Earlier this week we introduced our next series of events, Project:
Momentum. Today, we’re pleased to announce that we’ll kick off our series with
Andrew Redlawsk’s Fit Club NYC.
Andrew has been with Momentum Rep from the beginning. He was
a member of the “Godspel“ cast, returned for “Assassins” and has been in some
concerts here and there. We’re proud of his success as he’s moved on to bigger
stages in NYC, but we’ll always think of him as a member of our offstage
community.
Recently, Andrew and I have been discussing fitness. He’s involved
as a coach with Beach Body, and he uses his expertise to help encourage friends
and clients- especially actors. He knew I was interested in making healthier
choices for myself. So when he approached me about Fit Club NYC, it was as a
fellow artist. But as he talked, I couldn’t help but think of a few parts of
our mission statement. (I’m the Artistic Director. That’s my job.)
*Foster the formation of a community in which aspiring
artists' professional, artistic, and social skills are developed and
encouraged.
A place where
artists can work out together and support each other sure sounds like fostering
a community and developing skills to me…
*Offer scholarships to promote the artistic education of members of the New
York City creative community.
We haven’t really
been able to pursue this the way we want to yet. We know we’ll grow into it
someday. But lending a little support to a free class is a good start.
And Andrew kept
talking about keeping the environment friendly and educational. That’s what
Momentum Rep is best known for.
A partnership was
born.
Since Project:
Momentum is brand new, and fitness may be a little outside the comfort zone for
some, I asked Andrew to answer a few questions. Facebook chat made it easy.
Mindy: We'll start
with the most basic. What is Fit Club NYC?
Andrew: Fit Club NYC is a collaboration between Team Reddy Fitness and Momentum Rep. It offers a fun, free opportunity for people
to come get a great workout and challenge themselves in a safe, friendly
environment. We know that gym memberships are expensive, and we know that some
people feel intimidated the second they walk into one. That's what we're trying
to eliminate with Fit Club NYC. No matter what your fitness level, just come
and have a blast with us!
M: That answers my
next question already, but maybe you can add. How is this different from just
going to a gym?
A: I tried going to the gym. I tried a handful of times.
Each time I told myself that THIS TIME I was serious. THIS TIME I was going to
commit to it. And just like a huge majority of people out there, I didn't stick
with it. Life gets in the way. Like I said, memberships are expensive, but
beyond that - there's the commuting time. Going to the gym and getting a solid
30-60 minute workout costs you an extra 30 minutes or more on either side. For
many of us with busy schedules, it's just hard to make that work.
So that's when I decided to start working out at home. Three years ago, I
grabbed a copy of P90X, a home workout program by Beachbody. I haven't looked
back. Since then I've done a handful of Beachbody workout programs, and my
results have been fantastic. The best part is the flexibility and the privacy.
I work out on MY time. In MY home. No insecurity. No stupid competition between
you and the guy or girl next to you. You fall over, you fall over. No one gives
a crap! It also doesn't hurt that I save so much money doing it this way.
That's what led me to start Fit Club NYC. I wanted to give others that same
opportunity I've had, to experience these AMAZING workouts that give you an
extremely viable alternative to sinking all your time and money into a gym.
M: So this group is
of course open to everyone, but it focuses on actors and other artists, right?
What makes this a good place for them?
A: We all have different goals. But in this industry- where
you have so, so little control over your own life – you need to grab those
areas that you CAN control by the horns and squeeze the ever-lovin’ life out of
em. One of those few things you can control is your health and your fitness. A
sick actor is not a working actor. A sick actor loses money, can't audition,
can't perform, and is worthless to a producer. Jason Scheff, lead singer of the band Chicago,
and my Beachbody Coach, told me this:
“Listen, in our industry you can’t just be great. You have
to work to give yourself every POSSIBLE advantage over the next person. You
need to be the total package. If you’re lacking in even ONE area – that’s
enough. It’s our job to work as hard as we can- perfecting every aspect of
ourselves, so that when that right moment comes, we’ll be ready.”
M: I hear you on the
sick actor thing. Took on too many projects last year, got pneumonia, was out
of commission for 6 weeks. Yes it was probably too much work for anyone, but
part of me wonders if I could have powered through that schedule better if I
had been in better shape.
A: We never learn till it happens to us. I was out of
commission for MONTHS because I treated my voice badly and ate terrible food.
That's what made me realize I needed a change. And hopefully other actors out
there will learn from my mistakes instead of making them for yourself!
M: Learning from
others' mistakes, eh? WHY DO WE REFUSE TO DO THAT?
A: hahaha that's a great, great question
M: I know it's
important for all artists to stay healthy, and this group is open to everyone.
But since it is in partnership with Momentum Rep, tell us. What's your history
with that group? (You know. For the folks at home.)
A: My story's a funny one that goes back to the summer of
2008 when a friend asked me to sing at his wedding in Ohio with his fiance’s
choir teacher. I obviously said yes, and that choir teacher just happened to be
Mindy Smith. There was a revelation of sorts when we both realized the other
was actually talented, as opposed to what we had been expecting. For some
reason Mindy asked me to be in Momentum's inaugural production - Godspell. And
for some reason I said yes, even though it meant flying to New York from
Chicago and missing the first two weeks of my senior year in college.
Fortunately, I'm the kind of person who loves doing crazy things every once and
a while, so I jumped on a plane, got picked up by a woman I didn't know, and
crashed on her couch for a few weeks. The rest is, as they say, history.
M: Wow, this Mindy person must
have given off an extremely trustworthy vibe. (Just a little self-aware
silliness there.) So one more question. What can people expect when they walk
into the first Fit Club?
A:
Y ou can expect to have fun, and you can expect to work hard! So bring good
sneakers, clothes you can move in, a water bottle, and maybe a towel. However,
I want to make it extremely clear that this is open to people of ALL FITNESS
LEVELS. I don't care if you've never done a jumping jack in your life. I want
you here. I want to share the things that changed MY life. The workouts we'll
be using are all from the Beachbody line of home-workout programs. P90X,
Insanity, TurboFire, RevAbs, Hip Hop Abs, and more. We'll be primarily sticking
to the cardio and ab routines, and maybe throwing some yoga in there as well.
But don't worry, I'm leaving the absolutely killer workouts at home. After the
workout, I'll also have some free goodies for you - but you'll have to come to
find out what they are!
M: Mmmmmm. Ice cream sundaes?
A:
haha yes. (not really)
M: Boo. I have a sweet tooth.
Think you can convince me to try something new?
A:
I never said it wouldn't taste good! But I've said too much.
M: Well. Now I'm curious. Curious
enough to show up on Friday and see what all the fuss is about. (insert giant
wink into camera here. Thumbs up!) Seriously, though. I'm really looking
forward to it. Thanks for sharing your passion with everyone- I hope to see
tons of faces new and old.
The
first Fit Club NYC meets this Friday, September 21 from 11 til 12:30. We’ll
meet at Ripley-Grier Studios, in Studio 16E. And did we mention it’s ANDREW’S
BIRTHDAY??? See you Friday.
