I found myself thinking about those women – and it was nearly all women back in 1984 – who started taking aerobic classes all those years ago at 6 Grove Place that are still members, joined now by husbands, children, grandparents, cousins, friends, even dogs!
Corinne Brown
Why is Fitness Incentive More than a Gym?
I’m not sure why we like to measure things in fives; probably because we have five fingers on each hand. Whatever the reason, it seems that every five years, we pause to reflect on another anniversary, another milestone. For me, I think about starting this business 35 years ago, giving it all the drive and passion that long-ago version of me possessed. I continue with that same drive and passion today, perhaps even greater, reinforced by so many life-defining experiences and my enduring love for it.
I have some of the same students from the very beginning, joined now of their by their children and even grandkids taking my classes. I found myself thinking about those women – and it was nearly all women back in 1984 – who started taking aerobic classes all those years ago at 6 Grove Place that are still members, joined now by husbands, children, grandparents, cousins, friends, even dogs! There is a lasting two-way bond there that transcends loyalty. It’s a shared vision of how to live the best life possible. It defines Fitness Incentive and the people that belong here.
So many times I have sat and spoken to so many students who express their love for what the FI staff and I give to them; it’s what makes them come back to a place they actually call home. They say things to me like, “I feel so accomplished,” “I’m stronger,” “I’m more flexible,” “You’ve helped me on my weight loss journey,” “it’s so clean,” “I never feel self-conscious,” “I get so much support from the entire staff,” “it’s fun,” “all trainers are so knowledgeable,” “there’s such positive energy.” Most of all, I hear, “This Place Has Changed My Life.” What more can you ask for than that?
Gratitude
I absolutely love what I do and feel I have been given a gift to do what makes me happy every day. Seeing the people who come to FI get stronger, healthier, and more confident is the best motivator for me.
I thank you all for making FI an essential part of your day. I genuinely believe this special place, and the people that come to it, cannot be duplicated.
Thank you for years of loyalty!
Member Perspective
John Russo on Why FI is More than a Gym
I have been a member at Fitness Incentive for over 30 years, and I can emphatically state that coming to the gym has changed my life. Ever since I took my first aerobics class with Corinne and she turned around and told me, “you’re going to fit right in,” I knew I was in the right place. During those 30 plus years, I was employed as NYC Police Detective, and as you can imagine, that is a very stressful position. I have been a huge fan of Corinne’s classes the entire time, and attending those classes helped me immensely – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Corinne has built up my confidence to a point where I feel I can accomplish almost anything and inspired me to encourage others to feel the same way. She fosters such camaraderie between the members that the feeling cannot be adequately described; it has to be experienced! We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together, and most of all we’ve shared in each other’s triumphs. I feel greatly deprived when I miss my scheduled class and can’t wait to get back.
I consider Fitness Incentive my home away from home and the members and staff like family. Just like the old TV show CHEERS says – “A place where everybody knows your name.” What greater praise can be conveyed that that?
About the Author
Corinne Brown
Corinne Brown is the co-founder of Fitness Incentive.