The Body Shop

Choosing Fitness as a Way of Life

By Maggie Caldwell

Certified personal trainer and fitness instructor Sunita Bancroft of Soquel’s The Body Shop believes in choosing fitness as a way of life, not in fad diets or trendy exercise programs. “Especially in the New Year, people tend toward the fastest fix-it workout possible,” she observes. “People tend to get a lot of fitness trend-based injuries. In reality, 30 – 60 minutes, 3-6 days a week gets better results than fast, unreasonable workouts.” “Less is more, that’s my thing,” she said.

Sunita believes that right now is the best time to fit in healthy living. “If you’re going to change your life, do it immediately. We have to start living in the moment, address our goals and priorities now. Start by taking a walk or drinking a glass of water.”

She knows people have a tendency to become obsessed with losing weight as fast as they can, or getting fit as fast as they can. “You have to make it a priority and make a commitment,” she said. “You have to do the work, to find time for fitness. You trip, you get back up. Practice moderation, in all aspects of your life. Back off a little and try to focus on your priorities. Hopefully fitness is one of them.”

Clients often go to Sunita to balance or complement their other exercise plans. “You can go to other gyms for basic fitness – people come here for accountability,” said Sunita. Class sizes at The Body Shop are controlled so as to offer individualized attention. “We all have different ages, lifestyles, and fitness needs. What I do is personal training in a class setting. You’ll get the workout you need; it’s just so much more fun in a class setting. I get you to the level of intensity your body demands, and accommodate your individuality.”

Sunita’s interest in and empathy for her clients has resulted in a nurturing studio atmosphere. “We’re definitely a family here. We have relationships with all our clients and know them on a first-name basis. There is a wide range of professions among the clients here, and everyone, whether a model or a teacher or a CEO, knows we respect and honor their privacy. No one gets special treatment.”

Sunita and her other training staff at The Body Shop offer private workouts, small group workouts, and an express 30-minute workout. “A 30-minute workout is just as effective as a longer one, as long as it’s targeted,” she explains. Clients choose from the combination that best meet their schedule and fitness goals.

Sunita wants people to stop comparing themselves to online or print images of “beautiful people.” “We are all beautiful. It’s time to stop comparing ourselves to images that may or may not be real. What is your personal best? Acknowledge your own personal beauty and achievements; that’s success.”

She also reminds us to be grateful for our health. “So many people have illnesses and physical inabilities that keep them from working out. We should be so grateful to be able to be physical, to make the choice to better ourselves. So many people want that but can’t.”

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The Body Shop Fitness Studio is located at 4641 Soquel Drive at Porter. Visit their website at www.thebodyshopfitnessstudio.com for a schedule and to find them on Facebook. Call her at 475-2800 to schedule your initial training session or email sunita@thebodyshopfitnessstudio.com.

Skin Care Karma Microspa is located in The Body Shop complex. For results-oriented skin care, call Karen at 831-334-2266 to schedule a facial or other service, or visit her website at www.skincarekarma.com for more information.