Profiles in Fitness: The All-Seasoners
At FitMe Wellness, members are invited to “find their fit.”
This philosophy recognizes that, while our paths will often cross, every member has a separate path to better health. Our member spotlight feature, “Profiles in Fitness,” brings you stories of how FitMe Wellness members have found their fit in the hopes that it will inspire you on your own path to health and wellness. You will ideally see bits and pieces of yourself in FitMe members’ stories. At first glance, you might not be able to see what you have in common with someone. We all, however, tend to struggle with similar issues when it comes to living healthier lives. Enjoy!
Nothing — neither polar vortices nor pummeling springtime rains nor surprise October snowfalls — keeps Jim Knutson and Frank Rotello from their 5:30 a.m. biweekly training session. “During last year’s polar vortex, I got a message from my trainer Tracy the night before our workout, noting that the forecast called for record lows,” Frank remembers. “I thought nothing of it and showed up the next morning.” Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom . . . Think of them as the FitMe equivalents of your reliable U.S. Postal Service carrier.
Both lifelong athletes, Jim and Frank have a friendship that goes back decades. Frank attended Boylan High School with Jim’s wife, Fran. When their children were in middle school, they converged on the mean, competitive hardcourts of Holy Family’s gym, for Wednesday night parent basketball. “Frank laid a pick on me that landed me in the bleachers,” Jim jokes. “At that point, I thought, I’ve got to get stronger.”
Jim joined FitMe when it opened in May of 2011. He attended a range of group classes, from spinning to strength training, and brought Frank into the fold. It evolved into paired team training shortly thereafter. For both, having an accountability buddy keeps them to their morning routine. So does the healthy competition of their arrangement.
“Frank is a beast on the rower,” Jim notes. “If left to my own devices, I’d clock in a lot slower. But rowing next to him pushes me to push myself.” The pair notes the benefits of consulting with a trainer, citing that each fitness professional they’ve worked with has taken the time to get to know their unique needs and profiles. For Frank, who always preferred competitive sports to gym settings, training sessions also ensure variety, allaying potential boredom and guaranteeing balance in terms of cardio and strength training.
But beyond accountability and competition, there’s also community. Both Jim and Frank note that their fellow pre-breakfast regulars at FitMe set the tone for the day and provide a dose of early morning comedy. Occasionally, they even join some of their fellow weight lifters and elliptical striders in off-hours, enjoying coffee outings or dinner at local restaurants. “It’s just a really great group of people that’s had a tremendous impact on my outlook towards fitness,” Jim says.
Rest assured, you’ll find these two — regardless of the predawn winter weather conditions — running, rowing, cycling, and lifting under the watchful eye of their trainer. •
