Popular fitness programs are a bit like cults: the charismatic figure at the center, the devoted followers, and the dramatic changes in behavior that result. Happily, the outcome in the fitness world is usually improved cardiovascular health and toned muscles, not lawsuits and police raids. Curious about the loyal following of Bond Fitness, where a co-worker and neighbor are both dedicated members, I decided to find out what inspired such allegiance.
Bond Fitness began as the Jenny Schatzle Program. The famously voluble Schatzle still looms large over the enterprise as a co-owner, but she changed the name of the business to take the focus off herself and to emphasize relationships. “Bond” refers to the connections she wants members to form with themselves, with each other, and with the many instructors.
The light-filled studio is well-stocked with equipment, but don’t plan on breezing in after work or on a weekend morning for a solo workout. The Bond philosophy is that working out in a group is the key to fitness success, so Bond offers only classes: specifically, 50 minutes of circuit training. Although the classes are high-intensity, Schatzle underscores that the Bond studio is a judgment-free zone, with workouts accessible for people of all ages and fitness levels.