Mobile fitness brings the gym to the home

Bell has specialized her business to meet the needs of busy women - women who have a lot of responsibilities, but still need to squeeze in time to take care of their physical health.

"I chose to focus on women because in our busy lifestyles we have a tendency to give so much to our families and our careers that we neglect ourselves," Bell said.

Bell's passion for the fitness and nutrition business came about from the problems she saw in her own family. "Since my early (age) 20s, I've been concerned about the health issues in my own family of high blood pressure, heart problems, and cancer," she said.

And that has motivated on a nine-year educational path in achieving certification in personal training, an Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist certification through the American Council on Fitness (ACE), and she is also in the midst of achieving an Associate of Science degree in Fitness and Wellness.

Her clients range in age from middle age to the 70s, she said. But regardless of age, no two clients are alike. Each requires a personalized, yet adjustable fitness program.

"We design their program together based on their goals, the time they can dedicate, and their budget," Bell said.

Harjehausen appreciates Bell's dedication and expertise. "She is amazing," Harjehausen said, adding that their first consultation was free and lasted over an hour as Bell helped her analyze her goals, and set up a schedule.

"I told her I didn't want to lose weight but wanted to get toned and improve my cardio," Harjehausen said. The two women meet once a week. And that one meeting has motivated her to work out on her own and, "it has made me accountable," she said.

When Bell travels to a client's home she comes with free weights, resistant strength tubes, Pilates bands, and stability ball. But what really matters is the knowledge of fitness and nutrition that she shares with others.

"The certification (Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist through ACE) allows me to train special populations," Bell said, "such as individuals who have diabetes, post rehabilitation myocardial infraction, obesity, osteoporosis, metabolic diseases, hypertension, arthritis, and other ailments."

But the big advantage for her clients? "I once worked as a personal trainer in a gym," she said. "Clients come in, train and leave. Some don't come back. The commitment level is much higher with my program."

To learn more about Fitness 2 Go 4 Women, call Shelly Bell at (909) 647-5362, and visit www.fit2go4women.com.