Member of the Month: Kim DeRosa

Two words used to describe Sweat Fixx as a whole are grit and community – our December member of the month truly exemplifies both of these. Kim is the definition of gritty. Not only has she come back as strong as before her injury, she’s come back stronger. On top of that, Kim is the first to ask you how your weekend was and to check in with clients and instructors alike – her commitment to Sweat Fixx goes so far beyond her own fitness.

Kim has been a part of the Arlington fixxfam since we opened our doors! We are so lucky to have her as part of the crew and so excited for her to be our member of the month!

How did you first hear about Sweat Fixx?

I moved to Arlington in 2016 after being in Brookline/Boston for the previous 13 years and had been missing group classes having moved to the suburbs. I saw an ad or posting on Facebook about the new studio opening and went to a free class (led by Elise!) the first weekend and was hooked ever since.

What keeps you coming back?

The instructors are sneaky tough on you and the other members are sneaky (or not so sneaky) competitive in class. I find myself surprised by how quickly classes go by even when I’m dead tired. I used to prefer working out on my own but found the instructors and members pushed me further in my workouts which is what I was missing in a traditional gym. Everyone elevates each other to reach new fitness levels and is so supportive no matter what level you’re on or how heavy your weights are.

What’s one thing that you look forward to every time you come to a class?

Sweat Fixx is a total escape from everything else going on. I know I’ll walk out with a butt kicking and a few laughs with the other members and nothing else heavy on my mind. Pre-pandemic I was taking the 530am classes and I felt like the hardest part of my day was already over before the work day started and it made the rest of the day feel like a breeze. Now I can escape the tiresome work from home lifestyle that’s currently going on. I’m able to shut off the rest of the world and just enjoy the time in the studio.

What motivates you to be stronger?

The healthy competition motivates me to get stronger in class. Seeing other people level up in weights or being seconds off of the rower next to you just makes you want to beat that time and the person across the studio. You’re not going to catch everyone every time but when you do it feels great. When I broke my ankle last December I was out for at least 8 weeks, getting back into the studio was one of the best things to get me back on my feet. I was able to see where I was compared to everyone else and set my goals to get back to certain weights, meters, etc.

When you aren’t crushing it on the rower or mat, where can we find you?

With the lack of sporting events and concerts happening these days you’re more than likely finding me spending most of my time working in video production. I’m the Senior Post Producer at ELEMENT productions and I manage the post production department with our work mostly based in advertising and anything video related. On the more fun side, my fiancé and I are both big fans of Texas (in general and the music/football scene) and usually travel there every other year. We had to cancel two trips there last year due to injury and then COVID. If I had to guess, that will be one of our first places to go once things get better on this whole pandemic front – right after our honeymoon (fingers crossed!).

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Diet Coke. Really Is it a guilty pleasure if you don’t feel guilty about it, though? 😉

What are you most proud of accomplishing since you first came to Sweat Fixx?

The return to Sweat Fixx after breaking my ankle was at first daunting but I’m pretty proud of it. After being inactive through all of December and January, I had only just gotten back on the rower at the end of February/early March then the world shut down. I was pretty upset to have to go back into isolation and then also feel inactive again. Thanks to Sweat Fixx and their LIVE classes, I stayed moving and in shape. When the studio (safely!) re-opened I got back on that rower and hoped for the best. I was stunned to see my times weren’t that far off from where I had left them. I’m still working to get back to those PRs again but for now I’m happy to be in the pack again and staying competitive with everyone in the studio.

One tip that you would give to someone who is coming to Sweat Fixx for the first time?

Don’t be intimidated. We all started where you are right now. Not sure who anyone is, unsure of the format, the rower, or appropriate weights but with the help of everyone you’ll figure it out quickly. Give the different class types a try and find which class and instructor works for you.

Anything else you’d like to add?

The last year has sucked. I broke my ankle and had to postpone our wedding, but through it all Sweat Fixx really was a bright light in a dismal 2020. Everyone has been so supportive in and out of the studio and to echo Elise it really is a community, and that’s what it has above every other fitness studio.