warren hull
September 14, 2018 18:36
Get comfortable- this is going to be a long review! I don't "write reviews," but my experience at Camp Rhino has been so unique that I can't NOT write one...
I had an experience a few months back that forced me to look pretty hard at where I was in regards to my physical wellness. Prior to this experience, I was never- and I mean NEVER- into "the gym scene." I'd poked around a few different gyms over the last few years, but never committed to- or cared about- any stupid gym.
After stumbling across a stupid Facebook ad, I decided to participate in Camp Rhino's 6-Week Transformation Challenge. I met with the owner and was immediately impressed with her honesty and her overall sharp mind and multi-faceted healthy approach to wellness. Had my first contact at Camp Rhino been with ANYone else in the gym, I would have been skeptical enough to walk away. I loved the structure of the 6-week challenge- respecting that I had to pony up and put some "skin in the game;" and loved that the owner is open about her own journey toward increased and sustainable wellness. After a couple of days of mulling it over, I opted to pull the trigger and participate in the 6-Week Transformation Challenge.
I tried to hate it. I tried to hate the gym and the people and everything about it, telling myself that it was "just like every other gym" I'd looked into. I tried to convince myself that it would be full of conceited meatheads and competitive crossfit monsters... but they weren't having it! I kid you not the first day I went to my large group class (boot camp), the coach walked over to me and introduced himself, calling me by name. "Hi, you must be Warren. Welcome!" He then proceeded to absolutely kick my butt and put my poor, out-of-shape body through the ringer. I know that this incident alone doesn't make this gym all that special, but this IS an example of how the staff operates; and this welcoming, supportive approach is genuinely embedded in the culture.
My small-class coach was phenomenal- delicately and professionally balancing pushing the small lot of her students to the limits and knowing when to pull back and modify our exercises as needed.
My schedule for the six-week challenge was chaotic, and I was out of town for one third of the program. I was humbled that the owner was willing to make time to meet with me (not yet even a "formal" paying member) to work out the details necessary to provide me with a fighting chance to meet my fitness goals. Again, in and of itself, this experience doesn't make this gym "the best in the world," but taken in context and looking at the big picture, Camp Rhino's true colors were emerging.
This is a gym where every employee I've interacted with is invested in the wellness of the members. I have not met a single employee at Camp Rhino who doesn't have my interests and my wellness in mind. I was fortunate enough to accomplish my fitness goal, and was shocked to find myself feeling sad that my time at Camp Rhino was coming to an end. Me? Miss a gym? What witchcraft had Camp Rhino cast on me?! One of the coaches challenged me to find a way to make Camp Rhino financially viable (gym memberships are expensive!) After another month of weighing my options and considering my family's financial situation, a situation presented itself and I jumped on it- committing to a full year's membership.
I've heard from multiple Camp Rhino members that "this gym is unlike any other I've attended." Hearing it from one person, or maybe two, is easily written off. However, hearing it time and time again- from the owner to multiple employees to various members- and experiencing the familial, supportive culture for myself lend me to believe that Camp Rhino truly is a unique gym with a unique culture.
I'm done looking at other gyms.
I've found the perfect one!