This month’s member of the month lives up to the phrase, “So What’s Your Excuse?” This woman literally came to the gym and kept up her fitness until her last month of pregnancy! I’m so proud of what Crystal has achieved prior to her pregnancy, and just the phenomenal shape she maintained during her entire pregnancy. Crystal comes to the gym with her positive and HILARIOUS attitude, and always puts a smile on everyone’s face. We’re lucky to have her at the gym!
Hey Crystal, so congrats on being this month’s member of the month. Tell us some quick facts about yourself:
I’m 29 years old and I just had my first baby. She’s 4.5 months old and her name is Arianna.
So now you’re no longer annoyed when people tell you their kids’ ages in weeks right? Haha not at all.. clearly I just did it too!
How did you hear about KEEN? And what made you try it out?
I moved to La Crescenta and was looking for a local gym. On Instagram, I saw Keen Fitness was opening and I signed up in Ankeen’s garage actually. I was here on the first day it opened.. and fell in love and haven’t stopped coming since.
What was your level of activity or fitness prior to joining?
I would do reformer pilates 4x a week. This is different: it’s a good mix of cardio, strength training… it’s a fun environment and getting in shape is a plus. A lot of my friends come here too so it’s an opportunity to see them and get fit together.
You literally came to the gym up until giving birth to your first baby.. How did that feel? Was it challenging to motivate yourself to come?
I came until I was 8 months pregnant and yes towards the end I had to really give it my all to come. But seeing that it was keeping me in a healthy pregnancy weight range, and that it was giving me more energy that kept me motivated. I honestly think my strength training and fitness level led me to have a more positive and easier labor, and definitely faster post-partum recovery. All those damn squats!
Do you feel like your experience at KEEN, or just being fit will affect how you parent your kids?
Oh definitely.. I think even making it a priority for me and my spouse to make time for each other to work out is important because then your kids can see you valuing that, and they learn to understand the importance of being fit and healthy. That’s how I was raised and it totally attributed to me valuing my health and level of activity as an adult.
What’s one of your favorite workouts?
Oh Boy! I like when Ankeen does circuits… oh my god, I love Abs.. I always make Ankeen do abs for me.
Something we don’t know about you:
I’m a clinical pharmacist (aka legal drug dealer) at a Kaiser anti-coagulation clinic.
So that makes your really smart right?
I wouldn’t say really smart.. Just have a lot of training, education and a sh*t ton of student loans to pay off haha!
You have a quirky side to you don’t you… tell us a bit about that:
I’m always trying to make fun out of any situation, and be positive. I’m a bit of a goof ball… and even if I have to embarrass myself, I feel it’s worth it if it makes someone else feel better.
Has your experiences at KEEN affected your life outside of the gym, and if so how?
My husband and I both motivate each other to work out, and I feel like now it’s something we both have in common. It’s definitely contributed to the confidence and morale in the marriage, because we’re both on the same page on fitness. It’s fun to do active things together and actually enjoy it as well!
What’s your least favorite activity at the gym?
Bear complex… I just hate the process of it. I feel like it’s such a long exercise …
Are you too ADD for that? Haha yes.
What advice do you give people thinking about trying out a KEEN class?
Whether you’ve never worked out, or you have experience working out.. Or even if you’re post-baby seriously just try it. It may feel tough initially, but just stick it through and in the long-term you’re going to feel healthier. Also specifically for women who are pregnant now, I definitely want to stress the fact that working out and being fit contributed to a healthy labor and delivery for me, and my recovery was so much quicker and easier!
What’s your jam right now?
I love listening to Hip Hop twerking music. That’s what keeps me going.
Is that what you listen to at the Kaiser anti-coagulation clinic when you’re filling drugs for patients? Ya when I’m not with a patient, you can find me twerking in the corner with headphones on.. Haha jk!
Fav Restaurant: I love Bestia … I recommend getting the Barrata pizza for sure!
818.588.5184 
