Their program is open to youth that want to lose weight and get in shape. It features scheduled workout times and a meeting with a nutritionist once a week.
The gym currently sponsors more than 15 teens, and trains eight of them regularly three times a week. The program runs for three months, the teens meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the gym for two-hour workout sessions.
Teens participating in the program who are unable to come in at the scheduled time can workout anytime 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Saturdays.
But working out isn't the only part of the program.
The teens exercise with trainers from the gym, and every Wednesday a nutritionist comes to help educate them on healthy eating habits.
"Kids are not the ones usually buying the food," Bull said. "She gives them tips on what they can do to eat healthier."
The nutritionist talks about the differences in power foods and junk foods, and different kinds of food that people can eat to enhance their diets.
"You can eat McDonalds, just not everyday," Bull said. "There's a cut-off period."
A little help
Wednesday, nutrition day, is the favorite day of the week for many of the youth because they get free pizza from nearby Tutta Bella's Neapolitan pizzeria, one of the programs sponsors.
"Tutta Bella's is good, every Wednesday they feed us," said Bull. "We're really thankful to them."
This is the first year the Stewart's organized the weight-nutrition program around Columbia City Fitness.
"This is our third year doing it, but it's our first year training them ourselves," Bull said.
"It was our first really successful year," added Flozzell.
She noted that they had tried a program like this one in the past but without help from a nutritionist or sponsors. Most of the sponsors are other Columbia City businesses.
"This year the program is organized so that youth that are not able to afford to workout and who want to can find sponsorship," Flozzell said.
Bull, president of the Columbia City Business Association, said that many Columbia City businesses will sponsor one or several teens.
It takes commitment
Not showing up isn't an option for teens in the program; they have to commit to come for all the workout sessions.
"We've cut kids before who didn't show up for workouts," said Bull.
Many participating teens do show up every session, and say they enjoy the program immensely. For Brianna Ross, it's all about being healthy and coming to the gym everyday. Ross, a Garfield High School sophomore, said she heard about the program from her great-grandmother.
Four generations of her family have worked out at the gym, her great-grandmother works out there everyday. Ross said she knew Bull Stewart and wanted to get in shape, so she got involved in the program.
Her goals were to slim down and be healthier overall.
"My energy level is very high now," Ross said. "I just wake up every morning and want to go to the gym."
Ross said she's felt herself get stronger, as she pushes 180 pounds on the leg press. She started out pushing 90 pounds.
"I've gained a lot of muscle," "I love coming to the gym and competing," said Ross, the only girl in the program who asserted she enjoys the competition of working out with the guys.
"Its fun and motivating and you feel good everyday," Ross said.
Bull noted that Ross was the "pride and joy" of the gym.
However, others aren't as excited about working out, but do it anyway.
"It's good, if you want to lose weight come to Bull's," Isaiah Cole said. "It's also a good way to get your anger out, and keep of the streets."
Cole, a Rainier Beach sophomore, said his goals were to lose weight and build muscle and gain endurance.
"I didn't like it on some days, but I knew I had to get through it," said Cole. "Wednesday is my favorite day because we get pizza."
Cole said that six of the kids in the workout program are his neighbors.
Conrad Larsen, another Columbia City resident became a part of the gym when he walked in. Larsen, a Western Washington sophomore, has been working for the last two months as a fitness trainer at the gym.
Home on summer vacation, Larsen said he lived down the street and needed a job.
"Conrad is the type of guy you want to hire," Bull said. "The first time he came in here I was already showing him around, and showing him how to do stuff."
Larsen had played competitive soccer before, and is currently training in dead lifting. He has to go back to Western in the fall but plans on coming back to work during Christmas break and maybe even next summer.
"I really enjoy working with them because they're just very happy to be there and I think they really enjoy working out too," Larsen said.
The last official day of the program was this past week, and the teens completed a weigh-in and took pictures to see how much they've improved. They were supposed to have before and after pictures, but since this is the first time, Larsen said they forgot to take the before pictures.
The teens will then send a picture along with a letter to their sponsor thanking them and telling them how they've changed and what they've accomplished.
"We feel honored and blessed to have these kids," Bull said. "Hopefully it'll change their lives."
Bull and Flozzell advertised the program through word of mouth and by passing out flyers at several high schools. They hope to expand the program further next year.
"We just love what we do. It'll be worth it in the end," Bull said. "Show a kid love, show them you care, and their life will change."
Michelle Shakira Ericksen may be reached via editor@sdistrictjournal.com.[[In-content Ad]]