on medication. That was 3½ years ago. Well, my cholesterol went from 239 to 193. My HDL levels are great, blood pressure is great, resting pulse is good. I went from 265 pounds to 225 and never dieted; I eat whatever I want. I don't have to take any medications. Having a personal trainer is the key. I didn't come here to get big muscles; I came here to get healthier. I feel better, have more energy... I'm in the best shape of my life. Feel as good as I have ever done. Now the next step for me is to lose 20 more pounds.

IT'S A SOCIAL NETWORK
Susan Neal, RN

Working out is addicting. I plan my schedule around my workouts at Omni Fitness. This is my social time, six hours a week. It's a fun place. As I approached 50, healthwise I wasn't feeling great. I was at 147 pounds and I couldn't get up the stairs with ease; those few extra pounds just wouldn't go away. I wanted to look like when I was in high school. I lost 14 pounds and 12 inches in about a year (went from a size 6 to a size 0). I feel better. If you have a workout buddy, it's even better. It becomes competitive. 'I can do it 40 times.' 'Well, I can do it FIFTY.' Here at Omni, Al works out a personal training program for you and takes the time with you. It's funny that I have to pay to have someone tell me what to do, but it works. I needed someone to push me.

FEELING BETTER FOR LIFE
Cecil Shumacker, CPA

I've been working out here almost a year. I started because my wife is big on exercising and she was always encouraging me to come with her, but I never did. Then I read an article in the Harvard Business Review written by a guy who coaches Fortune 500 executives. His message was 'Five things that will improve your life,' and at the top was being in good shape. It made me think. Working out at Omni Fitness gives me more time with my wife and I feel better mentally and physically. There's a good clientele here, nice, accomplished people. I come about three times a week and work out with a personal trainer. My wife and I work out at the same time. She's more into cardio; I'm more into strength. So every program is custom-designed. Al always has a workout list ready for me, and it's never the same two times in a row. It's a variation of exercises for the entire body: torso, legs, arms... nothing is left to chance, and I always feel challenged. Al and Matt are very cheerful and encouraging.

BEATING THE 50s BLUES
Sharon Grier, Principal and teacher

I was going through those 50s mood swings and I was told that exercising would help. Also, I had high cholesterol and I wanted to shed some pounds. I had worked out at another fitness center but wasn't losing any weight. A couple of girlfriends had told me about Al and they hooked me up with him at Omni. I started working out here a little over a year ago and I have lost 25 pounds. My patience has improved 100 percent. My cholesterol is down (from over 250 to about 180). The difference is Al stresses form, and he mixes up training with cardio and weights. The variety has kept me motivated and I'm not bored. Al says 'You can do it' and he gives you that extra push. I'm here three days a week no matter what. I have gone from a size 12 to a 6. I have more confidence and I love the way I look. I get compliments all the time, too.