One of the hardest thing we've had to do as business owners is turn the sign to closed and turn off all of our gym access cards through no fault of our own. We were in tears as we closed our doors last Tuesday and have been in tears almost daily since then due to the gratitude and gifts of our clients and friends. We don't know for sure how long we will have to be closed but we are doing our best to bring things to you during this time. 
We have had our online classes up and running for awhile but we are having some technical difficulties recently with our sound, so stay tuned we will bring new videos to U soon! In the meantime we are writing workouts for U to do-these are basic workouts with some notes. We want to know how else we can help U?! We have had some people ask for Live workouts....and while we are considering it, we do prefer the playback option so U can do them whenever U want.  (comment below and let us know what U need/want)
We know first hand how hard it is being at home and not being on the move. I'm personally a mover-I function better and more proficiently when I have a million things to do, so this is a huge learning lesson for me. Here's what I've learned thus far:
1. Make a list of what U have to do today....literally do not let yourself go to bed until it's all done. It's so easy to sit on the couch, but how will U feel when U go to bed? Will U be disappointed that U did nothing or will U feel satisfied and accomplished by what U have achieved that day?
2. It's time to stop sulking and take some accountability for your actions (or lack there of)! If we sit on the couch all day, have afternoon cocktails and eat whatever we want...how are we going to feel in a month? We must love ourselves enough to take care of ourselves and take care of those around us. Just because we are stuck at home doesn't mean that we can't exercise, eat well and drink lots of water. It's the little things that add up and make a difference.
3. Have a routine. We all know that when we have a routine we function better. Part of that is because we aren't forced to waste our decision making process on what we are going to do. (Have you heard me give the speech we only get a certain number of decisions a day?!). 
4. It's time to do the things we've been wanting to do for months or years! Redo bedrooms, paint the basement, write, finish a certification, put your kids photos in an album etc., etc! Now is the time to do the things we've been putting off. Let's use this time....don't waste it! 
5. Be kind to yourself!!! Love yourself!!! Release the judgement of others and of U! 
Stay tuned for updates on classes etc and feel free to send us messages 
Be Healthy and Happy
​Ashley

The Holidays are here! A time when we make memories, eat, spend time with those who mean the most to us and eat some more. This year instead of having a group workout challenge we are changing things up a bit. We are having a challenge for anyone and everyone and EVERYONE has the potential to win something! Here's the details:
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We chose to have the word wellness associated with Evolve U from the beginning because we always knew we would be more than just classes. Our goal is and always will be to educate, empower and motivate people to be the best version of themselves. So how do we plan to do that? Well it's not about us, it's actually about U! It's about how U can live healthier and better, we are just here to help U along the way. 
Wellness sums up our values and beliefs. The definition of the word is: "the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal." How  perfect is that? If we pursue our goal of being healthy on a daily basis then we ARE creating wellness.   It is up to us to just try to live the best we can each day- eat the best we can, be active and  make healthy & positive decisions. Wellness is simply the best decisions and versions of U each day. The good decisions we make on a daily basis add up and create a state of wellbeing, not just physically, but mentally as well. 
When we strive to be our best versions on a daily basis, when we start to make healthy choices and move more, we naturally just start to feel and look better. That's where Evolve U comes into play. While the eating is up to U(although we are here to offer advice),  we are here to make the moving more each day part easier and more fun! 
If U have never worked out in a group setting, U are missing out on more than U know. Lots of people get nervous coming into a class. They say "people will be watching me," "I don't know what I'm doing" or "I don't like the mirrors." While those are all valid concerns, I can tell U that in our classes everyone is there watching US, they are there working on themselves and people are there to encourage each other. We all "mess up" in class (even the instructors); people start taking classes because U have an instructor doing it with U and the instructor takes the guesswork out of what to do....and the mirrors? Well they are there for form and so U can see us better. 
We love having full classes at Evolve U because the energy is contagious, we crank the music for extra motivation and there's just something about the feeling of a bunch of people finishing a great workout that is just indescribable. 
We want U to live well on a daily basis, to eat well, to move more and to be mentally healthy. We hope that U feel healthy and strong and if not we are here to help get U started-walking in the doors is the hardest part, but we are there for you every step of the way! 

We are starting our 3rd Small Group Challenge on Monday July 30th!!
U meet once a week with your trainer for a 30 minute workout and the rest of your challenge is done on your own. Each week you will be rowing, biking or walking to earn points (the type of cardio changes each week). U earn points for how many miles/meters U complete throughout the week. 
The cardio can be done inside the gym or outside and the cost is $120, plus the cost of a gym membership ($24 per month, discount for classes & gym). The women who have competed in this challenge have not only had amazing physical results, but have also created a genuine camaraderie within their teams, stepped outside of their comfort zone with some of the extra challenges we have given them and found what it takes to create behavior change.   That's what the purpose of this challenge is: behavior change! Creating new habits-which creates new opportunities and new lifestyles. 
If you would like to be a part of this 12 week challenge fill out the form below! Space is limited!! 
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It's getting to be that time of year again where everybody is scrambling to figure out what gifts to get for family and friends. If you're scratching your head wondering what that fitness lover in your life would like this year, we've got you covered. Follow this gift guide to be sure to please any gym junkie in your life.

​The holidays are a trying time for anyone on a fitness journey...you want to reach your goals, but you also want to dig into those Christmas cookies that everyone keeps bringing you. What if we told you there's a way to have both? Don't be afraid of a few extra calories here or there. Instead, use this as energy to fuel a great workout. With classes, programs and seminars, the ladies at Evolve U will help ensure that you stay on track not only through this holiday season, but far into the New Year. We also offer deals for those home or visiting over the holiday break! 

Students: 
1 Week of Classes: $10
1 Month of Classes: $30
1 Week of Gym Access: $10
1 Month of Gym Access: $30

Friends/Family 
1 Week of Classes or Gym Access: $18

​For more information on classes or gym access, you can contact us here. 

If the fitness lover in your life already has a membership with us, we still have plenty of gift ideas for you! Did you know that Evolve U offers a line of clothing? With items such as headbands, hats and long sleeve tees, your athlete can stay both warm and stylish this winter season! 

Without the obstacle of cables, wireless headphones set you free to walk, run, or lift weights comfortably. Connect them to Bluetooth, place them in your ears and begin...without having to worry about any wires getting in the way of your workout!

We recommend:

•  APEKX Mini True Wireless Bluetooth V4.2 Stereo Surround Sound In-Ear Sports Headphones

• SoundPEATS Bluetooth Headphones In Ear Wireless Earbuds 4.1 Magnetic Sweatproof Stereo Bluetooth Earphones 

Help the athlete in your life switch up how they move and keep track of their accomplishments with a Fitness Tracker. These handy little devices take the guess work out of your gym routines. With the capability to set goals and record your activity, this gift is guaranteed to spark motivation in anyone! 

We recommend: 

• Garmin Vivofit 3 Activity Tracker

• Letscom Activity Tracker

• Garmin Vívoactive Black​

Amazon Gift Card : the gift that never disappoints. Let the fitness lover in your life pick a gift they're guaranteed to love with an Amazon Gift Card. The good news about this option: there's so much to choose from. The bad news: there's so much to choose from. Let us help you pick out some great products that we stand by and love. You can find our favorite selections on Evolve U's Amazon Wishlist. 

The gift of health has a lasting impact.  Help your loved ones with the first step in the right direction by giving the gift of  an Evolve U gift card. The team at Evolve U wants to help everyone that walks through the doors of their gym become the best version of themselves. They'll believe in you when you're about to give up, they'll inspire you to give it your all, they'll give you the mindset to succeed....but most of all, they'll change your life forever. 

Don't forget about U! Register for a class now and get a head start on your New Years Resolution! 

Yes U read the title right! Exercise and fitness is about more than just losing weight. In fact we think it's safe to say that most people choose to start working out because they genuinely just want to look and feel better. So that means....... it's not always about the number on the scale!! And even if U are starting a program to lose weight be cognizant of the fact that sometimes the number may not change for awhile or even at all (that's for another blog!).
It's okay to exercise just to maintain, to get a little stronger or just to stay healthy. U don't always have to be working out to lose weight! There are endless benefits of working out that have nothing to do with the scale!

To live longer,
To improve your mental happiness & health,
To be able to play with your grandchildren,
To be able to walk up the stairs without stopping,
So you can pick up things from the floor without being in pain,
To prevent further muscle and joint problems,
To reduce your chances of disease and illness,
So U can carry in six grocery bags instead of three ;-),
TO LIVE LONGER!!!
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While we host weight loss challenges and programs a few times a year, we always stress that U have to learn to be healthy first and the weight will eventually come off. U have to learn how to eat and to live in a way that suits your mind and your body, and in a way that is suitable for your lifestyle. That means finding a healthy method of eating that gives your body the nutrition it needs and that is maintainable for U! 
Aside from the eating aspect of being healthy there is obviously the fitness side of it.  In our world today the options are endless when it comes to being active.  Pick an activity that appeals to you, people that are encouraging to U and most importantly just start moving. Don't worry about what U look like when you're working out, don't think you have to be fit to start working out, just start moving. Don't worry about anyone else because it’s your body, your mind and your journey! U have to do this for U! 
​Here's the beautiful thing about group fitness.....we are all at different fitness levels, we are all at different points in our lives, yet we are all in one room working off of each other's energy and moving around to create stronger, healthier selves TOGETHER!!
Group fitness classes are structured to be fun! Almost every class now has science behind the workout and U are being led by an educated, motivating instructor so U don't actually have to even think about what to do! U just show up and workout! There's no guessing about what to do. No planning out your workout, U just choose what class U want to attend (We can recommend what classes to start with, just ask).
Now what happens if we don't workout? What happens if we stay sedentary and don't eat healthy? Well our bodies naturally just start to decline. We all start naturally loosing muscle around the age of 30 if we don't take steps to maintain it, so it's imperative (especially women) to make sure U are incorporating strength and/or body weight training into your exercise regimen. If U want to read more info about sarcopenia (the natural decline in muscle) check this out! 
So don't let life drag you down, don't let your age define what U are doing. Start moving, start exercising and start living!!! 
We have a saying around here...our goal is to be STRONGER EVERYDAY!

​Ashley & Erin

COMMENT AND TELL US WHY U WORKOUT!!! ​

                                                               8 WEEK MORNING BOOTCAMP
 We get lots of questions when we launch our bootcamps. So we thought we would answer all your questions in one place.

WHEN: Every Tuesday & Thursday 9-9:45am
                   Starts Tuesday September 26th and runs until November 16th
COST: $150 for non-members $95 for members (16 sessions)
HOW MANY PEOPLE: Limited to first 20 that pay OR make a $50 downpayment. We allow payment plans as long as it's paid in full by the last day, and we accept cash, check or credit/debit cards.
WHAT DO WE DO: Our bootcamps are higher intensity workouts designed to challenge your mind and body. We typically use every piece of equipment in our facility over the course of the bootcamp. Treadmills, rowers, ropes, bikes, dumbbells, barbells, steps and lots of bodyweight exercises.
WHO CAN SIGNUP: We recommend our bootcamps to people who have had some experience working out at some point in their life. Bootcamps are a great way to jumpstart your weightloss, find your motivation again, get through a plateau or simply experience a new level of fitness.   We typically do not recommend not starting out with a bootcamp  if you have injuries or are severely overweight. 

                                                       ARE U READY FOR A CHALLENGE?!
                                                                                                  Fill out the form below or stop in the gym! 
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We often have requests for more early morning classes (especially as the days grow longer and the weather warmer), and as our classes begin to fill up more and more it became evident we needed to not only add more classes but bring on a new instructor as well! Help us welcome Sarah Meres to our team! 

​Sarah Meres recently finished her group fitness instructor certification with AFAA but her interests and knowledge of fitness stems back to 2010 when she began working at a small gym in her hometown.  Being a part of people's positive progress towards a healthy lifestyle was very fulfulling.  She studied athletic training at the University of Delaware and continued to Wilmington University where she finished her Bachelor's of Science in Marketing. Sarah proudly serves in the Army National Guard where she has been recognized for outstanding physical training and leadership.  She wishes to pass on her high motivation and excitement of fitness to those she teaches! 

Sarah will begin teaching two classes. Wednesday morning 6am will be a cardio and core circuit and Friday 6:00 am will be a Full Body Circuit class. With the addition of her two classes we now will be offering 6:00 am workouts Monday-Friday every week!! We are so excited to have Sarah on our team and we look forward to U all meeting  her and being able to share her passion of fitness. 
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If U haven't begun your fitness journey yet U can get started for as low as $43 per month. ​