Saturday, Feb. 4 | Fun begins at 9 a.m.

FREE & Open to the Public — bring the whole family.

•  Free Food, Giveaways & Prizes
•  Free Cardio and Strength Clinics & Group Fitness Classes
•  Meet Your Favorite DJs from 97X, 93.3 FLZ and Mix 100.7
•  All American Cookout at Winter Haven
•  Cycling Event at Hyde Park Circle from 9.a.m. to noon
    benefiting Make-A-Wish
•  Free Hot Vinyasa Flow at Hyde Park through Monday

Hyde Park
1510 West Swann Ave.

Countryside
2591 State Road 580

East Bay
2178 East Bay Dr.

Winter Haven
505 1164 Havendale Blvd.

LFF Members: Bring a friend, get a fit kit!

Come eat sweat your way thin.

When you join a typical gym, you basically get access to a bunch of heavy weights and treadmills, and maybe some group fitness classes where everyone seems to know all the moves except you. The membership fee is just a pass to get in the door. No one tries to understand your goals or help you achieve your results. Sometimes they don’t even bother to learn your name.

So you head for the treadmills (cardio is good, and you know how to walk, right?), and after a couple of months or so of seeing limited results, you quit.

To achieve real results, you need help: help in nutrition planning, help in developing exercise programs, and help in understanding how the two work together to change your life.

At LFF, we are trying to make “help” a part of everything we do. We offer all members a free 28-day guide to help them understand the basic mechanics of nutrition and exercise routines. We offer free clinics led by certified trainers 8 times a week to teach members new strength and cardio routines. We’ve introduced 7 new small-group classes to provide more variety and excitement to help folks stay engaged and motivated. We also have some cool technology (both in-club and online) to help you measure and keep track of your success (BMI, body fat, weight, blood pressure, etc.).

Our advertising is designed to drive home that point: we can help.

We anticipated that some might perceive our ads as us making fun of overweight people. That’s not the intent, nor would we take such an obvious risk if there wasn’t a broader purpose. These ads are a commentary on how prevalent obesity is in our society: it’s as common as jokes in a schoolyard. In the midst of this joking and one-upmanship, however, one child chimes in and delivers a different message: his mother or father (there are two versions of the ads) has changed his/her life because he/she got the necessary help at Lifestyle Family Fitness.

We have been asked, why not just show before and after testimonials, or show happy, skinny people? First off, fitness is not a destination; it’s a lifestyle (no pun intended). Before and after testimonials (BTW – does anyone believe testimonials anymore?) suggest that one day you are overweight, and then one day you are not. It doesn’t work that way. The wrong expectation is set, and the victim here is the person trying to lose weight.

Secondly, every gym in the world shows “the pretty people,” and we believe ads that depict Hollywood-perfect bodies also set unrealistic expectations. Eating disorders and self-esteem problems are almost as common as obesity, and are worse than schoolyard jokes.

We have heard a few comments about bullying. Candidly, we did a lot to make sure that “no children were harmed in the filming of this commercial.” All of the kids are laughing, no one appears emotionally wounded, and there are no wedgies to be found. To be fair, it has been pointed out that “bullying” has taken on a broader definition over the past several years, so we may have to eat a little crow here: we did not intend to depict bullying. For what it’s worth, we air these commercials during morning news and late-night prime time, not on Nickelodeon during Spongebob Squarepants. But, ok, it may be a fair point.

We can debate many other aspects of these ads at great length and probably not agree on everything. We felt it was important to grab peoples’ attention in order to drive home a point: if you really want to see results, the gym is not a “do it yourself” operation. In the cluttered world of TV advertising, we admittedly took a few risks to spark this discussion and in the process, may have stepped on a few toes.

However, it is our hope that the larger message is also heard: behind everyone’s desire to join a gym is a decision to make a change in his or her life. That decision is usually rooted in a painful experience: being embarrassed to be seen in a bathing suit; not feeling thin enough for the upcoming reunion or wedding, or being made fun of by a schoolyard joke. LFF is working hard to provide the necessary help to turn those pain points into success stories.

So, now that we’ve put all this out there, what say you LFF fans? Was our risk worth it? We look forward to this discussion – please share your comments below.

Kick start your fitness habit, enjoy some fresh air and experience Fit Club. Come try a group fitness class, check out local vendors, grab a game piece and win some swag. Bring the whole family for food, giveaways and fun. Plus, everyone gets a t-shirt!

DATE: Saturday, January 21st

TIME: 9:30 a.m. – noon

LOCATION: Tampa Bay Times Forum — in front of the lightning bolt!

What: 2 ½ Hours of Group Fitness and Fun

FREE to the public — invite your friends and bring the kids!

Group Fitness Class Line-Up:

• BODYCOMBAT
• ZUMBA
• BODYCOMBAT
• SH’BAM
• BODYATTACK

Free Parking in West Lot

Just show up and we’ll help you with the rest!

Kick start your fitness habit and experience Fit Club at the Orlando Dance Party! Try three rockin dance classes, check out local vendors, grab a game piece and win some swag. Bring the whole family for food, giveaways and fun.

DATE: Saturday, January 21st

TIME: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

LOCATION: Apopka Lifestyle Family Fitness

What: 2 Hours of Group Fitness and Fun

FREE to the public — invite your friends and bring the kids!

Group Fitness Dance Party Line-Up

• ZUMBA
• SH’BAM
• BODYJAM

Just show up and we’ll help you with the rest!

LifeCenter measures your:

• Weight
• BMI (Body Mass Index)
• Blood pressure
• Body fat
• Heart rate

Maximize your workouts by recording exercise routines, long-term goals and boost your motivation by challenging friends to a workout for a little friendly competition.

See your hard work pay off anytime by tracking your progress at home with LifeCenter online.

How to Use LifeCenter:

In the Gym:

1. Locate the LifeCenter kiosk
2. Scan your keytag or touch screen to begin
3. Register or login to your account
4. Touch screen to begin first measurement
5. Follow instructions for each measurement
6. See all your results on one screen
7. Optional: input additional data such as cholesterol and blood sugar measurements

Online:

1. Go to www.lff.com/lifecenter
2. Register or login to your account
3. Launch LifeCenter and start tracking!

Make goals personal.

Whether you want to lose 20 pounds, fit into size 6 jeans or start eating healthy with a gluten-free cuisine — know WHY you are doing it. Is it for yourself? Your kids? To make everyone jealous at your high school reunion?

You’re more likely to reach your goals if it means something to you personally. Resolutions come and go every year. You have to decide is this YOUR year to make it happen?

Get personal and get results.

Set realistic timelines.

Let’s face it; no one (no matter who they know or how many hours they spend in the gym) is going to lose 20 pounds in a day. Results take time. Talk with a fitness expert about your goals and find out what is a reasonable timeline to see progress.

Make a chart and set mini-goals to keep yourself on track. This will motivate you and give you the extra confidence you need to remind yourself why you are working so hard!

Focus on what you can do today.

Create a plan and start with what you can do right now. If that means one workout for 30-minutes three times a week, then commit to that plan and build from there.

Depending on your goals, add more intensity as you build endurance and strength. For example, if you want to burn more calories, add an additional 15 minutes of cardio to your workout to get your heart rate up and burn fat.

Start small, think long-term.

Connect with like-minded people.

Find a workout buddy. You may be surprised how essential this can be in your motivation to keep going (especially when you don’t feel like it). How many times do you get home from work and say, “I’m tired” and just fall over on the couch?

If you make plans to meet someone at the gym, you’ll increase chances of sticking to your plan and pushing yourself harder.

In case your buddy bails, pack a gym bag and leave it in the car so you have no excuse not to get your workout in.

Getting in shape and living healthy doesn’t have to start January 1 — start when you’re ready and strive to keep your fitness routine year-round.

Game on, you’ve got this.

Not sure where to start? LFF makes it easy with QuickStart!

1. So fun, you’ll forget you’re working out!

Research shows that people work out harder when they exercise to music in a group setting with a motivating instructor. So turn up the volume, grab a friend and let calorie-burning begin!

2. Real results – can you say 600 calories?

Group fitness classes kick-butt and are backed by real results. From Les Mills® BODYPUMP which burns 415 calories to Cycling burning 600 calories to Les Mills® BODYATTACK at 730+! Classes are designed by experts who ensure moves are safe and effective for fitness newcomers to veterans alike.

3. Never be bored again!

Lift weights. Run cardio. Repeat. If this sounds like you, add some variety to your workout. Group fitness classes are the perfect cross training solution to help you prevent fitness plateaus and injuries. Your workout routine will never be boring again.

4. Meet new workout buddies.

Connect with people just like you who are looking to lose weight and feel better. As you begin taking classes, you’ll make new friends in no time. These relationships become the catalyst to stay motivated and stick to your plan. It creates accountability — so you can keep hitting all of your fitness goals!

5. Motivation, Motivation, Motivation.

Have you ever said, “I’m going to the gym today” — and never went? You probably have the best intentions to go, but may need that extra little push.

With group fitness classes, you have automatic accountability. If you want to make it to yoga at 6:30, you know you have to be there at 6:30. Would your treadmill care if you didn’t show up?
Start the New Year off right, find a class that fits your schedule — and begin to see real results. Lifestyle Family Fitness offers more than 40 group fitness classes.

Check out the LFF group fitness schedule here.

On the second day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 20 box jumps
and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the third day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the fourth day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 40 rip:60 rows, 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the fifth day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 50 miles on the treadmill (ok, not really, but it makes me sound buff, so I’m keeping it on here), 40 rip:60 rows, 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the sixth day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 60 deadlifts, 50 miles on the treadmill, 40 rip:60 rows, 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the seventh day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 70 crunches, 60 deadlifts, 50 miles on the treadmill, 40 rip:60 rows, 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the eighth day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 80 kettlebell swings, 70 crunches, 60 deadlifts, 50 miles on the treadmill, 40 rip:60 rows, 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the ninth day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 90 squat jumps, 80 kettlebell swings, 70 crunches, 60 deadlifts, 50 miles on the treadmill, 40 rip:60 rows, 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the tenth day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 100 bench presses, 90 squat jumps, 80 kettlebell swings, 70 crunches, 60 deadlifts, 50 miles on the treadmill, 40 rip:60 rows, 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 111 push ups (yes, I’m buff), 100 bench presses, 90 squat jumps, 80 kettlebell swings, 70 crunches, 60 deadlifts, 50 miles on the treadmill, 40 rip:60 rows, 30 striking drills, 20 box jumps and a shiny new fitness routine.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my trainer assigned to me 120 burpees that made me want to pass out, I mean shout for victory
111 push ups
100 bench presses
90 squat jumps
80 kettlebell swings
70 crunches
60 deadlifts
50 miles on the treadmill
40 rip:60 rows
30 striking drills
20 box jumps
And a shiny new fitness routine

After rising from my face-down-on-the-floor victory lap (that’s how I celebrate, or how some catch their breath), my trainer congratulated me and handed me…wait for it…a gluten-free cookie (with no chocolate) and said, “You’ve earned it.”

Yes, I did. I thanked him for all his amazing fitness knowledge and immediately traded my gluten-free cookie for a real chocolate cookie at Starbucks.

Merry Fitness.

– The “I’m starting before the New Year to get buff” guy

Think you’re up for the challenge? Find out more about personal training here.

Bob, his always cheerful clerk, invited his ungrateful boss to the community Christmas Walk to benefit the children’s home.

Scrooge was never known to be an active chap, the only running he ever did was from ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet to come.

One night, after an all-to-real dream revealing his miserable physical state and workout opportunities wasted, Scrooge’s heart began to race — he didn’t know what to do. He jumped out of bed, ran out into the street in his pajamas and asked his local Starbucks barista where he could get some Oxygen (he wasn’t talking about your traditional O2).

She pointed him to the Lifestyle Family Fitness and he got there just in time for LFF’s New Premium Program, Oxygen — a track and field inspired cardio workout that puts you in the fat burning zone, burns up to 450 calories, improves reaction time and strengthens your heart.

Scrooge’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed by members — he was spotted going twice a week until the day before the Christmas Walk.

Overwhelmed with joy by his new endurance and stress-free air, he ran the three mile course without stopping. He surprisingly declared, “Merry Christmas to all!”

His pure excitement may have burned more calories than his run.

And from that day on, “Bah! Humbug!” was a phrase of the past.

Exhale calories, find out more about Oxygen.

After all, he was nine years old, what could go wrong? According to his parents, everything could go wrong. Every day the phrase of rejection resounded in his mind, “You’ll shoot your eye out!”

The only thing Ralphie was shooting for was victory, so he set out to Lifestyle Family Fitness to take their new Premium Program, AfterBurn.

After school, twice a week, Ralphie conquered the “workout of the day.” The personal trainer who led the program pushed Ralphie to meet his goals with exercises using medicine balls, kettlebells, battling ropes, cardio drills, weights and stability balls to burn up to 650 calories.

There was no way he could shoot his eye out with such speed and agility.

The weeks leading up to Christmas, Ralphie’s parents saw his confidence and strength increase — was his Red Ryder going to be under the tree?

Christmas morning came and all he got was fluffy, bunny pajamas — how could this be? But wait, one more present was left. Ralphie followed his dad and was in awe of the package. Tearing it open with excitement — the time had come — he was holding his very own Red Ryder BB gun!

He ran outside, into the snow, to try it out. Ralphie credits AfterBurn for not shooting his eye out, but ended up with an icicle injury — so he told his mom.

Find out more about AfterBurn today.