Get In Shape For Women in Rockville Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month By Giving Back to Local Charity

            Get In Shape For Women in Rockville recently announced a new promotion for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For every new member that joins the studio, located at 130 Rollins Ave., during the month of October, the company will donate $100 to Critters for the Cure to support breast cancer research. 

            “Many of our clients are either breast cancer survivors or know someone who has been affected,” said Lisa Sampson, franchise owner of Get In Shape in Rockville. “This is a great opportunity for us to support the cause while reminding women of the pivotal role that fitness and nutrition have on overall health.”

            At Get In Shape For Women, the premise is simple: One personal trainer works with up to four women at a time during each one-hour session consisting of 30 minutes of weight training, 25 minutes of cardio, plus nutrition coaching for a complete training program. The comprehensive branded four-part transformation model, encompassing weight training, cardio, nutrition support and accountability, is focused entirely on results.

The October promotion reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to promoting wellness through small-group personal training. Due to the fact that almost 12 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, a healthy lifestyle is more important than ever for warding off and recovering from disease.

It’s no secret that physical activity and a balanced diet are vital to restoring and maintaining health, boosting mood and improving overall quality of life. But for cancer patients and survivors, fitness may be even more beneficial than previously believed. In association with the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) current guidelines for cancer patients, Get In Shape For Women recommends that women experience moderate physical activity daily as a way of regaining strength, relieving fatigue and improving body image both during and after active treatment.

            The ACSM’s guidelines suggest that a small amount of physical activity – a short walk or other low-impact activity – is significantly better than none at all. And breast cancer patients saw some of the highest levels of improvement based on clinical trials presented in the ACSM guidelines. Most of these women saw improvements in aerobic capacity, muscular strength and body composition from during- and post-treatment exercise regimens.

Rockville resident Theodora Fitzsimmons credits Get In Shape For Women for helping her return to the active lifestyle she enjoyed before being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. Fitzsimmons was an avid runner and swimmer – she ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 1998 – but says cancer had lingering physical effects long after her treatment was complete. Between reconstructive surgery that removed 10 percent of her abdominal muscles and edema in the lymph nodes in her arm, she was left with physical limitations that hindered her ability to exercise the way she used to.

“After cancer I had a problem sticking to exercise, and struggled because I was on my own,” Fitzsimmons says. “Get In Shape For Women gave me a structured system I could fit into my life.”

She says the gym’s close-knit environment and emphasis on accountability helped her stay on track.

“My trainers know me really well, care about me, and know when to push my limits,” she says. “At the gym, I’m among friends – I can talk about my experiences and challenges without fear of judgment, but I know I will still be held accountable for achieving my goals.”

Fitzsimmons joined Get In Shape For Women last February. She has more energy and says her physical limitations are no longer all that limiting. And she’s even getting back into the race circuit.

 “I’m planning on doing a triathlon in the near future,” she says. “After that, who knows what’s next?”

            Sampson said clients like Fitzsimmons are the reason Get In Shape For Women is so committed to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

            “We’re extremely proud that Get In Shape For Women has helped members like Theodora overcome such big obstacles,” she added.

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About Get In Shape For Women
Founded in 2006 by Brian Cook, Get In Shape For Women offers small group, personal training for women in a private, upscale studio. Clients experience weight training, cardio, nutrition support and accountability for a complete fitness program for women. The company currently operates nearly 100 studios in 18 states across the country and expects to add 20-25 additional locations by the end of 2012. Get In Shape For Women plans to grow 25 percent each year toward its eventual goal of 5,000 locations worldwide. The Northeast, particularly New Jersey, is the primary target for growth in 2012. For more information, please visit www.getinshapeforwomen.com.