Want to burn off extra weight before spring break? Want all the guys on the beach to think, “Damn, she got hot!” as you strut by (margarita in hand, obviously)? Is the gym too crowded or intimidating? Want to work out with friends and two professional trainers for just $60 a month? If all of these questions apply to you then the answer to your prayers is GS Fitness. The fitness program, short for Group Sorority Fitness, was started by Garsy Altidor and Sean Goldfinger, two brothers of FSU’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Both trainers are highly qualified — “I’ve trained for two years at a variety of gyms,” said Goldfinger. “This gave me the motivation to want to help girls the best that I can. I have seen the best and worst of school and corporate gyms, so I try and take the good from both of them and incorporate that into our group classes.”
Fitness is also a force of motivation for Altidor — “Fitness has played a key role in my life, and with the experience I’ve gained having trained with a variety of strength and conditioning coaches, body builders, and training athletes myself, I’ve decided to help others improve their lifestyles for the better.”
“The classes are intense,” says Altidor, “They take hard work and incorporate a multitude of exercises.”
No class is exactly the same and the hour-long workout consists of stretching, sprinting, core exercises, yoga, a ton of legwork, and a nutrition and diet plan.
“I heard about GS Fitness through one of my sorority sisters and figured I would try it, and I fell in love with it my first day,” said Gabi Iturralde, who had been going to classes for about a month. For Iturralde, it was the energy and motivation of the trainers that pushed her to give it her all in every workout. “I always look forward to going to the sessions and feel great afterwards.”
“Our favorite part is seeing the results that these women get,” explained Altidor. “It is a special feeling to receive a call or text saying how much better these girls feel and look.”
Altidor and Goldfinger constantly remind the girls how important fitness is for your body and your life, and to give it 100% effort every time.
“We constantly tell them why they are doing the class, explain in detail the workout and what is working,” said Altidor. “Some corny jokes are pretty common to get a quick laugh from them as well as constant talking and helping. Over time they learn to motivate themselves because it becomes more than just a workout, it becomes fun. Their whole mentality changes and that’s what drives us.”
Altidor and Goldfinger hope to expand GS Fitness throughout the entire FSU population and have girls from every organization on campus involved with the program to help change their lives for the better.
Wondering what all the fuss is about? Check out the preview to the new promo video about the GS Fitness’ Spring Break Challenge: