By Brianna Susnak
Snap Fitness of Westfield, 220 W. 161st St., kicked off the summer season under the new ownership of Westfield resident and personal trainer Doug Biggs.
After graduating with a master’s degree in exercise science from Ball State in 2001, Biggs began working with cardiac patients at Ball Memorial Hospital. It was there where he helped start the state’s first oncology rehab program, which focused on the treatment of heart cancer patients.
While working in the rehab program, Biggs witnessed firsthand the impact of exercise on his patients and decided to return to his passion of personal training.
“Being in a gym setting, I could shift to prevention rather than treatment,” he said. “I’m trying to keep people out of the hospital and off of cholesterol medication.”
However, Biggs said Snap Fitness isn’t your typical gym setting.
“Compared to other gyms, Snap is smaller and more intimate,” he said. “It’s for people who want to come, get a good workout, and go home. They can come before work, after work, or during their lunch hour.”
By offering 24/7 access to members, Biggs hopes that he can help people of all ages find a way to fit exercise into their busy schedules.
“Being healthy and fit is a lifestyle,” said Biggs. “I like the Biggest Loser, but it gives people a false sense of what weight loss is about. It doesn’t happen rapidly. You must buy into it.”
Snap Fitness offers flexible membership options – single and family memberships are available and can be pre-paid upon registration or on a monthly basis.
Once inside the newly-renovated, 3200 square foot facility, members can choose to work out alone, with a personal trainer, or with a group class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Despite the variety of options available at Snap Fitness, Biggs’ mission as an owner and personal trainer is simple.
“Exercise must be done daily,” he said. “You cannot reach your goals and then just stop. It’s about a lifestyle modification.”
Snap Fitness is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They may be reached at 867-7627.
