Testimonials

Fitness Milestone: I have developed strength throughout my body and am particularly pleased that I can actually see my biceps!

Favourite Class/Workout: The circuit classes provide variety because the routines are different every week.

Essential/Favourite Workout Song: Classic 70’s rock and roll – Gloria Gaynor, “I Will Survive”.

Fun Fact: I attended Quaker Hill Public School – now a museum!!

Holly C

Since starting my wellness journey at NRG 4 Life Fitness, I have… found a community that lifts me up and encourages me to continue achieving my goals every day.

Over the past year I have continued to push myself physically and have seen and felt a difference in my strength and endurance that has proven helpful in not only my confidence but my day to day life and activities.

I would like to share with others looking to embark on a transformation journey that it’s important to find a form of movement that you actually enjoy, and then be consistent with it – and don’t be hard on yourself, it’s what you do most of the time that counts.

Olivia G, Uxbridge

I’ve been a member at NRG since 2013. I do personal training to stay current and fresh with workout routines and ensure proper technique.

I come into the gym most mornings working out with NRG friends. The system truly works for the three of us. I enjoy sharing my fitness learnings with them. It’s very motivating for me to see how consistent we all stay. We always manage to inject a little fun and humour. That is key to making exercise stick.

Anna H, Uxbridge

Sarah’s Dad, Max, is proving that 80(+) is the new 60!

Most of our members enjoy the facilities we offer here at NRG 4 Life Fitness without giving much thought as to how we came to be here or the reasons as to why. I feel privileged to have been a part of the project team being the design engineer of the magnificent building, we all like to get our NRG on!

From the beginning of the design work, the detail drawings, approvals and permits, the manufacturing and site installation took almost 9 months and was delayed by a particularly bad winter in 2004.

I’m very proud of both Sarah and Terry for turning their dream into a reality. From the early days after shortly moving to Uxbridge, they tested the water and began building their brand starting with one four week Boot Camp some 20 years ago! Despite all the challenges of Covid, they stuck to their guns, pivoted, and never lost faith that their 6 000 full-service community-based fitness centre would thrive!

I have personally found the benefits of fitness are far reaching…when I’m at NRG I focus on balance training, strength and endurance not to mention flexibility and mobility which all help my hobbies like golf and gardening. I look forward to seeing you at NRG during one of my three weekly workouts!

Max Deans, Uxbridge

NRG 4 Life Fitness is my “Happy Place”! Coming to this fitness community lights up my heart and entices me to do and be my best. Signing up here was the final step of my recovery from Diabetes type 2. I have completely changed this diagnosis around.

I changed my nutrition, mindfulness and exercise including Aquafit and of course NRG 4 Life. All of this has made my life complete.

In the past, I have struggled with weight issues and what really opened my eyes was the Diabetes diagnosis in April of this year. That day, I knew I had to do something about it and I really wanted to feel and be healthy.

Thanks to reaching my goals and more, I have a much healthier lifestyle and this includes regular visits to my “Happy Place”, NRG 4 Life and shedding 55 pounds. If I’m not using the equipment, I can always attend a class both in the gym or online. This entire journey has been outstanding because I love going to NRG 4 Life where I feel no pressure, meet up with friends and share smiles with new people.

When I walked through the door for the first time since pre covid, I was greeted with a warm welcome from both Terry and Sarah. NRG 4 Life is my go to place for happiness and a healthier me.

Melanie F, Uxbridge

NRG is such an inspiration to me. Walking through the door
immediately gives me energy and a willingness to strive to improve my health.

The NRG team are fun, upbeat, knowledgeable, professional and so welcoming. This year I decided to work with a personal trainer. I have been working with the fabulous Maria. Her knowledge,
commitment, enthusiasm and creative programs have so improved my fitness and strength. I always shied away from weight training but I
can honestly say “I am a total convert”!

Patricia O, Uxbridge

I have been an NRG 4 Life gym member for over 10 years now. I joined when NRG was in their interim location above Uxbridge Bowl! At the time, I was running exclusively for exercise and thought adding some classes would enhance my running. I quickly got addicted to the classes along with the fun and camaraderie I was having at the gym. Along the way, there were friendly competitions, group challenges and group trips, all which in turn, have built lifelong friendships.

Steve joined NRG 3 years ago with strengthening goals to improve and enhance his golf game as well as hockey in the winter.

2020 was a challenge for all and having the gym shut-down was equally as difficult for us as it was for others. I got back into running and walking daily to keep myself mentally strong as well as staying fit. We were both grateful when we managed to get back to the gym each time they let up restrictions so that we could resume our workouts. While Steve prefers to workout alone using the machines and free weights, I thrive with being pushed in a fitness class or stretching and finding my zen at yoga! I am so happy to have found a gym that offers something for each of us.

By December 2020 though, through the lockdowns, Steve and I both had gained about 20 lbs. I knew that I had to work on my food consumption in conjunction with my exercise. We had always eaten healthy but the snacking had increased (and not the healthy kind). As we were working on cleaning up our “kitchen”, Steve had a minor health issue in February, which could have been much more serious. This just further solidified that we really needed to clean up our kitchen in addition to maintaining our active lifestyle and exercise programs. We adopted a more mediterranean style of eating, which is recommended as very heart healthy and continued to exercise as we had been doing. Steve ended up dropping 40 lbs over the course of 2021 and I dropped 25 lbs. We have greatly appreciated the support of Sarah and Terry over all these years as well as our gym friends. It is nice to belong to a fitness facility where the members support each other as much as the employees do.

Even though we moved outside of town in October 2021 you aren’t losing us as members. We are still active virtually with the occasional in-person visit so we can catch up with everyone live.

Elaine & Steve Large, Lindsay, Ont.

My struggle with fitness began early in high school. My 6’ 2” body was not cooperating with my mind the way it should and left me very awkward. And of course, all phys ed classes those days were based on team sports. I was a real magnet for any projectile and have been hit in the head with baseballs, pucks, golf balls, basketballs, you name it! Of course my lack of coordination led to me being last chosen for teams, laughed at by classmates and yelled at by gym teachers. I much preferred cooperative activities to the competitive sports where you felt you were letting your team down if you didn’t score. It was no wonder I dropped out of phys ed classes as soon as it was possible.
Later, my career path, lead me to becoming a teacher for DDSB. The constant travelling up and down stairs, in classes, on yard duty and running school plays did a fairly good job of keeping me from becoming too overweight.
My final five years saw a move to the board office as a program facilitator. This entailed a lot more meetings, desk work and travelling to schools by car and I started to notice a deterioration in my fitness level. Just prior to retirement, there was a fire drill at the board office and when we came back inside, the trip up the stairs to the third floor left me winded and light headed. I knew I had to get active.
Upon retirement, one of my goals was to join a gym. I started at one of the big name fitness clubs in Oshawa and signed up for a personal training session. He designed a program for me and I started out with great intentions but gradually lost motivation. Navigating this alone, it was too easy to take shortcuts and cheat. I signed up for a few classes and that helped, however, the class sizes were huge and I felt invisible. In the two years I was there, there was not one staff member still there from when I started. No one stayed more than a few months.
Then we moved to Uxbridge and I found NRG4Life. This was the gym I needed. Class sizes were smaller, the staff were encouraging and always coming up with alternatives. In addition, the other members were friendly and accepting. Terry asked initially what I wanted to get out of the gym. I told him I was not looking to win any bodybuilding competitions or run a marathon. I was there to maintain the fitness level I was at currently as I got older. He completely understood and recommended some of their classes. That was seven years ago and I am still staying active and enjoying a variety of classes from circuits to Zumba, yoga to conditioning!
Two years ago, I suffered two subdural hematomas within the space of a couple months which required surgery to open my skull. I firmly believe that I was able to recover fully due in part to my years of the group fitness classes improving my overall health. I was able to return to the gym and the level of fitness I was comfortable with. I remember Neil asking how I was when I came back. I told him I was the same now as before the surgery and he replied, “That’s too bad!”. You have to laugh! I remember Sarah shaking her head at the time, however, we all knew it was tongue in cheek and that kind of friendly rapport at NRG that helps to keep me coming back!
For me, the most important part of a personal fitness journey is finding out what works for you and sticking to it. For me, I need the structure and accountability of group classes and a friendly peer group to chat with. NRG 4 Life provides that!

Bernie Beales, Uxbridge

I have lost weight in the past and have gained it back within the year again if not, even more weight. This time, it has been different. This March it will be four years I have kept off my weight. I lost 90 lbs and the most I have gained is 8 lbs over the past four years and that is after having four medical setbacks/surgeries.
What makes this time different than any other time you may ask? I realized you can’t just do a quick fix, a crash diet. You need to do a lifestyle change and more importantly, you need to love yourself. It is both mental and physical. I also realize everything is in moderation. I still allow myself to have a treat every once in a while but I actually enjoy them more when it is a treat.
For me I decided, if I don’t take care of myself first, I won’t be around to help my kids, my parents, my friends. It’s not selfish to take good care of yourself. I was over 240 lbs. I could hardly breath when I walked. My self-esteem was so low.
I know it’s hard to get started but I promise you, once you get started, you won’t regret it. I know if I don’t work out, I get grumpy. I love going to NRG4LIFE! The endorphins you get from working out give you increased energy and happiness.
My kids also see the change in me and are starting to eat healthier and work out. I actually hold my head up while out instead of trying to hide from the world. I am happy. I am healthy.
Sometimes it takes you to find the right combination for yourself. If working out alone isn’t helping you take the weight off, talk to a nutritionist. In my case I use MyFitness pal app. It makes me accountable for what I put in my mouth and shows me if I am eating too much of one food group. I also have found a healthy weight management coffee that curves my sugar cravings.
One of the best things you can do if you need help, reach out to a gym buddy for motivation, accountability, tips what has helped them. Everyone has their struggles so it’s nice to surround yourself with other positive people working on improving their health too. I am always willing to be your cheerleader!
Remember you are worth it and nothing tastes as good as healthy makes you feel.

Tara Baker, Uxbridge

In March 2014, I quit smoking after many years of struggling to end the terrible habit. That very week, I joined NRG 4 Life at their new dream Facility that had just opened. I was also dealing with a very sick child and decided I needed to start and focus on my best health in order to cope with the overwhelming stress I was dealing with in my life. It is truly the best decision I could have made.
Not only did NRG become my home away form home, my sanctuary and pillar, both mentally and physically during the loss of both my parents in the same year, and the on going myriad of medical treatments for my daughter but the relationships that I formed with members and instructors have been incredibly motivating and continually supportive. With so many different classes available, I can choose anything from a core workout to a full body workout to a yoga class that will have both my mind and body relaxed and refocused. The momentum of the exercise has given me the strength to remove a lot of added sugar from my diet which has greatly added to my overall health and well-being!
I want to be my best person and I want to live my best life. We all deal with life’s ups and downs, no matter how up or how down they may be. Having the confidence to embrace each day with a positive and steadfast attitude is not easy, NRG 4 life has empowered me to do just that, supporting me through a pragmatic and continued commitment to myself.
To date, I am now almost 7 years a non-smoker and, I have finally reached my milestone goal; I have trimmed down three sizes and am back into the same size I was when I was 19! ~ Thank you NRG 4 Life!

Tara Learning

“A lot of people talk about the physical benefits of regular exercise but for me, the benefits stretched to include mental health. A couple of years ago, I changed my life: I retired from a 30+ year career, said goodbye to long commutes and longer hours of work; we sold our house and moved to Uxbridge. It wasn’t before long, though, that the joys of retirement started to – dare I say it? – weigh heavily on me: like anybody sampling newfound freedom, I did all the fun things: tried new restaurants, expanded my cooking skills, walked the trails and enjoyed reading books I put off for years. But it wasn’t enough; I felt as I was missing something. I’d always been active but post-retirement, it felt like the goal posts had moved.
I chose NRG because of the combination of classes and exercise equipment gave me choices in designing my exercise routine. NRG allows me to challenge myself, to set my own goals and feel a sense of accomplishment when I meet them. My exercise routine at NRG is now an essential part of my well-being and something to look forward to, and (bonus!) I can indulge in the results of my cooking without guilt!”

Susan Webb, Uxbridge

A Dream Comes True: Terry and Neil spent 6, one hour personal training workout sessions with me. I wanted to strengthen my legs and arms for the challenges that I would face at Space Camp for Educators in Huntsville, Alabama. Terry put me through a variety of exercises while Neil encouraged me to work to my limit and slightly beyond! While my main goal was to increase my physical strength, I noticed my confidence level increased with each workout too. By the time I reached the Space & Rocket Center, I felt confident. As each day unfolded with different physical and intellectual challenges, I gave 110%. I did every activity and tried every challenge. Ever since I was 8 years old, I dreamt of experiencing anything related to prepping for outer space. At Space Camp, I experienced simulated missions using the space shuttle while in the control room to insure a successful mission. From the end of June until July 2, 2018, my dream came true. Thank you, Terry, Neil and NRG 4 Life Fitness for helping me achieve a childhood dream. (Photo from Stephen Wright of Wright Web & Photo)

Stan T.