New Year, New Resolutions to Get Back into Shape After the Holidays

Now that the holidays are behind us, area residents may be looking to turn over a new leaf and get back into shape after indulging in holiday season excesses.

Dave Czajkowski is the new owner of the downtown Palatine Snap Fitness location at 19 W. Wilson Street, and is ready to provide the resources needed to help individuals reach their fitness goals in 2017.

"For more than a decade, I worked my way up in the fitness industry from entry level to management before purchasing this location in 2016," Czajkowski said. "I also have a background in personal training, and am here to share my expertise and help anyone who needs guidance."

Among his suggestions are several attainable goals that can help to start area residents off on the right foot, on their road to fitness success:

•Be consistent with workouts; 2-3 times per week is all you need to get started.

•Train smart-combine cardio with strength training.

•Consider working with a personal trainer to help with accountability.

•Eat healthier; add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet, and avoid junk food or soda.

•Supplement with protein.

•Get 8 hours of sleep per day, to maximize your results.

This fall, Snap Fitness underwent a complete rehab, which included new paint throughout, murals and new furniture that created a comfortable, yet professional atmosphere.

The location has all of the equipment needed to help people get a jump-start on fitness, including cardio equipment such as elliptical machines, treadmills and stationary bikes, as well as Cybex strength machines and a full line of free weights.

Snap Fitness offers the opportunity for people who work in the greater downtown Palatine area to get their workouts in before work, or even during a lunch hour. If those times don't fit, the gym never closes so all times of day and night are fair game.

"Individuals are very busy these days and looking for convenience; being open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year opens up the opportunity for people to get a workout at a time that fits in with personal and professional schedules and obligations."

An added convenience, he says, is that gym memberships can be used at any of the more than 2,000 locations throughout the state, and across the country, if people are travelling.

A new initiative started by Czajkowski is to encourage business owners to provide the gift of health and fitness to reduce sick time, which can increase employee productivity.

"Study after study shows employees are more productive and take less time off work due to illness when they exercise on a weekly basis," Czajkowski said.

Experiencing this positive outcome through his own management background, Czajkowski created Corporate Memberships, so that employers have options to give short or longer term memberships to employees at a group rate.

"This type of gift can be used to reward an employee of the month or show appreciation for a job well done, which also serves to enhance employee performance because they feel acknowledged for their work," Czajkowski said.

Personal training services are set to begin at the gym in the first quarter of 2017.

To schedule a tour of the Snap Fitness in downtown Palatine, call 847-852-4425 or visit the website at https://www.snapfitness.com/gyms/palatine-il-60067/549.