Why YOU should choose Refinery for your fitness goals!

GET TONED | GAIN MUSCLE | LOOK FIT

Refinery has the biggest selection of free weights and resistance machines of any club in town!  Want to do something that will benefit your heart, improve your balance, strengthen your bones, and help you lose weight as it makes you look and feel better? Strength training does all of that and more. It benefits people of all ages and is the best thing to make your body look fit!

LOSE WEIGHT | LOOK BETTER

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. You don't need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. Refinery makes it simple to stick to an exercise routine by providing a great environment, classes, and the most convenient hours!

TO LIVE LONGER | FEEL GREAT

James Fielder, Member Since 2005

I have been a member of the Refinery for several years, and truly enjoyed it.  However, it wasn’t until 2011 that I truly embraced and took advantage of the benefits of working out here.  At the beginning of 2011 I found out that I had diabetes.  I almost found out the hard way, in that my sugar level had reached almost 700 (normal sugar level is 70-130).  Needless to say, I was close to going into a diabetic coma.  This was a life changing moment for me.  Now, those of you who know me usually have seen me in an occasional spin class, having a good time and sweating it out.  I’ve done that for years, but, I was still weighing about 245 pounds at that time, and enjoying pasta’s and burgers and all kinds of foods that had an adverse effect on my body.

After I found out that I had diabetes, my initial reaction was fear, until the doctor told me that it was type 2 diabetes.  I read everything I could about the disease and found out that it was reversible.  In order to beat this, I had to make some drastic changes in diet and exercise.  I discussed this with one of the counselors at the refinery, and we then discussed changes.  Strength training was suggested.  I chose to work out with Danny Iniguez.  I had read his bio, and found out that he had struggled with weight himself.  Immediately, he studied my disease, and encouraged me throughout the three months that I worked out with him. He gave me some tips on what to eat and what not to eat.  At the beginning of every session, he would ask me the dreaded, how had I been eating.  That accountability helped to change bad habit, and consequently immediately started losing weight, as well as inches, and I started seeing my sugar levels drop. 

Working out with Danny gave me the confidence to try different classes, like body pump and RIPPED.  I continue to hit my spin classes, but I must say that adding the strength training has really helped me to tone up, and my sugar level has not been over 140 in the past 7 months.  I got on the scale this morning and weighed in at 217.  I would like to personally thank all of the instructors for their tips here and there, and all of the participants in the group classes, its truly amazing how we all keep each other encouraged, and motivated to keep coming back.  I haven’t reached my final goal, but, I am on my way.  Thank you refinery!!!

Rochelle Gutiérrez, Mamber since 2005

Having grown up in California and taught several forms of aerobics classes throughout college and grad school, I have pretty high standards in terms of what a gym should offer.  When I moved to Champaign, I was convinced I would have to give that up.  I had just had my third child and wanted to get back in shape when I heard about a new gym that was opening.  Refinery impressed me from that first day.  I have at my fingertips cutting edge classes like Body Pump, Body Combat and am stimulated by special whole gym challenges that push my workout to the next level.  My work schedule doesn't always allow me to take the same classes every week, so I like the large range of classes that begin very early in the morning up until late in the evening. 

I have belonged to many gyms, yet I have never seen one so attuned to its clients.  On a regular basis, I and other members suggest changes that get incorporated fairly quickly--be they slight adjustments in when or how often a class is offered or the latest in Latino rhythms like Zumba! 

One of the hardest things for me as a professional and mother of three children is to manage our schedules so everyone's needs are taken care of.  The Refinery has been amazing in that arena.  Whether it is learning to weave cloth potholders, playing a board game, or taking a "kid fit" class while I'm working out, I know my children are in good hands.  My kids actually ask me to go to the gym.  When this happens, everyone comes away happy:  I get in shape and my kids have fun.

People at my office think that I must get some kind of commission for always talking so highly of the Refinery and inviting people to come work out with me.  But, in honesty, I just like to spread the good word.  I am so grateful to have such a first class gym that rivals the best I've seen in California. 

Jon Rector, Member since 2007

Working out at Refinery has been life-changing for me.  In November of 2008 I made the decision to run in the Illinois Half-Marathon in April of 2009. My two older sons said that they would run it with me.   I have worked out some over the years, but had never considered running and had never run a race at any distance.  I started my training by running on the treadmills and utilizing the elliptical and bikes for cross training.  My weekly “big” runs started at one mile early in the training and progressed to 10 miles.

The equipment is great and the staff is always attentive to my needs and friendly.  Last year I ran two half marathons, and various 10k’s, 5ks, and trail runs.  I am now “hooked” on running and Refinery facility offers me the chance to train indoors.  Thanks for running such a great place and thanks for helping me to be the person I am.