A Closer Look at Transformations

Last week, Pasadena Patch readers voted , located off Ritchie Highway, . Since Patch readers liked it so much, I stopped by Transformations on Wednesday to see for myself.

Upon walking into Transformations, my first impression was that it was not like the typical gym at all. Instead of having private rooms for classes throughout the building, Transformations has a giant workout floor for classes in the middle of the room.

“If you look at some of the other gyms, typically to find the aerobic room you have to look around the whole building and sometimes go upstairs; and then it is a closed door,” said Transformations manager Kim Wise. “Here, the class is the center stage, so it makes people think that they want to try a class.”

While the gym does have exercise equipment and weights throughout the building, the main feature is without a doubt the giant space for group classes.

Wise has been a manager at Transformations for 11 years, and knows what women who come to the gym want, because before she was a manager she was a member herself.

Wise said that the classes offered play a huge role in keeping women motivated.

“The majority of women definitely want the classes because it is a very warm and inviting atmosphere and we encourage them,” Wise said.” A lot of time women get discouraged and they leave the gyms having never experienced a class where someone helps them and encourages them.”

Transformations is an ideal place to workout for moms because they offer childcare, she said. Moms can drop their kids off in child care, take their class, and then pick them back up. And Transformations has a separate child care staff.

Wise said that Transformations would not be successful without the women who attend the gym and take the classes.

“We say all the time that we’re not a big pushy sales kind of thing,” she said. “Word of mouth is the best thing we have going for us. Women love to talk; and if a woman loves her gym, then she is going to tell everyone.”

Wise said she would like to personally thank all the women who voted for Transformations in  poll.

“I love being around all the women and just helping them out,” Wise said. “We are more community based here, and you really get to know the person working out next to you. And as a staff, we really know the women here.”