Fine Lines Fitness instills a passion for living
By BETH HESTER
This happy group is all pumped up after finishing some strenuous interval training. From left: Fred Villareal, Dawn White, Michael Lawson, Kim Judson, Glynda Lawson, and Cassidy Lawson. Owner Tammy Harper calls the Lawsons "the incredible shrinking family " because of their commitment and success since they started working out in February 2007.
Tammy Harper, Certified Personal Trainer, and owner of Fine Lines Fitness is an unabashed outdoor junky. She participates in adventure racing, mountain biking and kayaking in addition to maintaining a strength conditioning routine. Her bearing is upbeat and relaxed, her smile a mile wide, and her enthusiasm and passion for living is very, very contagious. It's as if the entire world has called her to "come out and play," and she loves sharing her outdoor experiences with others.
"As a child I was always out running around in the woods behind our house," Tammy reflects. "I was always more comfortable being outside than anywhere else."
She also just happens to be a retired Air Force Aircrew Survival Instructor, and Aircraft Electrical Systems Specialist who couldn't wait to return to Isle of Wight county after her husband, Lee's, career temporarily relocated the family to Texas in 2002. Tammy and Lee have three children.
Tammy regularly coaches individuals who would like to venture out into Mother Nature ... but the first step is often getting back into condition. Before members begin a program of personal fitness, Tammy offers to perform an initial health assessment which may include an evaluation of muscular and cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. Once a baseline is established, clients can truly assess the results of their training. If a member has physical therapy or rehabilitation needs, Tammy, and her staff will work closely with their health care professionals to assist in the healing process.
Always safety conscious, Tammy will refer a client to his or her physician if there is ever any concern. Tammy's sound safety philosophy shines through in the ever-changing "Fitness Tips" that are regularly posted on her website: One of the quickest paths to injury is to do more than the body can handle, whether it 's strength, endurance, or flexibility exercise. Strive for a program of conservative progression - no more than 10% each week. No pain, no gain? Avoid this myth. Pain indicates a problem. Know the difference between muscle fatigue, which may be uncomfortable, and pain.
Her training regimens are individually designed to get clients into the best shape of their lives, but Tammy is quick to point out that it's not about finally getting into that size six dress, or losing a few inches around the waist.
"Technology is making us sedentary, which makes it easier for us to get out of shape," she says emphatically. "I think of Fine Lines Fitness Center as a tool, and my goal is to gently challenge and encourage our members, getting them fit so that they are able explore a wider range of activities, and simply get more out of life. Hampton Roads alone has so much to offer in terms of recreational opportunities."
The Fine Lines Fitness website states: "We have none of the fluff, but plenty of all the right stuff."
That may be true, as Fine Lines isn't outfitted with a Swedish sauna or cappuccino bar, but the 6,000 square foot, two-story building is chock full of high-quality equipment: bikes for spin classes, three tons of free weights, BAER, Hammer Strength, Life Fitness, Flex Fitness treadmills, elliptical cross trainers, and recumbent bikes.
The walls of the squeaky clean and attractive facility are lined with motivational posters, and snippets of quirky, witty maxims. Most importantly however, there are photographs of clients and their families. Those snapshots are really success stories. One could elicit dozens of positive testimonials from clients who've had life-changing results since making the commitment to work out regularly, but two in particular stand out: Ginny Bagnell is 70 years old, and has had surgery to relieve a bad shoulder. She began working out in September of 2007, attends session three times a week, and likes it so much that she has referred several of her friends.
"The people at the gym are just super friendly," Ginny says. "The atmosphere is comfortable and clean, and I appreciated the fact that Tammy and Nancy Guill, Tammy's administrative assistant and daytime manager, put me at ease right away. Tammy's manner is so encouraging, that I don't feel pressured. She worked out an individualized program for me, and it has really improved my range of movement. I have so much more flexibility now and also less pain. My routine is working wonders for me, and I intend on continuing with the programs at Fine Lines."
Tammy credits her husband, Lee, with much of Fine Lines' success. "He does so much around here," she says with great pride. "He's my computer guru, my IT guy, and we also call him our 'CJO' - Chief Janitorial Officer because he's the one who makes sure this gym is always squeaky clean."
Gary & Gayle Terwilliger take personal training with Tammy three times a week. Gary says he looks and feels much better than he did just eleven months ago.
"My experience with Fine Lines has been absolutely life-changing. I had stopped smoking, but I was overweight and leading a pretty sedentary life. I'm in my fifties, so I knew that something had to change," he says. "I've been working out three times per week for about eleven months now, and I can say without reservation that I haven't felt this good in 20 years. It's been an entire lifestyle change. I've suffered from arthritis in both knees, but now I can bound up the stairs, and pretty much do anything I want to do. My overall flexibility and strength is better, and Tammy has me focusing on problem areas. She really knows what she's doing!"
Tammy is proud of the fact that there is a sense of ease and camaraderie at the gym.
"This is a different type of place," she says. "Fine Lines is all about its members ... this is a gym full of 'real' people who are supportive of one another. What really sets Fine Lines Fitness apart is the mind-boggling range of activities available to members. There is no excuse for boredom! Every month, the online calendar if filled with interesting and sometimes exotic activities.
For example, the November and December calendars featured: Tai Chi, Yoga, kickboxing, women's self-defense and core strength training. Food drive notices and seasonal party invitations are also included. There are group day hikes and bike rides on the weekends, and gym members can train to prepare for marathons, or get conditioned for specific activities like hiking. There are trial membership periods and a number of attractive incentive packages.
New for 2008 is the Silver Circuit program, which is a strength and conditioning program for the 50-plus crowd, and new exercise classes are always being added. Tammy will continue to partner with local outfitters to put together various adventure activities centered around kayaking, hiking, rock climbing and camping.
Tammy's advice? "Starting an exercise program is the most important thing you can do for yourself. All aspects of your life depend on it."
