No Limits Fitness – A Place for Everyone

Apr 1, 2019 | 7:00 AM

I admit it, before last week I had never been in No Limits Fitness and I was nervous to enter a gym where everyone else would already belong, be in better physical shape than me and where I assumed judgement would abound.

I had my first inkling that this might not be the iron clanging, ‘roid raging, muscle strutting gym of my nightmares when a smiling gentleman in his 60’s held the door as we both entered, followed by a kindly couple who gently informed me that I had left my vehicle running in the spacious No Limits Fitness parking lot (I told you I was nervous).

By the time a smiling staff member greeted me from behind the counter and invited me to sit at the smoothie bar I had already begun to doubt my preconceived ideas, and once I had read the menu options (Chunky Money? After 8?! PB Mudslide??!!) I was actually starting to wonder if I was experiencing gym envy for the first time.

A few minutes later as I visited with co-owner Justin Grover I realized I wasn’t the only person who feels intimidated and makes assumptions before entering No Limits Fitness.

“It’s ok to come here and be you,” says Justin. “You don’t need to be a superstar, a fitness buff or a competitor. Whether you’re a soccer mom, a senior, a high school student or anything else, you are welcome here. We don’t care about your ability level; we care that you’re putting effort into being the best version of yourself and we want to help you do that.”

At the front door a mom enters with her two toddlers. She will work out or participate in a group fitness class with peace of mind while her children are cared for in the Kids Zone; for the second time in the last half hour I’m wondering why I’ve never joined a gym before.

I mention how the friendly staff member at the front helped me to feel less apprehensive and Justin immediately lights up. “Our employees are an extension of our family,” he beams “they are committed because they love it; they pitch in and go over and above for our community because they are dedicated to the culture we have built. I can count on them and our members can too.”

I was curious what that meant; was Justin referring to the community within the walls of No Limits Fitness, or the larger community of Kamloops?

It turns out he means both.

“Have you seen our new mascot?!” Justin enthusiastically replies, “Our baby goat, Florence, makes special appearances when we’re about to do fundraising for the SPCA, who we will be regularly supporting through things like the Weiner Dog Race. But there’s a lot more fun and community-minded stuff right around the corner for this company too. We have sponsored fundraisers like the RIH Foundation with the radiothon, supported the Child Development Centre, sponsored the Dr. Gur Singh Memorial Golf Tournament in support of the Kamloops Brain Injury Association – you’re going to see us pop up in a lot of places you wouldn’t normally expect to see a gym because that’s the culture we’re creating.”

And the community of No Limits Fitness itself?

Justin talks about his desire to help the person who is still sitting on their couch but wants more get past their fear.

“We’re in business for the positive transformations; for people who are ready for change but don’t know how to make it happen. That starts with community and accountability. Here at No Limits Fitness we come alongside people who want to change their life and make sure they feel welcomed when they walk through the door and that is why we staff the No Limits 24 hours a day. You don’t just enter with a FOB; you will be greeted by a human to make sure that everyone is taken care of.”

And the dedication to a family-like atmosphere that is positive and uplifting is why the members of No Limits Fitness keep coming back.

“15-20 per cent of our membership body has been here since the very beginning,” says Justin, “and we’re going into our 7th year. I think part of the reason people stay with us is because …this is a warm environment; judgement free and open to everyone. We want as many people to experience that as possible which is why we’re starting this new promo to ensure that it’s affordable for everyone.”

Starting April 1st No Limits is launching new pricing in order to ensure that their gym, expertise and community are accessible to as many people as possible. By reducing their adult pricing by almost 40% and making membership only $14 biweekly for anyone who walks through the door, No Limits Fitness is giving people the opportunity to take their next big step toward confidence, strength and belonging.

That member ship includes the gym, sauna and steam room as well as access to their fully fitted change rooms, not to mention that once you’re through the door the convenience of hot yoga, boot camps, tanning, etc are at your fingertips as well.

Founder and co-owner Darren Maywood has had a vision for a No Limits membership that is achievable for anyone since he opened the gym in 2013.

Growing up in Kamloops Darren saw the benefits of a strong, supportive and engaged community and wanted to build “the Cheers of fitness centres” on the North Shore of Kamloops so that he could give back to and investing in the community that has given him so much.

“It’s about so much more than physical health, “says Darren. “When you can affect people’s lives outside of fitness it’s huge. People often think that they aren’t ready or fit enough to come to No Limits, and it’s exactly the opposite! Don’t try to get to the best version of yourself first and then show up because you never will. We have people of every shape, age and size and that’s what we specialize in; helping people become their best. You just have to come through the doors as you are.”

As we toured the facility (squash courts, ladies only area, yoga sanctuary, the heavy equipment area that Darren describes as a “playground for adults”, etc.) Darren greets people by name, shakes hands on the fly and freely passes out hugs.

“Watching members support people who come through the door and pass on the encouragement, confidence, learning and benefits of the family environment at No Limits Fitness is rewarding, “ says Darren “and I’m excited that it will be available to so many more people as of April 1st.”

Like so many others before me, I discovered that the things that made me apprehensive about entering No Limits Fitness were not only untrue, but actually the opposite of what I had imagined.

No Limits Fitness is exactly where they want to be and they’re ready to bring you along too.

In addition to their new and continuing $14 biweekly membership, any local residents can take advantage of a 1 week free trial at No Limits Fitness beginning today.

To contact No Limits Fitness, call 778-470-5550 or vist their website at www.nolimitsfitness.ca.

–              Written by CFJC Today staff with files and information supplied by No Limits Fitness.