Thomas Peeks - Owner

Owner's Background:
Prior to opening Fitness Together, I had spent 30 years in corporate America, the last 22 with Xerox Corp in various sales and operations management positions. In April of 2003 began an apprenticeship at the Fitness Together Studio in Menlo Park, CA. Became a Certified Personal Trainer in August. Opened Fitness Together Lafayette in October 2003.

Inspiration:
After making the decision to leave corporate America I was faced with the question of what to do next. I have always kept myself in good physical condition through diet, exercise and an overall healthy lifestyle. I personally realized the improved quality of life that comes with good health and fitness. I also realized that the number of out of shape Americans is reaching epidemic proportions. It then occurred to me that I could make a rewarding and fulfilling career by helping others to improve their quality of life through better fitness and health.

Greatest Satisfaction of Having This Business:
Being able to help people to get in the best shape they have ever been in, and the resulting improved quality of life they experience.

What Advice Can You Give Your Customers?
Congratulations on taking the first step towards prioritizing your health and fitness. Without good health and fitness your overall quality of life is severely diminished. Follow your program and I guarantee you that you will met your goals, and your quality of life will be greatly enhanced.

Philosophy in Life:
Always continue to improve mentally, physically and spiritually.

Business Goals:
To have the most satisfied clients and employees in the fitness industry.

*The previous exerpts appeared in the "It's my Business" Column in the Contra Costa Sun Feb 18, 2004

Marcus Smith, Trainer

Marcus has 10 years experience working as a Personal Trainer and Healthy Lifestyle Consultant and is certified as a personal trainer with the Health and Fitness Institute. He specializes in helping clients achieve their fitness goals through education about fitness and lifestyles. There is no effective "one size fits all" fitness program. He designs a personal training program, tailored to the need of the client.

There are many aspects to living a healthy and fit lifestyle, moderation and patience are the key to a successful program. Marcus teaches his clients to make time in their busy schedule for their fitness program to enable them to meet their goals. Without a written goal you have no direction.

Marcus has worked with a wide variety of clients, ranging from adolescents who want to improve their sport skills, to senior citizens who want to improve their balance.

Marcus has been a resident of Lafayette for 7 years. As an avid motivator and educator, he has volunteered his time as a public speaker to promote health and fitness to senior groups and several corporate settings.

Michael Petties, Trainer

Michael has been a fitness advocate every since his early days of playing youth sports. He continued with organized sports throughout high school and played football at the collegiate level. He has worked as a pharmacy technician where he gained valuable insight into dietary supplementation. He has an Early Childhood Education Certification and has worked as a teacher, administrator and director. This background has been a tremendous aid to him in working with children, teenagers and adults. This, combined with Michael being a single parent, accounts for the great deal of empathy he has in training his clients.

Michael achieved his initial certification from Hayward Sports and Fitness Institute in 1990 and has been a personal trainer since that time working in various fitness venues in the Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hills/Concord area. In addition to training, Michael also does diet and supplementation consulting. He makes time to coach youth and high school football and baseball as part of his commitment to his community. Michael believes that by combining an ever evolving work out program with knowledge, support and encouragement he can help his clients reach their health and fitness goals.

Mark Larks, Trainer

Mark received his trainer’s certification in 2003 from Cal State Hayward’s program with the World Instructor Training Schools. His decision to become a trainer was the culmination of a lifelong interest in fitness, combined with over a decade of working as a tutor for various bay area school districts. Mark feels that one of his greatest strengths as a trainer lies in his ability to educate his clients while training them. It is important to him that his clients know and understand the reasoning behind their program.

Mark also believes that empathy for his clients is vitally important as well. When he was younger he struggled to gain weight; more recently he learned, firsthand, what it is like to have to lose unwanted weight. In addition, he has had to rehabilitate injuries to his knee and shoulder. Through his own experiences in the gym, Mark feels he can relate to a broad population, and this understanding helps him to connect and communicate with his clients while training them.

While educating and empathizing are important, Mark believes that that humor is also a key component when it comes to training a client. Mark’s philosophy is that training is hard work, but it gets easier if one is enjoying some laughs!

Christy Dalton, Trainer

Christy has been involved in the fitness industry for over fourteen years. Her athletic background prompted her interest in helping others to enjoy the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. Being a competitive gymnast, triathlete, and marathon runner have taught her that being disciplined and consistent are key ingredients in obtaining your goals. She finds it extremely rewarding to teach this school of thought to others.

Christy became interested in fitness as a career while attending Saint Mary's College in Moraga. She became ACE certified as a group fitness instructor and began teaching a variety of classes at gyms throughout the Bay Area. Christy enjoys teaching step, circuit, exerball and body sculpting, to all levels.

Teaching classes to large groups eventually evolved into teaching to individuals. Christy began her personal training career after her first son was born as a way to stay linked to the fitness industry, but also be a full time "Mom". She obtained an ACE certification and has studied specifically in the areas of sports conditioning, programming for the older adult, SPRI exerball and rubber resistance. Christy has worked with a wide range of clientele at many health clubs throughout the Southbay and Lamorinda area.

Christy was born and raised in Moraga, graduated from Saint Mary's College, and holds a BA degree in communications. Outside of personal training, Christy's family is her top priority. She and her husband live in Orinda with their two young sons. Christy is a volunteer in the Orinda schools and is a Member of the USA Track and Field