Press Releases

RPFitness Gives Local Woman a New Look on Life

Akron, OH (Nov. 12, 2007) -- A little incentive can go a long way: a play date with your children, a 5k race, a dress. There are many reasons why people decide to lose weight. At RPFitness, a premier adult fitness center in Akron, Ohio, it�s not only about losing weight; it�s about living well for a lifetime. That�s why in May of 2007, RPFitness launched a program to help new club members start the first leg of their fitness journey on the right foot: Face2Face.

Face2Face is an internationally recognized program designed not only to help new gym members lose inches and pounds, but to set them on the right track for an overall healthier lifestyle. Free to all who participate, it is ideal for every fitness level, whether you�re starting an exercise regime for the first time, returning back to exercise or a lifelong fitness devotee. At any level, it has the ability to transform lives.

Akilah�s turning point
Akilah Primm struggled with her weight for most of her life. Describing herself as someone who was �always big,� the Akron mother of four dedicated her life to work and her children, leaving very little room for exercise. In June 2006, Akilah�s father passed away. As a constant supporter of his daughter�s efforts to �get the weight off,� his passing encouraged Akilah to start walking at an outdoor track. But the crowds made her feel uncomfortable and the setting was not always safe for her family. One day, her children were almost seriously injured on the nearby train tracks while Akilah and her sister were walking on the track. The event shook Akilah more than she realized.

�I couldn�t run after my kids to help them, to catch them, to stop them,� says Akilah. �Thankfully, my sister reached them in time. But, I felt helpless. To me, that was it. I needed to do more.�

Soon after the incident, Akilah and her mother joined RPFitness and started the Face2Face program. At the first session, they were measured, weighed and given a tour of the facility. During subsequent sessions, trainers showed them how to use the cardio machines, circuit-training equipment and free weights. After their workout, trainers counseled them about the different ways they could alter their living patterns to create a healthier lifestyle. The tutorial included healthy eating habits � Akilah�s biggest struggle.

�Food was, and still is, a constant battle; I was so used to eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, even if I wasn�t hungry. If I was bored, I ate,� says Akilah. �The trainers at RPFitness taught me about healthy living habits and showed me how to retrain my body and mind.�

Through a series of five, one-on-one sessions, Akilah worked with personal trainers to evaluate her fitness level, set achievable goals and create personalized routines. After the first assessment session, Akilah followed the circuit-training, free-weight routines and cardio routine specially created for her fitness level. To make sure her healthy habits were practiced outside of the gym, RPFitness provided Akilah with an informational packet that contained healthy eating guides, exercise tips, training information and other helpful materials. When she visited the gym on one of her off-session nights, trainers were on hand to provide their expertise.

�They answered any questions I had. They encouraged to me to keep coming back and working hard toward my goal of losing weight. And, I did. They�re constantly encouraging you, constantly talking you up. I�m so thankful for them,� she says.

Achieving a practical goal
Her family�s support also kept her on track. A fun incentive came from Yatunda, Akilah�s mother. It was a summer dress that Akilah loved but never thought she would be able to wear: it was ten sizes smaller than the clothes in her closet.

�When I saw the dress, I thought �Wow, can I get into that?� I wanted to wear it to one of my co-worker�s weddings. The day before, I tried it on and it still didn�t fit. But, I was determined that I would one day fit into that dress. So, I kept going back to the gym, and two weeks later, it zipped up. I�m 32, and looking at myself and discovering that this person I see now was underneath all the time. I absolutely love my life!�

Three months later, 69 pounds thinner At the end of six weeks, Akilah lost a total of 33 pounds. She holds the record for most weight loss in RPFitness� Face2Face history. Today � 11 weeks after joining RPFitness � Akilah has lost 69 pounds. She makes a point to go to the fitness center at least five times a week and uses nearly all the amenities RPFitness has to offer, including cardio machines, circuit-training equipment, free weights, the banked indoor track and the women�s sauna. Accompanying her weight loss is a reservoir of untapped energy, a newfound enjoyment in going out with her friends and spending more time playing with her children. The lethargic habits that plagued her before losing weight have all but disappeared. Today, she is one of RPFitness� biggest advocates.

�If you make the decision to go, just go and give it your all. They�ll make sure you succeed. I always thought I�d be scared or uncomfortable because of what people would say. But, you won�t feel like an outcast because you�re too big. They make you feel like you�re at home. We�re all trying to achieve the same thing. Any time I get a chance to talk about it, I talk about it. It�s a wonderful thing.�

RPFitness is a premier adult fitness facility located in Akron, Ohio, at the corner of Portage Path and Merriman Road in the RiverParke Building. Open weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the 26,000-square-foot facility offers a wide range of cardio machines, a fully equipped free-weight and circuit-training equipment room, a banked indoor track and men�s and women�s saunas. Certified personal trainers are on site to help members. RPFitness offers a variety of group classes, including Spinning�, Yoga and Pilates, and provides baby-sitting services for a small fee six days a week. For more information about RPFitness, visit www.rpfit.com or call 330.867.2399.