Samantha Donovan, who hails from Australia ("I did fitness in Australia and then got recertified when I got here in 1997.") and is the co-owner of Down Under Sports & Fitness along with Stephen Pradon, tells Zeke about their all-purpose gym and fitness center located in the VF Outlets. "It is a fully equipped gym with the all the latest, greatest modalities available," Samantha tells Zeke. Donovan's philosophy is that the right kind of workouts will have people seeing results and coming back for more. "We grow business per the feedback we get from everybody,"
Donovan shares with Zeke. “Our membership includes our group fitness classes." Her special interest lies in understanding nutritional physiology as it relates to what people eat and how they feel and perform. Donovan's goal is to help others incorporate exercise and nutritional balance into their lifestyle so they feel, function and perform optimally. "Nutrition is important," Samantha tells Zeke. "Research shows that low fat is not the issue for obesity. Look at the labels on things you eat. You'll be surprised how much sugar is in our processed food. Be aware not to sabotage the hard work you are putting into your fitness routine. Be conscious of what's coming up. If you know you are going to put on five pounds, you must take off five pounds."
Donovan tells Zeke that Down Under Sports & Fitness has two new classes: Roll with It offers 12 to 18 different exercises with the class format/exercises changing week to week. "Sounds interesting, doesn't it?" Samantha remarks. Inferno is a fast-paced, station-to-station, circuit-based workout program that includes battle ropes, medicine balls, kettlebells, jump ropes, kickboxing bags, slam balls, plyo boxes, spin bikes and dumbbells. "Sounds mean, doesn't it?" Donovan shares with Zeke, "but we try to tailor the class to your level of fitness." Also, Down Under Fitness is running an in-house obstacle course competition once a month that combines running, climbing, lifting, crawling, dragging, jumping, holding and rolling. "We have someone who tries to mimic particular obstacles and train for them indoors," Samantha tells Zeke.
