So you've looked at the website, checked out the Facebook page and are cautiously intrigued. The results photos and testimonials of women who have had success seem real enough. In fact, you think you actually know a couple of those people, which makes their comments a little more genuine than what you see on infomercials for "get fit quick' programs.
BUT, the place looks so intimidating. This big building staring you in the face that you pass taking the kids to school or going southbound on 95 from Kennebunk. Parking lot is often full..that's a good sign, or maybe it's not. Maybe that means it's full of fit people that will look at you funny when you walk in.
Wait, let's read those Facebook posts again. Those people really do seem nice, and supportive of each other. Hey - they're sharing recipes and congratulating each other on earning "MEPS". What the heck are "MEPS"? Is this a cult?
All right, focus here..think about the button that popped off your jeans last night when you sat down on the couch. You REALLY do not want to buy that next size up and you can't live your whole life in yoga pants.
Pull up the website again. Fill out the form requesting information and hit "send". Whoo..here you go! Probably nothing will come of it. You'll get some canned email thanking you for your information and telling you what to do next.
Wait a minute, the next morning there's a missed call and a voicemail on your phone from a friendly person asking when you'd like to set up your "success session" Success - are they sure? Do they know they're dealing with someone who does laps around the grocery store for exercise? Whose diet consists of whatever she can scrounge while running kids all over town to sports and activities?
Think about the jeans again...how you on tug them in the car to get them to not pinch so much. Make the call to the friendly person. Next Tuesday, 4:30 pm. Ok, fine. Wear workout clothes? Yikes - college t-shirt and sweats your son refused to wear. Well, whatever..you made the commitment, might as well show up.
Appointment time rolls around. Parking lot is full, as usual. Gulp..some teenage boy walks in and some super fit guy walks out. But wait, a lady is going in..she looks familiar. Think she was one of the ones whose story was on the website. Ok, you can do this..
Lobby area is super clean, but ugh, there's no one at the desk. Oh geez, do you have to actually walk out to where the music's blaring, all by yourself? OK, you can do it. No wait, saved...here comes a guy with a shirt that reads "coach". Coach? Coach of what? Me? Gulp again!
He introduces himself, thanks you for coming and suggests you go out into the gym area and start to get to know each other.
You walk out and wow, what IS this place? Where is the bank of ellipticals and treadmills? Where are the TVs, forever stuck on ESPN? Where are the mirrors? Holy cow, look at those racks of big weights. And what in the world is that big black thing that looks like a human size erector set?
You look around some more and see people grabbing these round roller things and throwing themselves down onto this big stretch of artificial turf and seemingly enjoying it. Maybe it's a massage of sorts. Then you look around some more and start to see faces..not all beach perfect 20-somethings but all shapes and sizes and ages. Guys yes, but lots of women too.
Wait, did that woman just pick up that big bar and move it around like it was a feather? Look at that other one, carrying two of those huge weights, one in each hand while marching up and down the turf. And dang, that other one is swinging a sledge hammer and making this cool "thump" noise when she hits that big tire with it. All the while the one tv in the place is showing a confusing mix of names and colored squares and percentages. One person's square will turn red and someone hollers out "hey awesome job!!".
Focus, focus..the coach guy is asking you questions about your life, your goals, your schedule and promising to explain everything you're seeing. As you're talking, a couple women leave and say bye to the coach. He calls them by name, compliments them on the work they did and asks when he'll see them again. Really? Wow..
At the same time this is going on, you notice a couple other guys wearing those coach shirts, walking around to the members, checking in on what they're working on, demonstrating proper form and encouraging them to do one more rep.
OK, this place REALLY IS different. There's a woman doing pull ups. She's not super tiny, not perfect but damn, she just did four in a row. You think to yourself, I want to do that and boom, you're ready to see what you are truly capable of.
Welcome to STS!