To many people, a new year usually brings with it the promise of new goals. As one of the fattest countries in the world, many new goals typically lean toward achieving a slimmer waistline just in time of summer.
Millions of Americans start the New Year off packing out fitness gyms or sweating the pounds away in grueling boot camps at daybreak. But, by February each year, only a faithful few are staying the course while many have already fallen off—opting to love their love handles a little while longer.
Alas, that doesn’t have to be the case. The Atlanta Metro area offers new “fitties” countless ways to achieve better health, with a variety of fitness centers, gyms, nature trails—like the Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County—as well as 5k runs/walks.
In the midst of it all these options, E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness may be a perfect alternative to what really gets in the way of achieving one’s health goals—accountability—according to owner/operator Keundric “Dooley” Loucious.
After all, the fitness center, conveniently located in southwest Atlanta, provides boot camps and personalized training services for its 1500-plus members, a roster that also includes professional athletes.
“We care at E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness,” he said, explaining how he personally oversees the wellbeing of all 1500 members and helps them reach their fitness goals. “There’s no way you can walk through those doors and not feel like you’re a part of something.”
Further, Loucious was candid about how he doesn’t expect everyone that comes to the Effect Fitness to be like anybody else. His youngest member is 12 years old, the oldest is 73. Nor does he expect people to be intimidated by any of the workouts either.
You are bound to move when you go to E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness, he explained. For the past four years E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness has hosted music-driven boot camps and small group classes, where the music helps to drive the momentum and energy of the classes.
The boot camp courses, which Loucious thinks are “amazing,” include “high-impact intensity strength training, cardio, and abs training that last an hour. Again, the accompanying high-energy trap music makes it more fun and exciting.
“I call it a ‘direct’ deposit,” Loucious said. “What you put in, you’ll get out.”
Unlike other gyms where you pay your membership and then go in only to misuse the equipment, E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness’ is boot camp-driven and thrives through its personal training sessions.
“I don’t want us to be locked in to a certain target group,” he said. “We target people and we want the right people to walk through the door.”
The fitness center is fully staffed with experienced professional trainers including Loucious. According to him, getting the best personal training and then taking the boot camps guarantee the best results.
Each person is different. People can burn up to 700 calories per boot camp session. Loucious believes that people should be based on their blood type, as he does, eating anything in moderation and portion control. Of course, you should stay away from fast food, he advises.
“It’s not rocket science,” Loucious explained. “People know what they need to be eating. You’ve got goals or you’ve got excuses.”
Additionally, he suggested that people eat more fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water. He also suggested that people hydrate before they get to the center. Loucious also encouraged that people work out in groups and not alone in order to stay motivated and to practice good habits to keep the weight off.
“It is impossible to do it alone,” he said. “Work out in a group of people to stay motivated.”
He is motivated by the people he sees training, as well as their growth at E.F.F.E.C.T., leaving people better than he found them.
Corey Johnson, 39 and Diane Ashford, 46 are both members of the gym. Johnson, who’s been a member for the past four months, lost 10 pounds in his first month.
“E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness is a family-oriented, encouraging, supportive place,” Johnson said. “I’m motivated to see others and see their success stories.”
Johnson hopes to lose 50 pounds by the time he turns 40 in August.
“I tried other gyms, but the motivation and encouragement at E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness is the difference,” Johnson said.
Ashford has been a member of E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness for the past two years and she loves it.
“I had joined other gyms, but nothing clicked like E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness,” said Ashford who was referred to Loucious by her former trainer. Ashford started out her first year doing the boot camps at Effect Fitness before getting a personal trainer.
“There is no comparison from other places,” she added. “It’s so much fun.”
Both Johnson and Ashford shared that they enjoy the high energy and the music in the classes.
“Everyone has had a bad trainer,” Loucious said. “We’re here today. Let’s move forward. The perception is, if you’re consistent and you work hard, we’ll get it done.”
What Loucious finds most rewarding is the results that he sees people get, as well as people taking on fitness as a lifestyle.
“It’s really and truly making an impact,” said Lucious speaking of his work. “I got into this not even knowing what I was doing (as a business) but I knew I cared about people & I knew I loved to work out.
“You don’t have to be in shape,” he added. “We service everyday people.”
For more information about how to become a member of Effect Fitness, visit effectfitness.com or call 404-254-0684.
