by  in Newsletter

February 18, 2020

Spring is here!  That isn’t true.  However, it is just around the corner which means that our programs will soon head back outside where boot camps belong.  Another signal that warmer temps are on the horizon is the inevitable “beach ready” fitness campaign.  That’s crap.  That way of thinking, ignoring a few pounds over the winter, is a sure pathway to failure.  More about that later.  Mardi Gras is this weekend…another opportunity for a setback of your fitness goals.  Here’s a better idea, eat and drink healthy and I’ll help you simulate a trip to Soulard for the day by using your kitchen as a restroom, bumping into you every 20 seconds, throwing up in your living room and leaving trash everywhere before stealing the contents of your car.  Call for reservations.

The biggest change to this year’s spring schedule is moving our evening program to Monday and Wednesday nights in Clayton.  Whitecliff should begin on 7 March at the usual time of 0800-0930.  As always, you can use all of our locations to make up absences within two weeks.  There are MANY “fitness” options in St. Louis…this area is one of the most competitive in the nation…but there aren’t many that have been leading the area in optimally effective, safe programs for TWENTY years.  We’ve watched “the latest and greatest” programs come and go for a very long time…we are here to stay, and our clients have never been stronger.  No tutus, selfies, games or nonsense…just honest, effective professional training for people who are serious about their health.

Recently, I was on a weeklong work-related trip with a large group of people that averaged 70+ years old.  An honest and fair observation would reflect that at least 85% of that group was significantly overweight or obese.  Far less people participated in active endeavors than usual and mobility for many was an issue which prevented them from some truly great experiences.  I met some great people that week.  Many veterans proudly wore clothing that reflected their years of service and assumed that I was part of their group because of my short hair and stature.  During several conversations, comments were made about gaining a pound here and there then waking up one day and realizing that things have “gotten out of hand.”  Those conversations reinforced my frequent statement that YOU CANNOT IGNORE the annual pound or two of weight that often gets disregarded as part of the aging process.  For most people, gaining 2-3 pounds of weight will likely go unnoticed…until you start having trouble wearing the same size clothing that you bought a few years before.  A decade or two later, that seemingly innocent weight gain has now become 30, 40 or 50+ pounds of unhealthy mass that is now having a very significant negative impact on your health with reduced mobility, quality of life and longevity.  The solution is obvious, eat clean and train hard, but being consistent in those regards can be vey difficult for some.  What helps is to surround yourself with people who enforce those values and genuinely care about you enough to have the tough conversations that you NEED to hear instead of wanting to hear.  For 20 years, Shark Fitness has been the obvious choice for exactly that.  You can’t express a desire to lose weight then post photos of your prize-winning margarita on Facebook and not expect to hear about it.  That isn’t shaming…it’s addressing the problem.  You can’t ask to be held accountable then get angry at someone else when you miss the goal.  Worthwhile, ambitious goals take an honest, aggressive plan of action…Shark Fitness.  Remember as you get older each day, never has someone regretted being lean, fit and healthy but there are COUNTLESS others who eventually wish they would have taken better care of themselves.  Get serious…be a Shark.

FEBRUARY/MARCH PROGRAMS
M/W/F 5:45am-STL Community College-Meramec/Kirkwood
M/W/F 6:00am-Clayton of Clayton
M/W/F 6:00am-St. Gabriel-St. Louis Hills
M/W 5:30pm-STL Community College-Meramec/Kirkwood
T/Th 5:45am-STL Community College-Meramec/Kirkwood
T/Th 9:30am-STL Community College-Meramec/Kirkwood

UPCOMING PROGRAMS (in order of start date)

ST. LOUIS COM. COLLEGE-MERAMEC-MON/WED/FRI MORNING (5:45-6:45am)-Session begins Friday, 21 February 2020.  Register by calling the Continuing Education Dept. at 314-984-7777 (PEDU 755 P08).  Class fee is $139 for the 10-class program.  Participants may use the locker and shower facilities.  Please park in lots “P” and “O” off Geyer Rd., the gym entrance faces those lots.  Instructor:  Sarah Jaskiewicz, CFT.  Note:  The class may train outside if weather permits.

ST. LOUIS COM. COLLEGE-MERAMEC-TUE/THU MORNING (5:45-6:45am)-Session begins Tuesday, 25 February 2020.  Register by calling the Continuing Education Dept. at 314-984-7777(PEDU 755  P06).  Class fee is $159 for the 12-class program.  Participants may use the locker and shower facilities.  Please park in lots “P” and “O” off Geyer Rd. Instructor:  Keath Hausher, CMFT.  Note: The class may train outside if weather permits.

ST. LOUIS COM. COLLEGE-MERAMEC-TUE/THU MID-MORNING (9:30-10:30am)-Session begins Tuesday, 25 February 2020.  Register by calling the Continuing Education Dept. at 314-984-7777(PEDU 755 P07).  Class fee is $159 for the 12-class program.  Participants may use the locker and shower facilities.  Please park in lots “P” and “O” off Geyer Rd.  Instructor:  Keath Hausher, CMFT.  Note: The class may train outside if weather permits.

CENTER OF CLAYTON-MON/WED/FRI MORNING (6:00-7:00am)-Class begins Monday, 9 March 2020. Class runs from 6:00-7:00am and costs $195 members/residents/$210 nonresidents (Code 31237) for the five-week program.  You must register with the Center of Clayton in person, call 314-290-8500 or online at:  https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/parks-recreation/recreation-programs to pay with credit card. Participants may use the locker and shower facilities.  Class meets in the Center of Clayton gymnasium. Instructors:  Keath Hausher, President/Brigit Johnson.

FRANCIS PARK -ST. GABRIELS CHURCH-STL HILLS -MON/WED/FRI MORNING (6:00-7:00am)-Class begins Monday, 9 March 2020. Class runs from 6:00-7:00am and costs $195 for the 15-class program.  Please register with dale@sharkfitness.net before to the start of the program. The class meets inside St. Gabriel’s gym when the weather is extreme.  Outdoor classes start on Donovan near the playground.   This program CAN BE JOINED MIDSESSION.  Instructor:  Dale Bauer, CFT.

WHITECLIFF PARK-CRESTWOOD-SATURDAY MORNING (8:00-9:30am)-Start date TBD.  You may take a single class for $25 or buy a 2020 5 class punch card for $90 ($18 per class).  To register, please email keath@sharkfitness.net for a release form and details.  Do not contact the community center.  The class meets near the sand volleyball court. Class cancellation info may be found on the front page of our website or on Facebook. Instructor:  Shark Fitness Staff

MARCH SCHEDULE:
M/W/F 5:45am-STL Community College-Meramec/Kirkwood
M/W/F 6:00am-Shaw Park-Clayton
M/W/F 6:00am-St. Gabriel-St. Louis Hills
M/W 5:30pm-Shaw Park-Clayton
T/Th 5:45am-STL Community College-Meramec/Kirkwood
T/Th 9:30am-STL Community College-Meramec/Kirkwood
SAT 8:00am-Whitecliff Park-Crestwood

Megan O'BrienFebruary 18, 2020