CENTRAL ILLINOIS FITNESS

BEST GYM FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Fit Club South, 3631 S. Sixth, 787-8348 North, 2701 E. Sangamon, 788-8250 West, 2811 W. Lawrence, 787-1111 Carlinville, 935 E. Morgan, 854-2000 The personal touch is what made Fit Club the top choice in the weight loss category. It can be intimidating walking into a busy gym feeling more fat than fit. That’s why Fit Club has arranged a special 12-week weight loss program that begins with a private consultation that takes into account limitations and abilities, with an evaluation that documents where you are, and where you want to be. You get one-on-one nutritional coaching with a personal trainer, plus two exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks, again with a personal trainer dedicated to getting results. The most important equipment may not be the exercise machines, but the Web site that monitors your food intake and calories consumed, plus the armband you’re given to measure calories burned throughout the day. As long as you burn more calories than you consume, you’ll lose weight.

Dr. Kevin Imhoff, the CEO and cofounder, got started in the fitness center business 15 years ago, and Fit Club itself celebrates its 10-year anniversary Nov. 14 at Fit Club South. “There is no greater feeling than to see people who have gotten success with our program,” Imhoff says. “We’ve had a role in changing their lives.”
Runner-up: Cardinal Fitness

BEST GYM FOR WEIGHT TRAINING
Fit Club All locations, www. fitclub.net With the largest collection of weight machines and free weights in central Illinois, Fit Club has what you need. And it has the confidence of “Best of” voters, who named it the best gym for weight training. There are computerized weight machines, air pressure machines, and equipment that operates with weight stacks, plus 10 types of “gravity” machines that use your body weight for resistance training. Coming soon is an “Art of Strength” center at Fit Club West that uses kettle-bell weights to make you stronger. With all this variety available, you need a plan, a program and a personal trainer to get you started and guide you through – Fit Club can supply those too. All you need to do is show up and do the work.

Another place to show up is Gold’s Gym, which readers gave a strong second place in the weight training category. With its abundance of machines and free weights, a friendly staff and personal trainers to show you what to do, and many classes to make working out fun and affordable, Gold’s celebrates its fifth anniversary this fall strong and fit. Another thing Gold’s has going for it is its central city location – easy to get to and embodying the east side development others only talk about.
Runner-up: Gold’s Gym

BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
Wayne Carrels – H.I.P.E 3430 Constitution Dr., Suite 113 787-HIPE (4473) If you want a challenging workout, Wayne Carrels is your guy. The ex-Navy personal trainer owns and operates H.I.P.E. (High Intensity Practical Exercises). Carrels is a modest, high-energy man with a passion for fitness, which explains why his clients were so enthusiastic when nominating him as best fitness instructor. “He is so creative and pushes you to limits you didn’t know you could go for,” said one happy voter. The best part about his classes is the price. For a measly five bucks per class, you get a turbocharged workout with personal attention. With no monthly contract, no initiation fees and a highly-motivational trainer, H.I.P.E is a great deal and a great workout.
Runner-up: Monica Maggio – Zumba classes