October/November 2008

BIG NEWS!!

NEW MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE!
For the first time in our history, we are simplifying our memberships.  As you may know, for years we have had 10 different combinations of memberships.  Effective October 1, 2008, there will be only 2 types of membership, Platinum and Gold.  The Platinum Membership will include all four Clubs, and will include everything in each of the Clubs.  That means that the Platinum Membership will include indoor and outdoor tennis and indoor and outdoor (summer) swimming at Westend.

All current members at all clubs on September 30 will have their memberships automatically converted to Platinum, but the dues will remain the same, and there will be no dues increase until 2010.  This means that all current members will immediately have all privileges at all Clubs.  New Club members from October 1st will have a choice of either the Platinum Membership or the Gold.  The Gold Membership includes all Clubs except Westend.

So, to repeat:  All current members at all clubs will become Platinum members, including tennis and swim, with no dues increase until 2010.  This is a fantastic new benefit for all our members!

FAMILY FRIENDLY MEMBERSHIPS
As part of our new membership structure, there are super low rates for couples, children, juniors, and families.  If you do not currently have a couple or family membership, just make an appointment to see a Membership Administrator.  Adding your spouse and children is simple.  Then your entire family will be able to use the Clubs.

NEW FITNESS COURT AT WESTEND
In early October, we expect to open the new Fitness Court at Westend.  It is 8,400 sq. ft. and will include all of Westend’s machines and free weights.  It will be fabulous!

It will be done by the time you read this...

CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING
Trexlertown member Dan Bonstein competed in a mini triathlon in Mifflinberg, July 19th.  The event held three rounds which each consisted of a 3-mile cross country trail run, 2.5 mountain bike ride, and 150-yard lake swim.  The event may be accomplished by an individual or as a team relay.  Dan competed as an individual.

To prepare for this challenge Dan participated in a lot of interval training using the elliptical, treadmill, and bike.  He also trained outdoors by swimming in a lake, and running and biking on the roads.  With all his training and preparation, the course proved to be more difficult than expected.  Although Dan was physically ready, mentally he had to be prepared to keep pushing himself to do his best and finish.

Dan finished 2 rounds with a total of 41 minutes.  Overall Dan had a great experience and plans to do it again next year.

OUR SUPER TRIATHLON
On Sunday, August 10th, the 24-7 Fitness Triathlon Team of Marty Nothstein swimming, Steve Lehman cycling, and Jon Bogert running won the Sprint Relay at the Steelman Triathlon held in and around Lake Nockamixon.  They posted a time of 1:04:07 for the 800 yard swim, 12.8 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run, over 17 minutes ahead of second place.

Marty was the fish out of water, better known for his Olympic Gold Medal performances and World Championships on the velodrome, swimming in his first triathlon.  Steve, a Masters World Cycling Champion and Director of our American Cycling Academy at 24-7 Fitness/Trexlertown, was more at home with the bicycle duty, and Jon Bogert, the Liberty High School cross-country running phenom, set a personal best at the 3.1 mile run with a 15:55 finishing leg to be the first competitor across the finish line.
Outstanding effort guys!!

P.S.  Marty finished a very respectable 6th among the 15 relay-team swimmers, but more amazing was his 94th of 549 sprint swimmers overall.  Jon and Steve both had the fastest finishes in their events of all 549 runners and cyclists.

24-7 FITNESS MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN VIA RACE
Several members from 24-7 Fitness Clubs participated in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Marathon for Via which was held on Sunday, September 7th.  There were over 1,500 participants consisting of runners and walkers.  The race was held to help raise money for children and adults with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley.  There was a full marathon, 20 miles training program, and relay teams (which consisted of 5 legs equal to a full marathon).  The race began at 9th and Hamilton Streets in Allentown and ended in Easton at Riverside Park.  A few participates from the Club are :  Chris Bush, Susan Rutt, Louisa Weise, Eric Treaster (Team name was 24-7 Fitness), Wes Schantz, Mark Jobes, Ginny Uliana, Mary Helena Boncik, Ron Becker, Becky Wasilewski, Cheryl Goral, Joe Todero and many more!  Save the date for next year: September 13th!

THEY'RE MAKING WAVES
Rebecca Nothstein joined our Westend Club to swim laps.  Rebecca started taking private swim lessons with Coach Kay Fried.  Rebecca and Kay have had a very successful summer.  At Soleco Splash 2008, Rebecca took gold in all strokes (Back, Fly, Free and Breast)!  Rebecca also won the High Point award for girls 8-years-old and under.  At Suburban League Championships, Rebecca placed first in both Backstroke and Freestyle and placed 2nd in Fly.  Rebecca was awarded Northampton Summer Swim Team Most Valuable Player with the most points scored for her team.  Look for Rebecca and Coach Kay making waves at Westend’s Pool!

NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT? KEEP A FOOD DIARY
It has been found that to be most successful at losing weight you need to keep a food diary.  Write down everything that you put in your mouth, the amount and when you eat it.  Snacks, meals and drinks!

Then when you look over your food diary, you can analyze it and you will have an “aha” moment.  A study revealed that those who keep a diary will lose twice as much weight as those who don’t.

If you lose some weight or some inches, look back over your diary to see what is working – maybe it was all the fish you had for dinner, or the candy bar you eliminated, or the cream you omitted from your coffee.  Keep up the diary until you see results.

For more information on weight loss, contact our registered dietitians:  Hayley Daubert 610-360-0486 or Anita Hirsch 610-395-0010.

CAN LESS BE MORE?
Hector Mercado joined 24-7 Fitness in June of ’05.  At that time he was an avid power lifter and weighed 253 pounds.  He began to get bored with his repetitive workouts.  In November of ’07 he changed his weekly routine to do more cardio, he also changed his diet.

Now Hector is more jovial than ever with just less of him laughing and carrying on.  He dropped 62 pounds in 8 months and feels so much better.  Perhaps, less can be more.

CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS
ARC   Rey Rodriguez      BRC  Gerald Camera
WRC Mark Fogelman     TFC Kim Myerson

These Members each won a $50 Gift Certificate in the drawing for referring a member for a Free Trial Membership.

Printable .pdf format

ADULT TENNIS PROGRAM
“Tennis Made Easy” is an adult instructional program designed for beginner to intermediate tennis players.  It’s a great way to get started in the game of tennis or, if you’ve had some tennis experience, it can be used to brush up on some of your techniques.  There will be 3 separate times that this terrific course will be offered starting in October.  The cost for the entire program is only $96.  Racquets will be available if you don’t have one or are looking to update the one you have.  Class size is limited so, if you are interested, now is the time to sign up. 

Here are the dates and times:
Wednesdays–6:00p.m.–7:30p.m.–Oct. 15, 22, 25, and Nov. 5
Fridays–9:30a.m.–11:00a.m.–Oct. 17, 24, 31, and Nov. 7
Sundays–2:00p.m.–3:30p.m.–Oct. 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9.

Call Laurie Schwepfinger at WRC – 610-395-3337 – for further information.

TENNIS NOTABLES
The Westend Winners are the East Penn District Champions.  They won the 3.0 league at Louise Moore Park on July 20th.  Then advanced to Sectional Championships held in Princeton the weekend of August 22nd and came in third place.

The Avengers are also East Penn District Champions.  They won the 3.5 league at Louise Moore Park on July 19th, and advanced to Sectional Championships held in Princeton the weekend of August 22nd and won third place.

Front Row  Megan Slifka, Debora Roberson, Arlene Pierantozzi, Shari McKeever, Carole Ostfeld 
Second Row:  Sue-Anne Stuntz, Ina Nechita, Eileen Biro, Maryanna Merchant, Denise Janis
Third Row:  Renee Lentz, Gwin Krouse, Karen Kane, Joyce Greaser

This year’s Junior Team Tennis season was a huge success for Westend players!  The Westend Warriors were the 18 and under Advanced league winners, Westend Gold the 18 and under Intermediate league winners, and Westend Aces won the 14 and under Intermediate league.

By winning the league, each team qualified for the sectional championships held in Princeton on July 30 & 31.
Everyone had a great time playing matches against opponents from all across the section.

On a special note, Jenna Peng was awarded the Sportsmanship Award. Congratulations, Jenna!

RACQUETBALL STATE DOUBLES IS COMING!
It’s back!  This year the Allentown Racquetball Club will be hosting the 2008 State Racquetball Doubles Tournament, October 11th and October 12th.  Applications can be found at the Member Service Desk.  So get your partner and start practicing today for this event.

If you have any questions contact Jodi Eslinger at ARC. 610-821-1300

IT’S EASY TO FIND THE RIGHT DOCTOR
Just call 610-402-CARE, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network’s special service. You can talk to a knowledgeable counselor who can help you find the right doctor for every member of your family. Call 610-402-2273 to find a doctor 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.