Val Rogers

Koko Fitclub Fuels Life With Revolutionary Nutrition Program

March 29, 2013 by Val Rogers Leave a Comment

If you are one of the many that jump on the latest diet craze, then eventually give up, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Ninety percent of Americans who go on any diet plan end up gaining the weight back and more. It is a vicious cycle that brings nothing but frustration to individuals seeking to become healthy.

Thankfully, this is a problem that Koko FitClub has solved with its new, revolutionary nutrition program called Koko Fuel. It works because it is NOT a diet. Koko Fuel is made up of unique, fully customized meal plans developed by the country’s leading experts in health, fitness and nutrition. It is designed to provide Koko FitClub members a variety of simple, healthy meal plans complete with tasty recipes that can be customized and incorporated into a member’s specific fitness goals.

“The customization begins by calculating a member’s Koko Metabolic Rate, Koko FitClub’s proprietary measurement of the approximate number of calories an individual’s body burns in a 24 hour period. That, along with their fitness goal, determines the Koko Fuel plan that meets our member’s specific goals,” said Michael Wood, Koko FitClub’s Chief Fitness Officer.

What makes Koko FitClub’s approach to exercise and nutrition different than others is its level of integration and customization to the individual. Many gyms, fitness DVDs and weight-loss plans tout the importance of combining exercise and diet, but in reality what they offer is a “one size fits all” solution. Koko Fuel is tailored to each person’s metabolism and fitness goals.

Koko Fuel enhances the simplified, personalized and intelligent workout approach that members have come to love at Koko FitClub. It perfectly complements the strength and cardio sessions that members have become accustomed to as part of their personalized workout programs that they monitor online. Koko Fuel meal plans are integrated with members’ workout programs and personal mykokofitclub.com website making it easy for them to track their individual progress.

When Koko FitClub decided to create and incorporate a nutrition program to its Smartraining System, it assembled a team of renowned experts with diverse professional backgrounds to ensure that the concept stays true to Koko FitClub’s mission to simplify the way people get and stay healthy. Linda Boardman, whose experience as a senior-level executive at Whole Foods Market and president of Applegate Farms, brought a unique perspective to the development of Koko Fuel, which she believes is a major breakthrough in the world of health and fitness.

Koko Fuel is separated into three categories: Koko Fuel Focus, Koko Fuel School and Koko Boosters. These three categories allow members to choose which program best suits their needs and personal goals. “Our approach to nutrition is the same as our approach to fitness,” said Wood, “It’s all about Build, Burn and Protect. Koko Fuel is designed to support and enhance members’ workout plans so they can build and protect lean muscle, burn body fat and maintain their healthy lifestyle,” emphasized Wood.

Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in downtown Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.

Why Koko?

March 6, 2013 by Val Rogers Leave a Comment

It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since we first opened our doors in downtown Danville. I remember feeling anxious, nervous, excited, all at the same time. Is anybody going to walk through those doors on the first day? How do we explain what Koko is? How do we process the paperwork? Is anybody going to see the value in Koko like I did?

Looking back, it was a rough first few days, weeks and months. I remember our first member came knocking on the door the day before we opened. The doors were locked and I was there alone. I thought to myself, “Someone’s here!” I unlocked the door and let her in. She had received our postcard in the mail and was curious about what this new Koko place was all about. I clumsily showed her around and she loved it. She wanted to join and I was thrilled! Then I realized I had to process the sale with a brand new system that I knew very little about. Panic set in. I took a few deep breaths and slowly navigated myself through the system. What should have taken 10 minutes, took closer to 40 as my new member stood there patiently waiting for me to complete the transaction. But at the end of the day I had my first member, and we weren’t even open yet.

The coming days and weeks felt like a rollercoaster ride. There were days when no one came at all. Other days, people walked in and wanted to join without even an attempted explanation of what Koko was. People were skeptical. What is this place with a funny name? Why should I join? What does it cost? How does it work? Does it even work?

As the weeks and months went on, we became more confident with our message, our sales process and our belief in Koko. People who had never been able to stick to a traditional “gym” routine in the past found themselves coming back week after week, month after month and actually enjoying it. This was finally something they could do and be successful at.

So, why Koko? Why do our KokoNuts (an endearing term for our diehard members) love Koko? They love Koko because Koko makes exercise and now nutrition, simple. Koko is customized for them…based on their goals, their body and their ability. I smile to myself when I see one of our 80 year old members workout out next to one of our forty somethings and know that they are each getting exactly what they need.

With the addition of our newest service, Koko Fuel, I know that this is just the beginning. I believe in Koko more now than I did on that very first day we opened our doors. I know many ups and downs lie ahead, but I can say for certain that there is not another “gym” around as unique and special as Koko FitClub of Danville.

Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in downtown Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.

Throw Out That Bathroom Scale!

November 2, 2012 by Val Rogers Leave a Comment

Listen to what Michael Wood, Chief Fitness Officer at Koko FitClub, LLC has to say about bathroom scales:

One of the biggest obstacles many people face in reaching their fitness goals sits right in their very own home. It’s not the refrigerator. It’s their bathroom scale.

Too many people focus on what their bathroom scale says as their primary indicator of fitness progress or health. Well, it’s time to throw that bathroom scale out! Too often, people get wrongly fixated on a number on the scale. It can lead to unrealistic and even unsafe goals, not to mention, disappointment after disappointment.

Think of a bathroom scale like a speedometer. It can only tell you one number—your current speed. But speedometers can’t tell whether you’re under or over the speed limit. It can’t tell you where you are, where you should be, or where you are going. That’s exactly the same as a bathroom scale. It can only tell you one number: your weight. But weight is just one element of your health and fitness “dashboard.”

Now consider a GPS device. Not only can it tell you your speed, but it can give you directions, plan out your best route and help you safely reach your destination in the most efficient way possible.

That’s Koko FitCheck: a GPS for your body! It’s a vital part of how we precisely customize and optimize your personal Smartraining “route” to long-term health.

Koko FitCheck is not a scale. It is a precision body composition tool that calculates and tracks your body’s lean muscle level. Koko uses this data to automatically customize your program, calculate Q Score, provide personalized nutritional guidance and determine your Koko “eBMI” – our proprietary, “enhanced” body mass index calculation that is an important marker of progress and a far superior way to manage your health, nutrition and metabolism than weight alone.

FitCheck. Where your Koko Smartraining experience and program customization begins.

Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in down-town Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.

Turn Back the Clock to a More Youthful, Fit You

October 9, 2012 by Val Rogers Leave a Comment

Even in the “olden days” people wanted to stay young. In 1513, legend has it that Ponce de León landed in what is now Florida, searching for the fountain of youth. The Spaniard had no luck finding the restorative waters, but his name is forever associated with the quest for youth and longevity. In modern times we are seemingly all Ponce de Leóns- seekers of youth who spend crazy money on creams and plastic surgery and antioxidant packed beverages. We are looking in the wrong place.

One of the best ways to get a body that can hold out against the nastiest side effects of aging is not found in a jar or on a table. It’s being active and maintaining lean muscle tissue. Koko Smartraining will help you feel like you’ve turned back the clock by building and maintaining the muscle that slows down the effects of time on your body.

You might not want to hear it, but here are some cold, hard facts about your aging body:

If you aren’t doing something about it, your body loses a half a pound of lean muscle tissue every year after the age of 25. Your body is losing its most critical mass. Rapidly. This is bad. Lean muscle tissue is what keeps your metabolism high, burning lots of calories, keeping your weight under control and giving you strength and energy to go about your life.

The good news is that with strength training, you can turn back the clock. You can gain back what you’ve lost and rev up that sluggish metabolism. You can also build more lean muscle tissue than you’ve lost. A 60 year old man with the same muscle mass as an average 25 year-old, will have the metabolism of an average 25 year old. Isn’t that incredible? Three 30 minute trips on the Koko Smartrainer each week, consistently, is all it takes. All it takes to turn back the clock…

Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in downtown Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.

Mindful Exercise is Essential for Success

September 3, 2012 by Val Rogers Leave a Comment

Here are a few of the ways Koko encourages mindful exercise:

The Pace Bar- even I can’t explain exactly why, but the Koko pace bar is absolutely mesmerizing and we all try very hard to follow it. No more racing through reps. No more daydreaming. Following the pace bar results in optimal time under tension for your muscles, making the most out of every rep.
Koko Points– They are little rewards at the end of each Smartraining session or ways we compete with ourselves and others to stay motivated. Bottom line is, the more engaged you are in your workout, the more points you’ll earn. Maybe even 1000!
Smartraining Form Tips– Available for every exercise, every workout, with a reminder about how important the right form is to your results.
Michael Wood, CSCS– The awesome Boston baritone of our Chief Fitness Officer has coached Koko Nation through hundreds of thousands of hours of Koko Cardio workouts, and we can’t help but pay attention! (Even our Louisiana contingent has grown fond of his “Yankee” accent, haven’t you?) Shoulders back? Arms pumping? Abs in? Always positive, Michael keeps us thinking and encouraged.
No TVs– No need for the distraction. We are too busy following the pace bar and listening to Michael.
Variety– Every workout is different so you never go on fitness autopilot, repeating the same exercises over an over without a second thought.
FitCoaches– They make sure you feel welcome, supported, and well oriented. Most importantly, they are your BIGGEST cheerleaders!
Spa-like Atmosphere– There really is nothing worse that trying to exercise in a giant warehouse full of equipment, noise and REALLY LOUD MUSIC. And let’s not even talk about the smell. Koko FitClubs are intimate, attractive, quiet and clean. Perfect for mindfully reflecting on you and your workout.

All this is designed to help YOU get and STAY STRONG!

Cardio Vs Strength Training

August 5, 2012 by Val Rogers Leave a Comment

Is cardio better at burning calories than strength training? Not necessarily. Cardiovascular fitness is critical to your health and longevity, which is why we embrace Koko Cardio. But, a workout regimen that consists of only cardiovascular exercise is lopsided at best.

Circuit training strength regimens have the ability to burn nearly as many calories per workout, build strength and improve aerobic fitness by 7 to 15%. The calorie burning and aerobic improvements from this type of strength workout make it a fair trade-off for a straight cardio workout. However, over the long haul, the calorie burn from circuit strength training easily trumps cardio alone. Here’s why…

In circuit strength training you move through a “circuit” of resistance exercises, alternating muscle groups with little rest between, so your heart rate stays elevated. Sound familiar?

That’s because a Koko Smartraining workout IS circuit training! Besides providing a solid cardiovascular workout, Koko Smartraining develops lean muscle tissue. Lean muscle is a calorie burning machine. When you have a higher percentage of lean muscle in your body, your metabolic rate is higher. So, you burn more calories all the time, not just during exercise.

Speaking of calories burned during exercise, do you know that the Koko Smartrainer is the only strength equipment with the ability to track them? This comes in handy when you want to know how many you’ve expended each workout, but it can be deceptive for the reasons stated above. You may burn more calories during a straight cardio work out, but the 50 to 100 calorie difference will easily be bridged, then surpassed, as your metabolic rate increases through consistent Koko Smartraining.

So, next time you find yourself worried that you aren’t getting enough calorie burn from a Koko Smartraining strength session, remember that the most beneficial, long term calorie burn can’t be captured as a data point in the computer, but it makes all the difference in your health and appearance.

Koko makes it easy, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Just 3 Koko Smartraining strength sessions per week, plus 3 to 4 Koko Cardio 15-minute sessions is all you need for a balanced, calorie burning, training plan.

Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in downtown Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.

Remove the Roadblocks to Exercise

July 7, 2012 by Val Rogers Leave a Comment

At Koko, we know fitness must fit into your life. Eighty percent of adults will never spend an hour and a half a day working out at the gym, no matter how great the health benefits. You have other priorities more demanding of your time, energy and intellect. The developers of Koko Smartraining realized that unless the roadblocks to fitness were removed– which, besides time, includes confusion (“what the heck should I do?”) boredom and the health club “scene” – the majority of adults will never make exercise a habit for the long haul.

But, our health, happiness and longevity depend on it. So, Koko FitClub exists to be fitness you can live with forever. Created to be roadblock-free so exercise finally becomes a great habit for the long haul.

HOW DOES KOKO FITCLUB REMOVE THE ROADBLOCKS TO REGULAR EXERCISE?

Time: It’s precious and it feels like we never have enough. So, Koko designed the Koko Smartrainer, an incredibly effective strength training workout that takes 30 minutes. And, Koko Cardio gives you the aerobic benefits of a typical 30 minute cardio work out in just 15, using high intensity interval training. If you have time for both, you can be in and out of Koko FitClub in under an hour having completed a serious workout.

Confusion: Even for those of us who are pretty adept at finding our way around a gym, confusion about the best use of our exercise time can stop us in our tracks. No one wants to wander around aimlessly wondering what to do next. (Didn’t we just determine we don’t have time for that?) A personal trainer can solve this problem, but the good ones are expensive. Each Koko Smartraining program is designed by Koko Chief Fitness Officer Michael Wood, CSCS, a world-class personal trainer and exercise physiologist. Koko Smartraining Technology customizes the programs to your specific needs and ability. Koko Cardio programs are guided by Wood, who ensures that you work out at an intensity level that will provide maximum aerobic benefit.

Boredom: No one wants to feel like a hamster on the treadmill. Nor can we stomach the same strength routine over and over. *YAWN* It’s boring, and worse, its ineffective. Koko programs are interactive and engaging and – go figure – different every time! You are also rewarded with positive feedback that updates you on your progress. It is hard to be bored when there is so much to keep you motivated!

The Gym Scene: It’s just overwhelming for most of us. The over-socializing. The sweat marks on the machines. Tons of exercise equipment you can’t decipher that, frankly, looks like medieval torture devices. The smell of … ok, let’s not go there! There is so much NOT to like about gyms, it’s a wonder people use them at all. In contrast, Koko FitClub has been described (by an especially eloquent member) as a “fitness oasis.” A welcoming, clean, spa-like space that smells good. Everyone is fully focused on their workouts, not each other, and you have your own (non-sweaty) machine to use for the entire workout.

The simple truth is the exercise regimen you can make a habit of for the long haul is the most effective exercise regimen for you. By figuring out the things that prevent you from making fitness a habit and removing them from the picture, Koko FitClub will help you be successful at getting fit and healthy.

Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in downtown Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.

ALIVE & Fit: Do You Koko?

June 10, 2012 by Val Rogers Leave a Comment

New technologies continually make our daily lives easier. Need a recommendation for a great Italian restaurant? Go to Yelp. Afraid of getting lost? Turn on your GPS. Like that song? Download it on your iPhone. Technology makes us more efficient, keeps us on track, and removes life’s daily obstacles that get in our way.

Technology though has had little impact on our lives when it comes to getting in shape. For many of us, it’s still a boring, time-consuming struggle.

Until now.

Koko FitClub, the “world’s first automated personal training studio,” is using state-of-the-art technology to make exercise simple, efficient and personal. Its patented SmartrainingTM system takes the best of exercise science and designs a completely customized training plan that guides you through each step. These smart, high-efficiency cardio and weight training workouts can be completed in 30 minutes or less.

“It’s like having your own personal trainer without having to have a personal trainer,” said Michael Lannon, CEO and co-founder of Koko. “Everything you do at Koko is precisely customized for you. We do all the planning and thinking so you don’t have to. This means no more falling into ruts, no more wasting time figuring out what to do, and no more disappointing results trying to follow a program that’s not the right fit for you.”

With locations nationwide in nearly 30 states and thousands of men and women across the country as members since first opening in 2009, Koko is literally becoming a nationwide movement.

“Thanks to our technology, Koko is delivering a whole new, more efficient way to exercise than the world has ever had before,” said Lannon.

You just show up, pop in your personal “Koko Key” and you’re guided through a personalized, custom workout regimen based on your individual strength and fitness level. And Koko automatically adapts each day to the progress you’ve made so your body and your mind stay continually engaged.

“Koko is for people who are done with the whole gym scene. We have jobs and families, and don’t have the time or desire to spend hours at gyms that don’t work for us anymore” said Lannon. We also don’t want to pay for a personal trainer, but we could really benefit from the right level of guidance, motivation and accountability. On our terms and our schedule. That’s where Koko fits in perfectly.”

Technology is the future for many things in our life, and Koko is surely the future of fitness. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy your comprehensive custom workout and get back to your life. You can be confident you’re making the most of your time because Koko’s cutting edge technology has already figured out your most efficient workout. And Koko not only saves you time, but money. For the cost of one single personal training session, a membership at Koko FitClub gives you unlimited sessions each month. Getting in shape has never been easier. Just go to Koko.

Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in downtown Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.