It’s the second day of the New Year and the Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center is bustling with activity as residents begin to put their “Get fit in 2018” resolutions into action.
The front desk receptionists are busy registering their newest members and checking in current ones. It’s a mix of adults, seniors, teenagers and even youngsters filling the bustling 54,000-square-foot facility, which offers just about everything in the world of fitness.
“We’re getting a lot of members we haven’t seen in a while and a lot of new members joining the facility,” said Kolby Rousseu, the CRC’s Health and Wellness Director. “We’re getting more appointment times (for our personal trainers), and more staff just out providing assistance to our members.”
Always at or near the top of any New Year’s Resolutions List is a self-promise to get in shape. The CRC is one of a number of facilities in Morgan Hill (most of the others are owned by private companies rather than the city or any other public entity) that provides different avenues for members to reach their health goals, including a fitness center with 25,000 square feet of cardio and fitness machines, a FitLinnx automated workout tracker and on-site personal trainers; a group exercise studio for free member classes such as Zumba, boot camp, yoga and TRX; a gymnasium with two full-length basketball courts (which were just resurfaced at the end of 2017) for a variety of scheduled activities like basketball, volleyball, soccer and badminton; and a heated indoor pool for lap swim, lessons and Aqua classes.
“It’s definitely lively here,” said Ben Norton, a personal trainer at the CRC. “The clients I work with are very nice, personable, good people. Everyone is working out, feeling great, so there’s a good vibe.”
Norton, who earned his Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from San Diego State University, currently works with nine to 10 clients per week and is “hoping to get a few more in the New Year.”
“What I tell (someone looking to get fit) is don’t do too much too soon. You’ve got to ease into it,” said Norton, originally from Modesto and now living with his wife in Hollister. “I know they’re excited, but you don’t want to burn yourself out. If you haven’t worked out in a long time, you have to ease into it.”
Just as important, according to Norton, is finding an exercise or workout activity you enjoy doing rather than turning to a forced, fixed routine because “doing something is better than doing nothing.”
‘Something for everyone’
And there are a plethora of options for all ages at the CRC. In addition to his personal trainer appointments, Norton teaches group exercise classes such as a low impact functional fitness for seniors and a high intensity kickboxing and circuit training class.
“There’s something for everyone,” he added.
Local resident Blair Zerr, a 9-year member of the CRC who has lived in Morgan Hill since 1997, said he practically raised his family at the CRC. He’s enjoyed his time so much, Zerr joined the staff as a performance coach and also teaches some classes.
“The CRC is all about family and getting well. If weights aren’t your thing, then there are fitness classes for anyone from age 6 to 80. Everyone is welcome,” Zerr said as he got some reps in on the TRX suspension station Jan. 2. “It’s a great place if you have a family, or if you don’t know anybody in town. Since they added this facility, it has really brought the community together.”
A new member gets three free orientation sessions with a CRC staff member to learn how to use the different workout equipment properly, how to use the FitLinnx automated workout tracker and other membership benefits. The member can then pay for more 1-on-1 work with a personal trainer if so desired. All fitness classes are drop-in and free for members as well.
A CRC membership for residents are $72 per month for an adult, $100 for a family and $35 for teenagers. The membership also includes access to the Aquatics Center during summer months, and to YMCAs across the nation. The CRC is open 4:30am to 10pm Monday through Friday and 6:30am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
“We’re not a regular gym and swim,” said Rousseu, who noted that one in every four local residents is a CRC member. “We’re a family center with help for everyone.”
The CRC offers a discounted teen membership starting at 13 years of age and has a teen center with programs, games and events specifically for their age group.
The YMCA of Santa Clara Valley also operates within the facility and partners with the city to “provide high quality health and fitness, youth, teen, family, and senior programs for Morgan Hill residents and the surrounding community to enjoy,” according to city staff.
Morgan Hill native Johnny Jaime, 30, a 2005 Live Oak High School alumnus, got his CRC membership a few years back, but it wasn’t until seven months ago that he really started “taking time to use it up.”
“I weighed over 300 pounds for eight years. I was watching my two boys grow up and it was a big motivation for me to lose some weight,” Jaime said before taking a rep on the bench press. He is now down to to about 280 pounds before doing a rep on the bench press. “The people, the staff are all very welcoming. They make you feel comfortable. It’s very family oriented.”
Local resident Danielle Hill, the Health and Wellness Coordinator, repeats a motivational quote that CRC staff uses to encourage members such as, “It takes 21 days to turn into a habit.”
“It’s a lifestyle. It’s not just a resolution,” said Hill, who touted the “amazing staff” for creating “a little community” within the gym. “There’s a lot here to choose from. If you’re not into weight training, then we have a ton of classes and a pool.”
• Become a late afternoon or evening gym-goer. The most popular times to hit the gym are the lunch hour and before and after work, according to an International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) survey. If you want to skip the crowds, try for mid-afternoon or late evening. The best times to go are between 2pm and 4:30pm or after 8:30pm
• Always make a plan. You should never go to the gym and plan to just wing it. If you are not sure what you should do, make an appointment with a Wellness Coach. Take advantage of the three sessions that are complementary if you are a member at the city’s Centennial Recreation Center..
• Get in and get out. You don’t need to spend hours in the gym. Get in and out in 30 minutes or less with a tight strength and cardio combo circuit. The CRC offers a variety of classes that range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. Find one that fits your exercise level and interests.
• Skip the treadmill. Because the treadmill is the most popular piece of equipment in the gym, an IHRSA report shows, you’re bound to spend some extra time waiting for your turn, especially in January. Take the opportunity to try a less popular class or piece of equipment. January is a great time to try equipment that has stood the test of time, such as medicine balls, stability balls, resistance bands and other equipment that’s usually placed along the perimeter of the gym. Can’t find a treadmill or elliptical machine? Try a jump rope for your cardio workout.
• Use the buddy system. It’s tough to stay accountable during the cold, dark winter months, so partner with a gym buddy. Not only will your buddy motivate you to get to the gym, but you can do drills with your buddy, like tossing a medicine ball back and forth.
It’s a lifestyle. It’s not just a resolution…There’s a lot here to choose from. If you’re not into weight training, then we have a ton of classes and a pool.”
