30 Year Anniversary Edition: Rewinding The West Coast Fitness Story
Grab your leg warmers and rewind with us as we celebrate 30 years of sweat, determination, and community at West Coast Fitness. It's time for a trip down memory lane that's more fun than a Jane Fonda workout video.
Our cover photo features Don, a member since 1999! He even still has his original World Gym sweatshirt!
From Film to Fit:
Back in 1984, when hair was big and phones were bigger, our founder, Terri was running a video empire. That's right, before Netflix and chill, there was Videorama and... well, still chill.
But Terri had a vision. Inspired by the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger, she decided to pump up the neighborhood - literally. In the early '90s, when gyms were gaining traction faster than neon spandex, Terri made her move.
A Gym is Born:
Picture this: a mobile construction trailer pops up in front of the space that once housed Teletronics furniture with a sign that invites members to be a part of a brand new World Gym.
There's a juice /smoothie bar, coffee, and even a daycare. It's not just a gym; it's a retro-inspired time machine to the '50s.
Our long-time member Inez (member #136!) remembers it like it was yesterday. She signed up right there in that trailer.
More Than Just Muscles:
Fast forward 30 years, and we're more than just a place to lift weights. Sure our name has changed (Terri decided to stop paying 'Aaahnold' the premium for the name), and management has changed (out with the old, in with the Jay. Yep, he started as a manager!) but the vision has remained the same. Provide a quality experience for our incredible community.
Just ask Inez, who at 66, still rocks her solo workouts like a boss. Or Paul, who turned his health around and dropped 25 pounds since April.
Inez loves that she can "walk in and feel comfortable" - no intimidation here! And Paul? He's gone from feeling like a "failure" to being inspired to help others. Now that's what we call gains.
The Secret Sauce:
So what's kept us going strong for three decades? It's simple:
Community: Where else can you meet a 78-year-old gym buddy?
Personalized Attention: From custom routines to nutrition tips, we've got you covered.
No Judgment Zone: Whether you're 26 or 76, a solo workout warrior or a class enthusiast, you belong here.
Once a Fixer, Now a 'Fixee':
Speaking of transformations, let's talk about Paul. A proud Hispanic man with 30 years in manufacturing, Paul was used to being the fixer, not the one needing fixing. But life has a way of humbling us all.
Struggling with plantar fasciitis and feeling like he'd hit rock bottom, Paul might have been with us for decades, but after a hiatus, he took a brave step returning through our doors.
Little did he know, that step would lead to a 25-pound weight loss and a complete mindset shift. (He credits David's advice about nutrition like portion control and cutting back on fat intake along with a solid exercise plan for his weight loss success.)
Paul's turning point? A body scan with our very own Janna. The results were a wake-up call. Her prognosis: No balance and a weak foundation. But instead of being discouraged, Paul got motivated. He jumped into four sessions with trainer Coltin: Two for stretching, two for core and foundation work.
The result? A new workout routine and a new lease on life. Paul learned that it's okay to ask for help, even when you're used to being the one others lean on.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help," Paul advises. "This is a very supportive place." His journey from feeling like a failure to being inspired to help others is a testament to the transformative power of our community.
Paul's story reminds us that fitness isn't just about losing weight or gaining muscle. It's about gaining confidence, overcoming fears, and sometimes, completely reinventing yourself.
Looking Ahead:
We've come a long way from that construction trailer. We've outlived VHS tapes, survived the demise of video stores, and we're still here, stronger than ever.
To our loyal members who've been with us from the start, thank you. To those just joining our fitness family, welcome aboard. And to everyone in between, remember: it doesn't matter your age or fitness level. As Inez says, "Learn what you can from who you can."
Here's to 30 more years of lifting each other up (sometimes literally).
Stay rad,
Your WCF Family
P.S. Next time you're in, ask about our body scan with Janna. It might just be the catalyst for your own fitness revolution, just like it was for Paul!
