Testimonials

After I had my daughter, at 33, I put on over 50lbs. Weight was never an issue for me in the past; it was so depressing. I had no idea how to lose it although I figured it was because of my diet and lack of exercise.
I knew of this co-worker who was in great shape and looked amazing. She would run a couple of miles during her lunch. I didn’t know her well, but I was tired of feeling miserable. So I asked her if I could join her…I made a ton of excuses to why I was out of shape and slow and how I would have knee problems, etc.. Well, my first run with her was awful. I could barely run a mile. It was miserable. But because I am stubborn, I wasn’t going to quit.
From that point on I would run two to three times a week. To consistently improve my time, I also planned to make myself run a 5K per month. The next month she and I did my first 5K together. I told myself I would run the entire thing without stopping, which I did, in just under thirty-five minutes. I was so proud of myself…but I was ready to do more 5K ‘s and beat my time. Each time I would shave more time off and after the first year I was doing my 5Ks in twenty-nine minutes. BUT I still had a problem -- I wasn’t losing any weight.
Finally, I started to listen to my friend…maybe she was right, maybe I needed to focus on my diet. I was ready to make a new commitment and over the next four months I lost about thirty pounds. I felt amazing and so good. I was now down to a size 8! But my good friend…said why quit…you should keep going.
She is very into the gym thing…working out with weights and running on the treadmill. I personally did not know anything about weights and only thought they would make you bulk-up, like a man. I knew I didn’t want to look like that. Eventually, I decided to join the gym…just to run on the treadmill during the hot summer months…so, in August of 2011, I called Ultimate Fitness Center and told Greg my plan to only use the treadmills.
After about a month of running on the treadmill and watching people lifting weights…I was slightly curious about the weight stuff…and what it could do for me. So I asked Greg to show me. Boy was I lost. Before I knew it, he was hired, and I was working a full-on-routine with this guy. The things he was having me lift and do was insane. But, like I said before, I’m stubborn and not a quitter so just pressed on. Also, his personality (a take-no-crap kind of guy) was perfect for me…because I could be in la la land very easily and he would snap my butt back down to reality with one loud “HEY FOCUS…NO PLAYING AROUND” comment….So I started really focusing and doing exactly what he said to do in the gym. But, again, the weight was simply maintaining itself.
Greg new it was my diet (that dang diet) and he wanted to know exactly what I was eating. For example, my whole milk - which was VERY hard to give up to skim milk, yuck! - and many other little things that added up. With Greg’s encouragement, asking me what I ate plus the hard work at the gym and running on my own…things finally kicked in and I started to really appreciate what I was doing and eating and finally seeing the MAJOR results.
The definition in my arms, legs and abs was so satisfying. People began to comment on how amazing I looked and how I was motivating them to change their lifestyle…it was so encouraging. Now, I’m a comfortable size four and feeling absolutely wonderful about myself and my workout routine.
This transformation could not have taken place without the help of my awesome trainer, Greg Buck at the Ultimate Fitness Center gym. Greg was amazing at working around my intense schedule and occasional mood swings. Being a wife and a full time working mom of a toddler, it was not easy to take on the new task of dedicating myself to an intense program of diet, weight-lifting, and cardio. Without the support and drive from Greg and his intense “stop your whining” attitude, I probably would never have made it to the end. Coach Greg is a serious individual and takes great pride in seeing the end results - which gave me the push I needed. I cannot speak for Greg, but from working with him, he seems to like commitment. I truly believe anyone is capable of making a change in their life. The question is “how bad do you want it?”.
This lifestyle change has done wonders and I want to thank Greg, my amazing friend Jessica for believing in me and opening my eyes to a new kind of living. I send a huge thank you to my husband, Per, too. He willingly went on this journey with me and his understanding and support mean the world to me. Oh, and to this date my last 5K was done twenty-four minutes, two seconds!!!!!

Katie M.

The Ultimate Fitness Center Challenge was one of the best things I have ever done for my health, body, and well being. The entry fee for the Challenge has paid me more dividends than I ever imagined possible. Greg’s and Rick’s help and encouragement through exercise nutritional leadership, guided me to lose 31 pounds during the Challenge. I have lost 77 pounds overall. When I began the Challenge, I was diabetic and taking medication twice daily. Since I have completed the Challenge, my doctor has taken me off the diabetes medication completely. In addition, my high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels have improved to within the recommended medical range. I have also dropped 6 pant’s sizes!
While doing the cardio-boxing exercising and running classes, my stress level has decreased. I have gained confidence that I could complete the Challenge and maintain my weight and exercise goals. Greg and Rick were constantly monitoring us as we did our runs and exercise to ensure our safety. Their nutritional suggestions played a vital role in my success. Out of all these factors, one of the most important was the camaraderie with the other Challenge participants and the friendships we shared with each other.
If you have considered doing something for yourself and family, join the Ultimate Fitness Center’s Challenge and create a “new you” for a better and exciting life. Let your friends be envious of what YOU have accomplished. Remember, we all are in this together.

Earnest “Tater-Chip” P.

A little over a year ago my husband told me about an ad he heard on the radio for a new gym in Bartow. He encouraged me to contact them and informed me they were starting a weight loss challenge in January. I was a little reluctant….I had previously worked out and lost weight, but unfortunately due to extenuating circumstances the working out had stopped and the weight had returned in full force. But my husband’s biggest concern wasn’t the weight that had returned, but the health implications being overweight brought with it. I come from genetic stock that is laden with diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease; when you are overweight with that genetic background it is not a good thing. Honestly I just wasn’t quite ready to make the commitment at that point. But the motivation came a few days later after having to visit my doctor. I discovered my blood pressure and cholesterol were both at a level that caused concern and my doctor wanted to start me on medication for the cholesterol. Immediately I thought of the 12 week challenge my husband had told me about. I asked the doctor to give me three months to make the necessary changes to my diet and exercise regimen to try and avoid medications; to which his response was “I’ll give you the three months, but you’re still going to need the medicine.”
I walked in the gym signed up for the challenge and haven’t looked back. Ultimate Fitness Center was a lifesaver for me. The personal touch they offer is something you can’t find just anywhere. When I started the challenge I weighed 160 pounds and I believe I weighed 130 pounds at the end of challenge. I say “I believe…”, because I’m not really sure. I didn’t win any money, but I gained something priceless…good health. What is important to know is that you’re journey doesn’t end when the challenge ends. Those same great guys that coached me and encouraged me during that challenge continue to encourage me today. I have accountability, encouragement, education, and friendships that I did not have a year ago. Currently I weigh 120 pounds, which is where I would like to stay. I am still on a journey and will be for the rest of my life. The eating habits and exercise routines that UFC has helped me develop are something that I intend to continue to use for a long time to come. Are there days when I falter….sure, sometimes even weeks, but I miss the gym and the encouragement that I find there when I can’t make it (not to mention that when you return to old habits after eating right and exercising, it just makes you physically feel like crap).
By the way, after returning to my doctor at the end of those three months I received a phone call from his nurse to let me know that my cholesterol had dropped by 61 points and my blood pressure was great….no medicine for this girl!!! Just gotta keep moving forward, each day offers a new challenge and I’m ready for it!

Allison B.

“My weight loss journey began on June 24th, 2011. It was time to take control over my life! I weighed 293 pounds on June 24th, 2011. On September 11th, 2011 I weighed 235 pounds! And on November 9th, 2011, I weighed 213 pounds! I reached my 80 pound loss mark in just over 4 months! Thank you, Ultimate Fitness, for making my dream a possibility! Now it's time to get back to work! See you at Boxing...”

Thomas B.