I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything you've done in my first 9 months with One on One. In February, I had a day off and stepped in on a whim, just to see what this place was. I'd noticed it while in physical therapy next door. Sitting in the lobby, my tailbone hurt so badly I could barely touch the cushions. And that was after two years of physical therapy, drugs, doctors, and pain. My last-resort recovery plan included a chiropractor and physical fitness. My first few weeks were daunting. Could I get there twice a week? What about work? Kids? Errands?Guilt? And can I really not kneel on one knee without falling over or do a single squat correctly? Top off the guilt with some gloom. Eventually you and John helped get me to a modest level of function, and things felt a little better. Then there were illnesses, travel, etc. - all the things that cause fitness ups and downs - but you helped me keep at it. Then this fall I noticed a few things. I could sit without pain. I didn't wince getting out of a car. I didn't have to survey the room for what chair would hurt least. What's more, is that a bicep muscle I see? An honest to goodnesss muscle?

I was a member of a 24-hour gym and was not seeing any results and lacked motivation. It was then that I made the decision to work with a personal trainer to help achieve my health and fitness goals. When I did a search for local places, One-on-One Fitness was at the top of the list. Just looking at their website (reading their approach, reviewing the Staff Bios, looking at the services offered) provided the affirmation I needed that I was heading in the right direction.

“Soon after I started working out at One on One Kym stopped by to say that I always seemed to be smiling. Last year after 4 ½ months with a slowly healing broken leg, any movement was truly pleasurable. But, that smile also represented a bit of self-satisfaction at getting the help I needed to get my leg and body back in shape. I have always been active and enjoyed outdoors adventures, but years of long work hours and other commitments had reduced my exercise time and intensity and allowed the pounds to creep on. I attributed my lack of energy to getting older.

When I started Group Training at One on One in 2012, I was overweight, had high cholesterol and lost my breath simply mowing the lawn. I needed to start exercising, but, like many of us, was apprehensive about getting started. However, with the encouragement of friends and neighbors, I decided to "show up." As I reflect, I'm pleased to say it was one of the best personal decisions I've made in my entire life. My health has improved significantly. I have lost an unhealthy 20+ pounds and have had my cholesterol and blood pressure medications cut in half!

One on One University has been a blessing to me. I entered my senior year of college with uncertainty about my career, but I knew I had a passion for fitness. Although I was earning a degree in Marketing, I wanted to meld my passion with my career because I know that makes many people successful and fulfilled with their work. Once I decided to spend the summer in State College, I searched fitness centers in State College on the web for a place of employment. Let me first say that my prior training knowledge came from a couple of bodybuilding books and tips I learned in the gym from friends, and I was misinformed on many things. I knew that before I could be a personal trainer, I would need to improve my knowledge and skill level in training others. Fortunately, I discovered the One on One website and the One on One University program.

General Douglas MacArthur, as he turned the final page on his storied military career, offered this somewhat somber observation. “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.” Apparently, he foresaw retirement as an uninspired, dwindling, and nonessential period. Not so for me! I view retirement quite differently. Closing one door only means opening another to new, diverse, and exciting opportunities. One-on-One was such an opportunity…it offered a program of inspiration, rejuvenation, and relevance. If one committed to their program, then one could enjoy a solid foundation for an active, vigorous lifestyle.

Following hip surgery and the appropriate therapy, I was in need of a program specifically designed to help me regain physical fitness. Kym Burke at One-on-One proceeded with great care and caution to alleviate my restricted mobility and to improve my muscle tone, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness.

When I first came to One on One Fitness, I knew I needed help. I was overweight and couldn’t climb a flight of stairs without breathing heavily. The professional approach and non-intimidating environment made me comfortable from the start.

When I first came to One on One four years ago, I was 50 years old and weighed almost 300 pounds. I had no energy and felt terrible. It was time for me to take ownership of my health and stop making excuses, which should have been easy…I am a shareholder of another local health club! Having access to a facility was obviously not the answer. I needed to work with professionals who could understand my challenges, see my vision and have the expertise to help me succeed. One on One has been the answer.

In 2001, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes widespread pain all the time. I was out of shape, overweight, and facing a future that included high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. I was in pain and unwilling to face a future that included medication and further medical complications. In February 2007, I decided enough was enough and started working out with One on One through my employer, Minitab Inc.

When I decided to start One on One’s Personal Fitness program in June of 2005, I was 44 and brand new in town. I knew the kind of life I wanted, but how to realize and live my vision was certainly not clear to me. I felt overwhelmed. I was overweight, anxious and not sure what I wanted to do with my life. Exactly two years later, I was three sizes smaller and enjoying the best health of my adult life. I was astonished with the results. The experience was so amazingly positive for all aspects of my life that I made a decision to become a fitness professional myself.

I’ve always realized that I needed to get serious about my level of physical fitness. I had always “talked” about exercising more and even dabbled in various DVD programs – nothing stuck and quite frankly, I hated to exercise. It was a chore and I often times found excuses to do something else. However, in the spring of 2012, it became different, I had reached a point in my life where my medical health wasn’t the greatest, layer in my age and my family medical history, I was slowly increasing my risk of establishing lifelong medical issues. That scared me. It was then that I started my journey.

I really appreciate Lonny’s ability to communicate openly and be understanding of the obstacles I sometimes face while still having high expectations. When I came to One on One I had been told by many therapists all of the things I shouldn’t do.

Have you ever been in a place where fear has hindered your desire to change? What did you do the moment came that your desire to change overcame your fear? I was in my car, after another lunch out, and decided I was tired – tired of feeling badly about myself and my habits. I had heard about One on One through friends and decided to stop by to get information. It was the best decision I’ve made in a long time!

I just wanted you to know that my experience with One on One in State College has been nothing but the best. I feel very forunate to have found and joined your fitness center. I have made great strides in my fitness level, lost 3 inches from my waistline and have noticed that my endurance level and strength is getting stronger every month. I feel better physically now than when I was a much younger person. I was diagnosed with depression a couple of years ago and I have discovered that my workouts are helping me feel better mentally as well as physically.

I’ve been working out at One on One for over five years. At the start, no sweat and no pain was my mantra. I started out as an overweight couch potato with serious pain from an arthritis-like condition. I was also a very reluctant exerciser who needed lots of instruction and encouragement.

First, I want to congratulate you on winning the 2010 CBICC Corporate Philanthropy Award. You have worked very hard to grow your business and your reputation…and it shows. I also want to say thank you. Returning to One on One was one of the best decisions I have made. Since turning the big 5-0, I had been biking four to six days a week, kept a food diary and lost 60 pounds. However, I knew I was not getting it all done correctly.

In 1989, I had some cartilage removed from my knee. It was a fairly simple operation, but I couldn’t get it back to normal. That is when I first came to One on One and began what has been a long, very successful relationship. Like many people my age, I’ve experienced a number of medical issues over the years. That first knee surgery was 20 years ago. Since then, I’ve had a disc removed from my back, heart bypass surgery and an operation on my other knee. In addition, I was in a car accident five years ago. I wasn’t injured badly at the time, but several weeks later I developed whiplash and the pain was miserable.

Another kind of success: Staying the course At One on One, we see many kinds of success stories. Some are dramatic and overtly visible in short time-frames, others are realized over years and decades. Lynn Myers is one such long term success story. She is a great example of how consistent exercise over the long haul can minimize the negative effects of aging and our environment.

“Nothing tastes as good as fit feels … but with the conscious change in nutrition, even the “healthy” choices are tasting better.” I could always stay a step ahead of my boys … until last summer when I couldn’t even keep up. As a coach, I felt I was letting them, and myself, down. One could argue that aging closed the gap and, yes, weight was holding me back. But I was determined to fight it.

I have known Bruce and Kym for almost 20 years. However, since I live 50 miles away from State College, I never thought that working with them was an option. What a big mistake that was. I have had many injuries over the years and they’re starting to catch up with me. The exercise I was doing on my own was probably hurting me more than it was helping, but I didn’t realize it until I decided to try the new “To Go!” program. The only regret I have is that I didn’t come to One on One sooner.

Your listing of February client anniversaries reminded me that it is now 4 years since my life started changing for the better when I walked in the door at One On One. My how the time flies– I’ve enjoyed every bit of the time spent there. As a result of your program and your highly professional and competent staff, I have come a long way toward reinventing myself and achieving a level of fitness that I thought I’d never see again in my lifetime.

For 14 years my two sons have been healthy, active athletes. Last April, Cole, then 14, had to have knee surgery for a growth issue and would have to spend at least 12 weeks in a brace. The brace was scheduled to come off in July, with ninth grade football starting in mid August. How would he ever be ready? Kym Burke, who was training my mother at the time, gave me a call and patiently explained that he did not have to wait to train…that One on One could work with him while in the brace. She assured me that he could be healthy, strong and fast by the time his fellow ninth graders were tackling him. Ahhh….music to a mother’s ear! It worked beautifully.

I just have to share my story because One on One Fitness has made such an impact on my life. Kym and Bruce have done an amazing job with this business. For starters, the trainers are professional yet very friendly. In the year and half that I’ve been with One on One, I have been pleasantly surprised every time a new trainer comes on board. I keep waiting for the one that isn’t quite up to par with the others but it just never happens! Every trainer, as I already said, is very friendly and professional! This tells me that Kym and Bruce have a keen eye and unwavering standards for the people they hire. If you are a trainer at One on One, you should consider it a compliment and acknowledgement of your excellent qualities as a professional.