National Fitness Center | Success Stories

National Fitness Center provides everything you need to get and stay in the best shape of your life. We offer superior personal trainers that support you every step of the way. And because we care - you are our #1 priority! But don't take our word for it...

I started out weighing 305 pounds and out of shape. I admit that starting off was hard! But I had won a free 12 weeks of personal training from the Get Active TN program, and decided I needed to make the most of it! I wanted to get in shape and lose weight for my children and family. So I met with a personal trainer 2 times a week for 12 weeks. Here is how I benefited from this experience:

When I first started I would get on the treadmill and the fastest I could go was about 3.0 mph, and I was struggling at that! I watched a tread-n-shed class to see what they did, and when she said put it on 3.0 and higher to warm up I was shocked! Not only did that tell me how much I was out of shape, but it also gave me something to work towards! Fast forward 12 weeks to now, my cardio consists of this: I get on the treadmill and do the "hill" program for 30 minutes at level 10. I now warm up for four minutes at 3.6 to 4.5 mph!! And then I do intervals, I run up every hill and then walk in between them. I run the hills at 6.0 MPH and then walk in between the hills at 3.5 MPH. When I am done at the end, I have gone about 2.50 miles and have burned over 500 calories! I still can't believe I have made it to this point! Looking back, the first 2 weeks were the hardest! But now, I continue to push myself a little more each week. I have made the gym a part of my life and daily routine. I go 5 days a week, and take 2 days off.

I owe everything I have learned from my trainer, Heather Lowe from Custom Built. She is great at what she does, and does not let me get away with slacking on the gym floor. Let me give you a mental image, I am 6'3" tall and she is 5'1" tall. She works me a little harder every time I see her, and she teaches me new ways to work out the same muscles so your routine does not get redundant. She has also taught me to lift lighter weights at longer repetitions to help build lean muscle. I have totally seen my body transforming into a new me!

Wow, I can't believe how fast the 12 weeks went by. And I can't believe how much weight I have lost and how great I am feeling! So you are probably wondering what the numbers are. Well, here they are: I lost a total of 46 pounds, and a total of 23 inches from my whole body. 9 inches alone off of my torso, 5 inches off of my chest, and 3.5 inches off of my shoulders. I have went from wearing a size 48 jeans to a size 40 jeans. I could probably wear a smaller size waist but I do not like the way they fit on my thighs right now. A few more weeks in the gym will take care of that!

I am very thankful for this program and getting me started on the right track for my health! I am signed up at the gym for the next 3 years and intend on going religiously! I have made it a part of my life and my daily routine. I used to be one of those people, "Oh I don't have any time to..." and you can fill in the blank on whatever you are procrastinating about. But I have realized, if you just get up and do it, and put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything! I just ran a 9 minute mile the other day and I won't stop until I hit my goal of an 8 minute mile. I will accomplish this in the next couple of weeks. Why 8 minutes you might ask, well, it is simple, that is what I had to run in High School and I just want to see if I can do now what I did when I was younger and playing sports and more active.

I am also proud of my wife, she has lost 27 pounds in this 12 weeks too. She did not have a trainer, but I showed her everything I was doing with my trainer. Now I have set her up with my trainer, Heather Lowe, for the next 12 weeks. Together we will keep going until we hit our goal weights and/or size!

Thank you National Fitness Center, Get Active TN, Custom Built Personal Training, WBIR 10, Knoxville News Sentinel, and anyone else I have forgotten!

My family and children thank you as well!

Brian Bartley

(Age 31, GET ACTIVE participant)

And listen to THESE stories...do one of these people sound like YOU?

I have been on three trips in May/first part of June. In May, I went on a business trip to Belize, and I had to carry my luggage everywhere! No problem! It would have been three months ago, but not now. Later part of May, we went on a cruise to Bermuda, rode a moped. Felt strong enough to drive it without feeling scared. In June, we went to Edisto Beach, SC. My husband and I rented a kayak and rowed all day. There again, I would not have been able to do anything had I not trained with Brandon these past three months.

-Robin Zachary, age 45, GET ACTIVE participant

I needed a place for a quick workout at lunch- time. National Fitness Center makes it easy to get in and out fast, not to mention the fact they are open 24 hours. Great equipment. No waiting. Trainers on the floor at all times if I need to update my program. It's great!
- Bob D., age 33 Member for two years

I took advantage of the trial membership because I'd never been a member of a club before. I didn't know whether I'd like it. I surprised myself by joining after the first week. This club is exactly what I wanted and needed!
- Mary, age 24 Member for eight months

I've always been told that the key to a successful exercise program is for it to become a habit. National Fitness Center has made it as easy as possible for my exercise routine to become an enjoyable habit. The facilities are first rate, both aerobic and weight training equipment, and National Fitness Center is extremely convenient both in terms of location and hours of operation. The staff is very friendly, but they also leave you alone to "do your own thing." Lastly, National Fitness Center has created a very upbeat, friendly atmosphere for all of its customers. It's simply enjoyable to work out on a regular basis at National Fitness Center.
- Bill B., age 42 Member for three years

After seven years of marriage, good cooking, and two children, I joined National Fitness Center at my highest weight ever . . . over 200 pounds. I just got tired of looking in the mirror and seeing what I saw, because that's not how I felt! How I perceived myself mentally and physically were two different people. Therefore, I decided to take the physical me and match it to the mental me, so I started moving.

I took it very slow, doing 20 minutes on a treadmill and gradually increasing the time and distance. After a month and a half, I increased my workout by adding weights. Before I knew it, I had dropped two dress sizes.

With persistence, and the staff and childcare at National Fitness Center, I'm well on my way to a life of health and fitness. In closing, I wish for "you" the prayer, health and exercise that National Fitness Center provided for me!
- Gidget S., age 28 Member for ten months

I am 80 years old and have been a member at National Fitness Center for one year. I average coming four to five days per week, and enjoy using the cardio equipment and machine weights. They have a wide variety of machines and I really like the indoor walking track. The staff is friendly and is always there if I ever need help with my workout. Working out at National Fitness Center helps me keep my blood pressure and cholesterol levels safe and gives me the energy I need to get through the day. I would strongly recommend NFC to anyone, no matter what his or her age. They can help you reach your fitness goals.
- Elizabeth, age 80 Member for 18 months

The staff does a great job of maintaining the club and equipment. It's always clean here. The equipment is always in good working condition. And there's always someone making sure the members clean up after using equipment. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that!
- Danny R., age 27 Member for five years

I've worked out in many clubs in the area with little or no results. I joined National Fitness Center six weeks ago and since then, I've already lost 12 pounds and feel considerably better.
- Cindy H., age 39

We want to hear from YOU!

No matter what you deem as success - whether it's finishing your first half/full marathon or even a 5K, getting stronger, cutting down on blood pressure or cholesterol medicine, or just feeling less stress and more energy - we want to know about it! Let us know how National Fitness Center helped you GET HEALTHY and LIVE HAPPY. Tell us about your awesome personal trainer, your favorite group fitness class, or whether having services like a Women's Only or Senior's Area is what finally got you off the couch and into the gym.

Email us YOUR success stories to news@nfc1.com. We also encourage you to send BEFORE & AFTER pics to illustrate your accomplishments, but please be sure they are in a .jpg format (which is standard for most digital cameras).

*Stories and photos submitted are done so with the understanding that they may be used for promotional purposes, including (but not limited to) our website, direct mail pieces, newsletters, commercials, etc. Stories and photos will NOT be sold or used for any purpose other than to promote National Fitness Center's facilities and services. Submission is voluntary.