The Fitness Pursuit Helps With Weight Loss, Fitness Goals

Fitness. Endurance. Commitment. Strength. Those four words are the building blocks to success at .

"Anything is possible," said Matt Petersen, TFP owner and coach. "We offer group classes that allow each person to work at their own personal level."

An example is their boot camp format where people do 10 to 18 exercises for an hour.

"That burns up a lot of calories," Petersen said. He said most people burn 600 to 900 calories in the process.

They also offer personal training, cardio equipment to burn calories and cardio and weight circuits. He swears by the TRX suspension equipment that looks like straps hanging from the top of a tall, horizontal metal bar.

"These use your own body weight as resistance," Petersen said, showing how the exercises engage several muscles at once. "We can teach them to use their body to help them get more coordinated."

Starting January 2, there are 10-week programs that promise to shed 20 to 40 pounds for $175. It also requires a BodyBugg monitor at an additional cost to track calories expenditure and intake.

People at TFP literally write their goals on the Commitment Wall. Some say "I will lose 20 pounds" and others say, "I will run a 10-minute mile."

"This is really important," Petersen said. "It gives them a sense of belonging."

Petersen said he works with people who just want to lose a few pounds all the way up to triathletes. They offer running programs for those training for 5Ks to marathons.

TFP Coaches include Matt Petersen, Kelli Richter, Lauri Robinson, Kim Yessian and Delfino Parra.

For bicyclists, they use CompuTrainers where bikes are attached to a machine that provides detailed training information. During the winter months, people can rent a bike hook at TFP and leave their bike there to make it more convenient.

They have a vibration machine to improve flexibility. For swimming skills, clients swim in Gray's Lake in the warm months or inside at area health clubs during the winter.

Petersen has already competed in three Ironman triathlons this year. But he said he wasn't always this fit.

"In grade school, I was a big, fat kid," he said. Then he started playing sports and earned six varsity letters in high school sports. He got in better shape, but then got injured and had to have knee reconstruction and go through six months of rehab. In college, he started personal training and found that he loved it. He used to run corporate fitness programs and also worked at the Centre Club in Gurnee.

"I continued to do personal training and started a running club in 2002, and it hasn't stopped since," Petersen said.

He opened The Fitness Pursuit out of his home in 2003 and developed a large base of clients from several communities. In 2008, he opened his business at 1186 E. Washington, Grayslake. Petersen and his wife, Michelle, live in Third Lake with their 3-year-old daughter Madison. 

Currently, there are about 250 athletes per week who visit The Fitness Pursuit and about 50 clients who come in for personal training.

There are two massage therapists on staff to help work out the kinks. 

As people begin thinking their New Year's resolutions, which typically involve losing weight but also typically fade away by February, Petersen and his staff promise to keep people on track.

"We assess people and test them to see where they need to be working," he said. Clients range in age from 15 to 65. Prices range from $60 to $210 for classes or training sessions.

"People come here to pursue their goals," Petersen said. "It's a matter of just doing something."

He said he has found the work that he loves in helping others increase their fitness.

"I love seeing the transformation in people and their excitement when they reach their goals," he said. "Whether it's 10 pounds or 100 pounds, whether it is running a 5K or qualifying for the Boston Marathon, we can help get you there."

For more information, visit www.thefitnesspursuit.com or call 847-986-2727.