How much does Kim Hawley believe in the results of Whole Body Fitness? She bought the company.

WHOLE BODY FITNESS

One day you find yourself stopped at a traffic light and realize your back kinda hurts. You feel a bit pudgy and not in great shape. You have an “I really need to join a gym” moment, but gyms can be intimidating and crowded, and you’re not sure what to do once you get there anyway.

Whole Body Fitness (WBF), right here in Chico, is a different kind of gym. They offer a personalized and managed experience every step of the way.

Chico resident Kim Hawley became a WBF member four years ago.

“Even though I qualify for the senior discount everywhere in town, it is important to me to maintain an active lifestyle. I rotated through a number of gyms and thought I had a pretty good routine, but I was not happy with my results.” Then, Kim happened to read an article about Whole Body Fitness in Upgraded Living. That same day, she scheduled a complimentary consultation with gym manager, Veto Rodriguez.

“Wow, did I learn a lot in that first meeting,” remembered Kim. “I learned that my body was not well-aligned from a postural standpoint. I learned that this leads to ineffective fitness results and can even

cause injury—sometimes with just day-today activities.”

In their first meeting, Veto told Kim about WBF’s Postural Programming methodology. “Everything we do here is individually tailored to the member. The program starts with bringing your body back into alignment and restoring lost function,” said Veto. “Then, building on this base, we help our members improve flexibility, balance, endurance, and strength.”

Kim started working out with Veto and began to see the changes she had been hoping for. “The experience was completely different than any gym I’d ever been to,” Kim said. “It’s different in two ways. First, it is a managed experience, with your personal trainer guiding you every step of the way. Second, it all begins with Postural Programming. The idea that you need to start getting fit by first building the right foundation is a head-slapper. Once I had a stable base, Veto moved me on to exercises that focus on functional mobility and strength. He showed me how to perform each exercise and continuously analyzed and corrected my posture and form. I can’t tell you what a difference it made.”

Kim was so impressed with her WBF experience she encouraged her husband, Tom van Overbeek, to give it a go. “I’m now 72 and have always been active, but as time went on, I felt like I was getting a bit lazy and had more aches and pains,” Tom recalled. “I was NOT a gym person, but Kim kept encouraging me to give WBF a try. Within a few short months, my pains completely disappeared. My balance, flexibility, and strength have improved a great deal, and I’m now enjoying my outdoor physical activities much more.” So who goes to WBF? “We have a varied group of members,” Veto smiled. “A few are pro athletes looking to raise their game while in Chico during the off-season. Some members are recovering from injuries or illnesses. Most of our members are primeof-life folks that have decided it’s time to live their best lives. It has been incredible to see their transformations. Being part of these journeys has meant the world to me.”

Kim and Tom were so impressed with their results that they purchased the gym in June of 2020. Though the COVID years were difficult for gyms, it gave them the time to completely revamp the Whole Body Fitness facility with top-shelf new equipment, ventilation, flooring, lighting, a sound system, brand new locker rooms, and a bright atmosphere both inside and out.

“In addition to improved fitness, our members really enjoy the social and community element at WBF,” finished Kim. “This is not a big box gym with thousands of members. It is a boutique, private gym with limited membership, making it a safe and personal place. There is so much camaraderie and support. I always tell people that owning this gym is a lot like owning a bar, where everyone knows your name, only healthier.”

With Kim and Tom at the helm, Whole Body Fitness is once again bringing its unique approach to health and fitness to Chico and its surrounding communities. You can find out more about WBF at www.wholebodyfit.net where you can also set up a complimentary consultation. Or contact them at (530) 487-8123 or office@wholebodyfit.net. Whole Body Fitness is located at 2954 Highway 32 Suite 600 in Chico.