by Joyce Lancaster
Michael Concannon, owner of Fitness Together, has always been active in his personal and professional life. He is a real estate developer, an attorney and a musician. He began learning martial arts when he was 13 years old and has played various sports throughout his life.
Michael understands an athlete’s mindset when it comes to training. He also understands how to fill a building with a good business. Of course, it helps to own the building. When the previous owner of the Fitness Together franchise wanted to sell his business Michael says, “I liked the idea of owning a fitness club and I bought the franchise. I’ve never owned a fitness club before, but I have been training in the martial arts since I was young. I used to train at the other Fitness Together on Washtenaw Avenue. Also, I played baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, swimming, tennis and golf. The thread has always been martial arts.”
He continues,”Like our motto says, “1 Client 1 Trainer 1 Goal.” We have personalized one-on-one service. In today’s world, it’s very difficult to get to the gym. When you’re paying for it and you have an appointment the client has an obligation both morally and financially to show up. The trainers are able to offer an intense workout in 45 minutes.” Fitness Together is staffed with four trainers and MJ LaDuke, Manager of Business Development. MJ says, “All our trainers are certified and they work closely with each client to achieve the client’s personal goals. The trainer and client customize the routine based on the client’s fitness goals. Some of those goals might include lowering blood pressure, increase flexibility, weight loss or balance.” She elaborates regarding the trainers, “ I was speaking with a 70-year-old woman, who was on the same routine with her granddaughter at Bally’s. There’s no way the same routine would be identical for two people of such extreme ages. Our trainers give a complete fitness assessment including the client’s nutritional intake or any medical issues they might have and they customize a specific routine just for them. We also have athletes who want to train for marathons or triathlons.” Prior to Fitness Together, MJ worked with trainers for 10 years and has a background in public relations. She says, “We have two training studios based in our current space. We do not have a lot of room in our suite, but since Mike owns the building we have some flexibility for future growth.” The cardio studio includes a bike, an elliptical machine and a treadmill. Down the hall, the private training studios have a variety of weights and all of the necessities for a full body workout.
MJ is very excited about their September 13 open house from 1-4 p.m. She says, “We are partnering with Plum Market to bring this event about. Our trainers will be on site to talk about our training programs and provide free BMI (body mass index) evaluations. There will be door prizes every half hour. The event is open to everyone.”
Michael adds, “We offer a professional certified nutritionist, at this location. Being a certified nutritionist is critical. You can meet with a nutritionist, there’s a nominal fee, and he’ll write a program especially for you. If your goal is body fat loss, he’ll write a program for that based on your physique, your training habits, your physicality, your conditions, whatever it might be. He’ll write a different program for someone who has diabetes as opposed to someone who doesn’t. It’s important to realize 85-90 percent of all results you get through training are based on nutrition. So you can train until you’re blue in the face, lift weights, run or whatever, but if you’re diet isn’t structured that you’re eating the right things in the right quantities in the right way. You’re not going to get results.”
Fitness Together
Michael Concannon
1785 W. Stadium Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI
Phone: 734-327-7900
Email: annarborwest@fitnesstogetherl.com
www.FitnessTogether.com