The Dang gym wants our parents to enjoy their workouts and not worry about their children while they are here. We have a full staff of dependable and responsible employees watching over the little Dangaroos from infants to 12 years old.

Hours coincide with morning and evening aerobic classes as well as Saturday morning. You can rest assured your kids are under the best of care during your workout.

Unlike most fitness facilities, our Child care is offered to members at no added cost. That’s right it’s FREE.

Being a successful trainer is not always about how much money you make but, how your clients respond to training. Jimmy is one of the best. Most of Jimmy’s clients have been with him for years and they continue to improve their fitness levels and health under his direction or they wouldn’t keep coming back. A personal trainer counts on referrals from exciting clients to add new clients. His knowledge about nutrition, post physical therapy and weightlifting is an important asset to our club.

Jimmy is also the Dang Gym’s General Manager. On top of keeping our members fit and healthy, he has to face the everyday challenges of operating a business. He is always trying to keep expenses under control and provide the best place possible to serve our fitness community.

Congratulations to Cheryl Simmons, Dang Gym office and manager and the 2011 Employee of the Year. Selected by all the employees at our gym, Cheryl’s dedication to our members, the business and to fellow employees earned her this honor.

Most of the aerobic classes are done here on our multi-purpose court. You can pick up a current class schedule in our lobby.

Cold weather keeping you indoors? Play some basketball, volleyball or workout on our heavy bag, all located on multi-purpose court.

Along with all our cardio equipment, we also have a running or walking track upstairs.

The Dang Gym offers a variety of classes that accommodate everyone’s fitness level from the beginner to the advanced member. Pick up a current class scheduled in our lobby.

DG member, Elaine Marrs

Fitness has always been a way of life for me. I met my husband at a gym so, guess you can say it is a family tradition. We come from different backgrounds of fitness; he is a former personal trainer and I was a college athlete.

I piddle most of the time when it comes to weight lifting. I have found that I need some kind of driving force to get focused. Last year, I was approached about joining a ” Biggest Loser ” competition at Wheat Middle school. I was at my heaviest, 170 pounds. Needless to say, it became a no-brainer for me; get healthier/happier and have the possibility to win a little money at the same time.

The staff at the Dang Gym was absolutely marvelous, supporting me through the ups and downs of training and nutrition. Anytime you choose to make a change in life, if you don’t have a good support group, you are more likely to fall short of your ultimate goal. They always asked how I was doing and if there was anything they could help me with. I talked to each of the trainers multiple times throughout the training. They were very insightful and motivating.

Towards the end of the ” Biggest Loser ” experience, the competition was getting tight and I was getting smaller than I ever expected or desired. At this point I was not just losing weight, I was losing interest. I had to seek out a new goal that would help me finish the competition. I started running and was immediately addicted. Even though I was small, it took what weight was left off. The winning weight was 128 pounds and it was me!

You may have expected the story to be over but, now I was ready to train for a marathon. Again, I returned to Jimmy for training advice, M.J. and Bob for nutrition, and Tacy for constant encouragement/updates. The members there are amazing as well. Numberous Dang Gym enthusiast kept up with my progress and always had positve things to say as well as, any previous experiences with marathon training.

I finished my first marathon in 4:17:55 gaining 1608 place out of 27,000 contestants that started. The Dang Gym has an extraordinary wealth of knowledge, a sense of family and support, for this I am truly blessed and thankful.

Elaine Marrs

Personal Trainers

You walk into the gym for the first time or, you’ve been working out for months with little results. You’ve made the decision to work with a personal trainer but, which trainer do I want?

Most of the top rate fitness facilities require their trainers to be certified with one of the top five certification organizations before a prospective employee will even be considered. NASM, NSCA, ACSM, ISSA or Ace are among the top five certifications in the country. Any of these certifications require advance study and testing at an average cost of $600. In order to keep up with advances in the fitness and nutrition industry, a trainer must earn at least 20 ceu’s every two years. Paying for a personal training package can be costly but, it’s worth it, providing that you choose a trainer with the best education the industry offers. There are places available to get a piece of paper that says certified personal trainer at a cost from $49 to $150. These so called certifications require little study and low level testing to complete. For those of you who maybe considering a career as a personal trainer remember, most high quality companies will not accept any of these certifications. Whether you are hiring a trainer or, wanting to be a trainer, do some research before spending your money.

Remember, you are basically hiring this person to do a job for you. Just like any employer would, interview the prospect. Find out about their experience and their education. Ask to speak to other members who have worked out with the trainer.

Whether you hire a trainer with a certification from one of the top five organizations or one with a lesser certification, you are going to pay the same fee. Get the best for your money, your time and your health.

M. J. Wilkerson
ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer
ISSA Certified Specialist in Performance Nutrition
ISSA Certified Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning

Pictured are Ryan Stewart and his two sons, Luke, 3 yrs. old and Dax, 3 mons. Mother, Davina Stewart was featured in a previous article. Ryan and Davina have been members of the Dang Gym since the beginning. Since they joined, we have watched their family grow.

Three year old Luke has been a regular in the Dangaroo Club since he was nine weeks old and now, brother Dax is following in his footsteps. Ryan, a 1996 CHS graduate, also attended Texas Tech. Ryan has been employed by the Cleburne Fire Dept for eleven years as a firefighter and paramedic. It looks like Luke so far, is following in dad’s steps, still too early to tell about Dax.

While the boys are having fun in the Dangaroo Club, dad is busy working out. Ryan works a split routine dividing muscle groups for maximum results. He also enjoys running outdoors for his cardio work. Ryan also enjoys rebuilding trucks, hunting and watching Texas Tech play football. A great dad, a good friend and an important part of the Dang Gym family. I am happy to feature Ryan, Luke and Dax in this weeks Dang Gym article.

M. J. Wilkerson CFT, SMAC, SPN
The Dang Gym

In my opinion this is one truly remarkable woman. Carolyn who has been a member of the Dang Gym for a couple of months came in determined to get stronger and fitter. Carolyn, along with her husband Air Force Colonel Rob Preisinger (ret), have brought eight children into this world and have adopted three more. Six of the eleven children still live at home.

Carolyn chose the Dang Gym because, ” I just like the feel of the gym”. How on earth do you have the time to workout?, I asked. ” It helps me deal with the stresses of everyday life. I don’t believe it’s selfish to take some time for myself, especially if it makes me a better person both mentally and physically “. After being stationed all over the world, Carolyn and her family settled in Godley four years ago.

Carolyn works out with weights on a three day split program. She also goes to Splash Station three days a week to swim for an hour. She is obviously a very strong willed woman who will reach any fitness goals she sets. Carolyn is already very strong which makes it fun for me to be her trainer. Carolyn is proof that you can take the time to improve your health, you just have to do it.

Carolyn is a wonderful addition to the Dang Gym family and we are very happy to have her here with us. I just want to say thanks to Carolyn for choosing our gym and for allowing me the privilege to train you.

M.J. Wilkerson CFT, SPN
The Dang Gym

Group Fitness

Group Fitness classes are a great way to get in shape or change up your routine if you are already working out. The Dang Gym offers a wide variety of Group Fitness classes ranging from mind/body classes like Yoga and Pilates to high intensity classes such as Spin, Kickboxing, and Muscle Conditioning classes to fresh, funky dance fitness classes such as Zumba.

The gym has a staff of qualified, energetic instructors who make the classes interesting and fun while challenging participants to work at their own level. Staying motivated is a key factor in sticking to any exercise program and group fitness is a wonderful way to stay motivated. With so many classes to choose from and enthusiastic inspiration from the instructors, it’s easy to keep up with exercise goals! All classes at The Dang Gym are multi-level, meaning that each participant works at their own level with the instructor providing modifications for beginners up to advanced exercisers.

Convenient class times make it easy to find one that fits any schedule. For the 8-5 employee, The Dang Gym offers classes both early in the morning and evenings. The gym also has a variety of morning classes perfect for moms who want to work out right after dropping the kids off at school. Lunch time classes are offered as well! The possibilities are endless with the gym’s Group Fitness Program. All classes are free to members.
If you are not a member, a Group Fitness membership is available for $40 plus tax. This enables you to attend any 10 Group Fitness classes! At $4 a class, this is a great way to try out the program!

Lori Clayton
Dang Gym Group Fitness Instructructor

Friday Night at The Dang Gym was Zumba-for Life night! Instructors Lori Clayton, Sheri Hayworth, Laura Borondy kept the crowd moving with a wide variety of music. The parking lot was filled with enthusiast ready to have a cardio workout and show some new Zumba-ist the moves that would give them a workout like no other. The Zumba-thon was held from 7-10 PM. Some of Johnson County Relay for Life team members from The Movers and Shakers were there to sell hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, water, ect. to raise money for their team. “We are hoping to make this an annual event for our team to raise money for Relay for Life,” said Gary McCleary. “It is a fun and healthy way to raise money and awareness of our fight against this disease.”

Relay For Life is June 4th, at 6 PM. It takes place at the Marshall Young Sports Complex on Cleburne High School campus