Taking it to the NEXT LEVEL

by Abby Meaux Conques

If you think Lafayette recently acquired another run-of-the-mill gym with Next Level Fitness + Nutrition, you should take another look.

If Next Level Fitness + Nutrition is new to you, you’re bound to hear more about it soon. The Next Level name has three current locations in the Acadiana area with a fitness center and two nutrition bars; as soon as we’re on the other side of this virus debacle, a fourth location (another fitness location) is set to open in New Iberia.

The original location is a nutrition club and gym combo located at 210 Production Drive in Lafayette next to Walmart on Pinhook Road. It’s a 4,500 square foot facility focusing on sports training with the team behind the name being exceptional elite athletes with Business Management degrees, professional trainers with multi-level certifications, nutrition coaches, and licensed physical therapists. This is, by no means, your average training facility. You’d think this is a spot where only elite athletes can train. The crazy thing is, no matter your fitness level (even if you’re a complete beginner), your age, gender, or physical ability, there’s something for you. The fitness center prides itself on their age-diverse and culturally-diverse clientele.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE FITNESS CENTER

In trying to keep their expansive offering list in the simplest of forms, they offer sports training, spin classes, boot camp classes, tone fitness classes, self defense classes, zumba classes, yoga, HIIT classes, kickboxing, and even CuRobiks (a mixture of calisthenics, aerobics and line dancing method by multi-platinum recording artist, Cupid).

The fitness club was started with the sole intent of having the desire to help people (depending on fitness level) either get healthier in the most effective way possible or to fine tune athletes to gain small differences which have big effects. The team behind the brand always wanted to be able to help kids in some facet. They’re athletes whose life identities were based in sports; some from as young as the age of five. Once you go through all of the formidable years of playing sports, and you’re able to play competitively beyond that, all days playing that sport are seen as blessings from the athletes that run the fitness center. Playing at elite levels made them realize that no human can compete forever, so once their high-level playing days were done, they knew that they were called to serve others in realizing their ultimate potentials.

Next Level offers individual and group classes, always led by certified instructors, most of them having multiple level instruction certifications. What sets this fitness center apart from other gyms is their attention to detail. When speaking to the Director of Operations for the Next Level Company, Amber Bessard, she was able to illustrate the gravity of meticulous instruction in training classes. “We don’t simply teach general classes. We coach clients how to get effectively faster, how to fall properly for protection, how to be explosive, understanding the importance of balance, improving stability, how flexibility aids the body in working better.” She continued, “Then we have the nutrition side...we have Herbalife specialty drinks and immune-boosting supplements to keep your body firing on all cylinders...putting in work when your body is at rest. We have nutritionists and wellness coaches that can meal plan for optimal health. We even offer healthy breakfast options at our nutrition bars. We’re a complete elite facility.”

Even though their first location opened less than a year ago, they have clients experiencing great results. “We have clients ages 3 - 79; many of our clients up in age are so happy when they can decrease medication. They light up when they tell us their doctor praised their lowered blood pressures. That’s what it’s all about...those life-changing results,” Bessard mentioned. They offer a variety of programs where you can pay per class or opt for a membership. Since all fitness and age levels from 3 on up are accepted, most programs also offer modifications for people with limited mobility issues, making the facility a collectively inclusive one.

The fitness club offers toddler and kid classes with fun drills to help them retain the information that will help give them an edge when they get to competitive level sports. Older kids and high school kids get specific instruction that shows how effective small tweaks to training have big effects. This is especially important to kids who want to see playing time at the high school and college level.

Personally, I was amazed when I watched a video on the Next Level Facebook page where they showed a split screen side-by-side result where a teen athlete has a false step to take off for a sprint versus a corrected step. That seemingly small difference bought fractions of a second - the difference between being chosen for a team during a combine or not. They share improvement videos on the site regularly, indicating the vast difference in performance with an incorrect arm swing while running compared to a corrected arm swing. Why would this be important? Think stolen bases in a State Championship game. This is the kind of direction that high-level athletes can offer younger generations.

With this level of guidance, Next Level recently became the Official Training Facility for the Louisiana Christian Community College (LCCC). This school is currently on track to become Louisiana’s first Junior College. Next Level even participated in a scholarship program for athletes and hosted the LCCC’s recent combine.

MORE THAN FITNESS FOCUSED

One of the impressive things about this facility is their commitment to community on top of what they offer as a fitness center. Every month, the facility offers a special event for all members as added value. “One month we had a Financial Fitness course where a financial advisor came in and spoke to people about beneficial financial moves. We incorporated movement breaks where the class got up and participated in fitness-related activities to get them conscious of taking breaks while being seated for lengths of time,” Bessard explained. “We want to make sure we give them tools that they can incorporate in everyday life.” They also hosted a “Mapping It Out” event where members created vision boards. Bessard added, “Every goal should start with a plan. The Vision Board workshop was successful...we have entrepreneurship seminars where other professionals come in and share information with our clients. We want to help people as a whole, not just related to fitness goals. Everyone should have a chance to succeed.” For the kids, they offer gaming tournaments to incorporate a sense of community and a safe place to gather.

MANDATORY DOWN-TIME

During these times of federally suggested stay-at-home orders, Next Level is keeping their clients moving by hosting a virtual #NextLevelStayAtHomeChallenge where they challenge members to post a video or go live on social media completing their daily fitness challenge. Clients who participate in the challenge are eligible for a FREE month of classes & 8 FREE personal training sessions or Elite Sports Sessions once fitness businesses can resume operations.

Once the all-clear is given for gyms to reopen, Next Level definitely deserves a look into if you’re looking for an elite experience with a company whose focus is on the whole-person and not just the fitness side.