Member Spotlight: Jayne, Gina, and Payton
GINA:
1. What drew you to SPENGA?
It’s kind of funny that this was the first question. Actually Jayné drew me to spenga. I was feeling pretty low about myself and had talked to Jayné about needing to take time for myself and focus on my health. I always put myself to the side and focus on my family and work. So, Jayné had told me about spenga in Bloomingdale and thought we could connect and she could help with my accountability. Win-win. I get to see Jayné and workout.
2. Can you describe a specific moment at SPENGA that stays with you?
I think a specific moment that stays with me is when I made February Green Club, especially the month after I joined. I always start out strong with good intentions but it’s hard to stay focused. This was such a great moment for me.
3. What surprised you about SPENGA?
I think the thing that surprised me most about spenga is the relationship created here. I have had a rough summer and haven’t been going as regularly as I’d like. First I was recovering from an animal bite injury and then my poor dog, Riley, was very sick and passed away. When I returned, two of instructors asked where I’d been along with a few other people (including Payton ). I’m a very quiet person so I didn’t think anyone would notice my absence. It was so welcoming. It made me feel more than just a client or gym member.
4. How has SPENGA impacted your life outside of the studio?
Spenga has impacted me in a lot of what I do. Not only do I feel better but my home life balance is better. I don’t have the guilt I had when I would say I was going to spenga. My family waits for me and is very encouraging. It’s a great time to take a moment to myself and just focus on me and not the mom, the wife, the employee, just Gina.
JAYNE:
What drew me?
The fact that Spenga has legit cardio via Spin - and that someone was always going to tell me what to do for weights/yoga… that was what caught my eye. I had done spin for years at my former gym and loved it(!) but hardly ever participated in ‘other classes to balance everything out’. I of course did a tiny bit of strength and stretching myself but it was pretty lame. I knew immediately that if the Spenga format included the Spin portion I loved - *along with the other stuff I knew I should be doing* — Spenga was gonna be ‘just what I needed’. It HAS been just that! I definitely do best when someone else has a plan and is telling me what to do (at least for working out!, haha).
A Specific moment?
An instructor challenging the class participants (in one of my early classes) to “you do you”, telling us to be brave and not care one iota about what anyone else is doing next to/across from us in REP bc this was MY workout! That moment stuck with me, resonated and still helps me do hard things by myself, for myself, while I’m in the midst of others doing the very same things for themselves . I love that. I love that there is a formula/format for the Spenga classes but that members are encouraged to make the workouts their own and modify when needed. This is huge to me.
What Surprised me..?
I was surprised by how free I feel at Spenga - to be authentic and never have to apologize or fake something. Encouragement is so much more powerful than shaming or goading someone (even if you ‘know’ a person can do better/more)…the Spenga instructors (and my friends!) are 152% encouraging & positive in their words/actions. Their acceptance and strong positivity is absolute fuel for me to do my best *for me*. (And it feels good to believe my best doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s best!)
How has Spenga impacted my life outside ?
New friends - and a refreshed connection with a childhood friend. Payton, Gina and I are working on trying new & hard things…as we keep Spenga strong -as our base- while pushing, and encouraging one another in new jogging/running challenges. The camaraderie we’ve forged sweating alongside one another has definitely spilled over into our lives outside of the classes we attend! I am thankful for the community of Spenga that continues to help me stay positive and forward thinking in my self-care both physically and mentally. The time, energy and resources I make a priority regarding all things Spenga - absolutely transfers into a similar mindset in my personal and professional life goals. If something matters, I must take it seriously by showing up and doing something. One’s life doesn’t just get transformed internally or externally bc we wish for it… we’ve gotta WERK. I can do hard things - it’s not about anyone else’s best - it’s about figuring out what works for me and actually doing it . Love you Spenga!
PAYTON:
What drew you to SPENGA? Last summer I left my retail job and finally had time to do things after work. I knew I wouldn't stick to any workouts that weren't classes, so I started searching for some to take. I liked that SPENGA involved spin and strength, so I decided to give it a try. I immediately fell in love and here we are today!
2. Can you describe a specific moment at SPENGA that stays with you? A couple of months into my SPENGA journey, the Arlington Heights SPENGA was having a Halloween-themed RIDE. I wasn't going to do to it because I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle a 45-minute ride. The class that I'd signed up for before the RIDE ended up getting canceled, and they told me I should come to the RIDE instead. I decided to go and ended up really enjoying it! The instructor told me after she was so glad I did it so I could see for myself that I was capable. That's when I realized we can do so much more than we think we can.
3. What surprised you about SPENGA? I never expected it to be so addicting. I used to never stick to any workouts because I didn't enjoy them and couldn't get myself to keep doing them. SPENGA was different from day one. I loved going and hated when I had to miss a class. Things are still the same even a year later!
4. How has SPENGA impacted your life outside of the studio? It's a bit cliche, but I feel so much better in so many ways. I'm happier, healthier, and I have more confidence. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love SPENGA!
