Seven month pregnant, Lisa Corsello, Founder of Burn

Lisa Corsello, Founder of BURN gym at 1043 Valencia Street, agrees that the Mission District is vibrant enough to satisfy the excitement-seeker’s taste for diverse cuisine and artistic flamboyance; giving this City its spice and leaving very little to be desired. Nevertheless, July 6th she decided to give the people something new and opened BURN--a dynamic style of group fitness. “Now there is somewhere for people on this side of town to get a good work out”, explains Lisa.

BURN, no doubt named after the sensation one feels in every muscle during the fast paced, 55 minute group fitness classes, is motivating the novice to get started and inspiring the fitness enthusiast to recommit to their goals. Proving its influence, Amie Fishman states, “BURN is good enough to get me out of bed before the sun comes up.”

Drawing from her expertise as a Personal Training, Pilates, Yoga and Group Fitness Instructor; Lisa Corsello designed an unprecedented approach to an age old practice. Based in the scientifically proven principles of active recovery (a method of exercising that enhances metabolism while decreasing muscle soreness) the BURN exercise system is a balance between functional strength training, cardio vascular drills and Pilates exercises.
 

Rhythmically lifting moderately weighted dumbbells to upbeat music-- cleverly mixed to stimulate the body--moving into a series of perfect plyometric squats on command, immediately followed by concentrated Pilate movements. A simple description of the first five (post warm-up) minutes of this heart pumping workout.

“I try to keep a dynamic active approach to fitness”, says the petite and very pregnant Corsello. “I keep a consistent movement approach. Instead of sitting down resting after each set of repetitions, I get them [the members] moving on cardio and on the Pilates spring board--mixing old school and new fitness concepts”. Emily, a Publishing Assistant and BURN member raves about the class. “I receive the best personal attention than I have in any class. Lisa always offers modifications when you need them”.

Cardio exercises increase heart rate and endurance

Creating a vigorous and safe exercise programs takes skill, however, the pressing question is whether the BURN exercise system delivers results of optimal fitness—an increase in muscle mass, cardio vascular and core strength and loss in body fat. “We offer all members nutrition counseling, fitness assessments and body mass index (BMI) testing.” While it is too early to assess the long term results; members who have attended the gym regularly have already reported weight loss, an improvement in core strength and overall fitness levels. "I feel much stronger and I've already lost five pounds." Boast Gina Limon, a nurse, and BURN member.

Neither long term results nor can overall satisfaction in member experience be determined until the gym has been around for a few years. Customer service, staff professionalism and the ability to motivate members to commit to their fitness goals is imperative to retaining current membership and recruiting new members. In Club Industry Fitness Business Pro, Ramping up Retention, Fischbach writes, “Fitness facility employees need to work together as a team to minimize attrition and maximize retention. All the staff members — from the front-desk employees to the cleaning crew to the top-level managers — need to engage the member at different levels.” If Lisa’s process to recruiting, training and managing her staff is any reflection of what the future holds, than quality of service and fitness product will, indeed, crush the competition. Lisa explains, “…customer experience is really important to me, along with meeting the member’s fitness needs”.

Lisa’s strategic plan for hiring superior staff is in full swing. “I am looking for professionals who have fitness certifications-Pilates, Yoga and Personal Training--experience with a proven ability to modify exercises for all levels and have a passion for fitness.” All of the instructors hired to work at BURN will go through extensive training, regardless of their back grounds. Jennifer, who after years of experience as a Physical Therapist and Pilate Instructor is excited to complete her training with Lisa and begin teaching classes at BURN. “We offer this class to prenatal members and people with injuries, so it is important”, Lisa stresses, “that what is being taught is exactly what I am promising my members. “

For more information about BURN, visit www.burnsf.com or call 415.829.3331 or visit them 1043 Valencia St (between 21st and 22nd) San Francisco, CA .