3 Minutes on a Park Bench with Sue from HealthTrack Sports Wellness

Patch: What is your definition of fitness?

Sue: Our definition is working towards a better you with activity which always improves an individual’s mental and physical wellness. Pushing to new levels of activity will have even better results. Any type of activity is better than none but the other part of fitness is attitude, living in the now and with positivity is key to overall mental and physical fitness.

Patch: If you had to recommend someone three books, what would they be and why?

Sue: Strength Training Anatomy by Frederick Delavier. It is a great guide and it’s easy to understand for general movement, toning and strength.

Patch: What type of facilities does HealthTrack offer?

Sue: We are an all-inclusive health, fitness and tennis club. Included with our membership is a huge array of group fitness classes; Yoga, Pilates, Cardio and Weight Training classes, Water Aerobics, Spin and Zumba. We have two pools and 2 Jacuzzis, tennis courts, a track, a gym, a Day Spa, a Children’s Activity Center and full service locker rooms including towel service, sauna, steam room and all personal amenities.

Patch: How is HealthTrack different from a conventional commercial gym?

Sue: We are the neighborhood gym, our membership includes families, seniors, singles and it is very easy to feel at home with the diversity of our membership. Plus we offer both the traditional gym activities and have a lovely lounge area with complimentary coffee and tea, a Day Spa for relaxation and The Track Café which offer smoothies, sandwiches, salads and much more.

Patch: How did you get involved in the fitness industry?

Sue: I started as a tennis player, so joined the club 18 years ago for tennis then I slowly started working out then started working here and the rest is history. Over the years I have learned so much about fitness and myself through numerous specialty classes and programs. My overall health and fitness is better now than when I joined. There is always hope for improving yourself no matter what the age.

Patch: What is HealthTrack's overall philosophy?

Sue: Make Health the Focus of Your LIFE!

Patch: What is your daily fitness routine like?

Sue: I don’t have a daily routine as much a weekly routine and I like to mix it up. I play tennis 3 days a week, I love doing my Pilates Reformer once a week and then I will participate in one cardio fitness class per week. The variety works all parts of my body in different ways and it keeps it interesting and challenging.

Patch: What's your approach to motivate clients?

Sue: For personal training, the initial interview is so important, at that time the trainer evaluates what the client wants and what their needs and goals are. From that interview the trainer can tailor the sessions to help them achieve their goals and make them feel better overall. It always helps if they have a timeline or an event focus and motivation to achieve the desired results.

Patch: Do you have a client who you consider a particular success story?

Sue: The client, an Insurance Adjuster, was ready to quit his job because he couldn’t do the physical portion of it, climbing ladders, crawling in basements and walking on roofs. His knees and back hurt so much he didn’t feel he could perform his job responsibilities effectively or safely. Within 3 months he could feel change, the weight was down some and the knees and back felt better, but still a long road to go. At the year point he had lost all of the weight and he had trimmed down from a 36 waist to a 31. His body and mind were really feeling solid and he was able to perform his job very effectively but almost more importantly he felt better about himself and his life. Six years later he still works out regularly, has maintained his weight and is so much stronger and more flexible. Health and fitness is a lifelong process, little bits at a time.

Patch: I’ve got 20 minutes for a workout. What should I do?

Sue: I would do circuit training for 15 minutes and 5 minutes of cardio. I would go one of two directions, high weights with low reps or low weights with high reps. To get my heart rate up it needs to be challenging while lifting. Then 5 minutes of challenging cardio so you can maintain the pace throughout and keep your heart rate up.

Patch: How can readers contact you or find out more about HealthTrack?

Sue: We can be contacted through our website at HTSW.net or call our office at 630.942.9600 X602. I can also be reached at Skamphuis@htsw.net.