It’s not every day you find someone who says they love the gym. Most of us equate it with sweat, pain and sore muscles. But talk to any member at Devon Fitness Club, and you’ll find people who endure the hard work and have fun doing it.
Since opening in 2001, owners John McCaffrey and Lisa Hoekstra have revolutionized fitness with their state-of-the-art, upscale gym. From the high-energy atmosphere to the member appreciation parties to the ‘so clean you can eat off the floor’ mantra, this club is truly committed to improving the health and lifestyles of its members.
One such example is the juice bar. Members rave about the delicious, protein-packed shakes. Shakes make for a great meal replacement and are a quick and easy way to get your required protein. Many also grab a tasty fruit smoothie on their way out the door after a hard workout or a tough class.
At Devon Fitness, they want you to enjoy your time at the gym and also feel camaraderie with other members. With group classes, workouts become so fun and engaging that you forget that you’re burning calories and trimming your figure. Classes like Body Sculpt, Classical Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Total Conditioning, Boot Camp, Kick Boxing and Cardio Sculpt offer a little something for everyone.
And for those of you who like to hit the road and work out outside, Devon Fitness has you covered with the Virtual Cycling class. As the only club in that area that can boast these high-tech bikes, Devon Fitness offers a unique experience that makes it feel like you’re riding against a pace-bike on one of 29 challenging courses. You can also race against others on the same course through the bike’s Internet connection. It’s just like the real thing, but without the hazards of on-coming traffic, heat exhaustion or stormy summer weather.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Devon Fitness is what really sets this gym apart. Certified personal trainers work with members to create an individualized fitness plan in order to achieve their fitness goals, whether that’s losing weight, building muscle or just feeling strong and healthy. Personal trainers are also happy to work with members who have short-term objectives, such as getting back in shape after a baby or in time for a wedding (or bathing suit season!)
As another extension of their healthy lifestyle concentration, McCaffrey and Hoekstra have hired an in-house registered dietitian and nutrition coach, Kathleen Raysinger, RD, LDN. Members can book an appointment with Raysinger to analyze their personal nutrition habits or to get general information for healthy living.
Her one-on-one, specialized sessions include weight-loss counseling, sports nutrition counseling, resting metabolic rate measurements, computerized nutritional analysis of current food choices, individualized menu plans, nutrition education counseling and grocery shopping expeditions with food label education.
Raysinger’s ultimate goal is to improve her clients’ quality of life through healthy eating and lifestyle changes.
Devon Fitness also boasts an in-house tanning booth open year-round, as well as a relaxing, pampering, therapeutic massage service. Their certified massage staff is on site at all peak hours to help members relax after a stressful week or to soothe their muscles after a workout. All new members receive a free massage, and hour, half-hour, or dollar-a-minute chair massages, and multiple-session packages are available.
McCaffrey and Hoekstra, who have a daily presence at the club, offer unsure community members a seven-day free trial along with a 14-day money back guarantee, so people can really make sure that the club is right for them. Devon Fitness also ensures a rate guarantee, which means that regardless of the economy, your given rate will never rise.
New members are offered free equipment orientation classes and a 15-minute nutrition session on the house, so they can become acquainted with the staff and the gym. Devon Fitness knows that choosing a gym is a big decision, and the ultimate goal is make new members feel welcomed and comfortable.
And once you’re a full-fledged member enjoying all the perks and amenities, you will proudly become someone who can’t wait to get back to the gym.
1340 Swedesford Road, Berwyn, 610-240-9916
Mon. – Thurs. 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday. 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Sun. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
devonfitness@aol.com
www.DevonFitness.com
Danielle Wallace is a freelance writer in Montgomery County.
Michael Sahadi is a freelance photographer based in Philadelphia. (www.MichaelSahadi.com)
