Culver City Observer -

By Sandra Coopersmith

Features Writer

If your exercise program consists of dragging your feet, sidestepping responsibility and pushing your luck, Culver City’s House of Fitness (“HOF”) at 4130 Sepulveda Blvd., Suite E can be a real life-changer.

Call (310) 773-9484, email info@houseoffitnessla.com or visit http://www.houseoffitnessla.com to jumpstart your transformation.

Adam Nisenson, its marketing director, started out as a client about a year and a half ago.

“At that time I was pretty close to 200 pounds and a 36 inch waist,” he said. “HOF offered a unique training program. I had never really worked out with a group, much less a trainer, and I started to get in shape. Of course, diet is an important part of that and Michael DeGood, the director of training, worked with me on that too. The HOF team became my personal health team and inspired and supported me every day. A year later I had lost 30 pounds and two inches in my waist, and I feel great.”

That, plus an extensive marketing background, sports focus included, led to Nisenson’s current role with HOF, and he was pleased to advise that on Thursday, September 10 from 6 pm to 9 HOF will celebrate two years of transforming lives.

Although the celebration is by invitation only, he encourages those interested in what HOF has to offer to come by for a visit to get on the list, or, “if you know a member, they can invite you and RSVP for you.

“The celebration will have door prizes not only from the health club but also from other local merchants,” he said. “There will be food, music and drinks and we will be proudly showing off our new spin bikes, which are a major investment to the club and the community. I believe we now have the newest and most state-of-the-art spin equipment. Our spin classes are an important part of our menu of services, providing an amazing way for our members to get extreme cardio into their workouts.”

"Everything we do involves coaching,” said Thomas Plejer, HOF’s founder. “We know that people that work out with a coach are far more successful than those that do not. We specialize in functional and resistance training, offering affordable membership options with flexible appointment scheduling. Our environment is fresh, cool, and fun."

HOF’s coaches sport substantial skills.

A voracious reader of fitness books, director of training Michael DeGood, who has been in the fitness industry for over 10 years and believes “exercise is the best gift you can give yourself,” is a certified personal trainer, certified strength and conditioning coach, nutrition specialist and martial artist. He offers a Functional Movement Screen to prescribe the right workout: “If it’s size you want I can help you; if it’s leaning out and toning you want, I can help you.”

Spin instructor and client service representative Lizzie Leeds taught spin at Loyola Marymount University, emphasizing different cadence building, resistance levels and alternating energy zones. She attended the World Spinning and Sports Conference three years in a row, participating in workshops and seminars led by international master instructors. Her goal is “to motivate, inspire and challenge you with a fun, energetic class that will certainly make you work hard.”

A gifted athlete on the football field, certified personal trainer Shaun Grant suffered an injury causing him to segue into a fitness career utilizing 15 years of workout knowledge and expertise. He believes in “putting others first.” His specialties: group fitness, sport-specific speed and conditioning, and rehabilitation. A premier group instructor, he has worked with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, David Hasselhoff, Stacy Keibler, Jesse McCartney and Elise Neal.

Experience in multiple sports, the physicality of serving as a Marine in Iraq and his “strong desire to help others to be their best self” transitioned certified personal trainer Nicholas (“Nick”) Vierra into a fitness career. He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has worked as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, specializing in suspension training like the TRX, high intensity interval training, strength training and circuit training. His diverse clients range from welterweight world champion boxer Victor Ortiz, whom he trained to run his first marathon in three hours and 18 minutes, to elderly patients and those with physical challenges.

Certified personal trainer Mike Pfeiffer’s background includes semi-professional break-dancing. He has five years in the fitness industry, with abundant current certifications: exercise science specialist, functional trainer specialist, MMA CSCS, fascia stretch therapist, TRX suspension coach, TRX Rip Trainer coach, kettle bell certified, K-Taping pro certified, trigger point certified, Olympic lifting/power lifting certified, and Fit Moves (group) metabolic circuit certified. He believes “safety in fitness is imperative; therefore, the need for proper technique and guidance is crucial.”

A former professional basketball player from Greece, certified personal trainer and spin instructor Effie Eleft is certified in corrective exercise by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She received certification as a health coach from the School of Integrative Nutrition and emphasizes healthy eating habits: “You cannot truly be fit without the proper nutrition fueling your active lifestyle.”

Maria Burgos and John Tellem are just two of HOF’s many success stories.

Clothes that weren’t “fitting right” spurred Burgos into coming to HOF after not working out for three and a half years. Seven months brought her visible weight loss and increased endurance, strength and energy levels, thanks to consistently working out two to three times a week, spinning once or twice a week, and following a sensible diet.

“Laziness was no longer an option,” she said. Asked how her life has changed, her answer was simple but significant: “I’m happier.”

Tellem “really wanted to get serious about health and exercise. I felt that this was a good time in my life to overhaul my diet as well.” He combined personal training sessions with five to six hours a week of cardiovascular activity and a major diet change, losing more than 30 pounds in three and a half months, and “would encourage members and non-members to take full advantage of the guidance, expertise and positive reinforcement the trainers and staff offer.”

HOF’s mission: “Be the best part of our members’ day. Every day!” And with great surroundings, excellent amenities, professional trainers who truly care and happy, motivated clients, HOF can confidently state, as it starts its third year in Culver City, “Mission accomplished.”