Gym based on true weight loss story

180 Degree Fitness owner John Manjarres knows a thing or two about losing weight, and keeping it off.

Fifteen years ago, John lost 80 pounds and turned his life around with healthy eating and exercise. He cultivated what he learned and launched his own fitness company, 180 Degree Fitness, with his brother. And as of November, he’s bringing that knowledge to Baldwin Park.

180 Degree Fitness, he said, offers clients one-on-one, personally tailored plans to help target all aspects of health, both physical and mental. It’s all about getting to the root of the problem, so that people can finally lose the extra pounds they’ve been packing.

“We have to know what they’re here for …. The deeper the reason the better,” John said. “It’s finding out what the reasons are and getting to the core.”

If someone’s reason for being there is to get healthy to run around with their grandkids, John said they’ll post pictures of the children’s smiling faces on the workout room walls for inspiration. If it’s to fit into their long white dress for their wedding day, they’ll tack up a picture of the dress and fiancé.

“I know the struggles and everything it entails losing weight,” John said. “It involves psychology and creating habits. It takes time.”

He and his fiancé, Eileen Diaz — who provides life coaching and training for 180 Degree Fitness clients — say the motivation behind losing weight is just as important as the process. New Year’s resolutions, they agree, can be effective as long as there’s solid motivation behind it.

Visit 180 Degree Fitness at its new location in Baldwin Park at 1595 Meeting Place. For more information, visit 180degreefitness.com

“When you hit rock bottom and you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, that’s when it’s the best,” John said.

And if you’re going to get fit, he said, Baldwin Park is a great place to do it. From the ample walking and jogging space around Lake Baldwin, to having a Publix within walking distance to provide meal-planning for clients, he said he has high hopes for growing his business and the health-conscious community in Baldwin Park.

Shortly before opening, the pair moved to Baldwin Park themselves, and say they’ve been impressed and motivated by the community’s active, outdoorsy lifestyle.

“It’s much more active here than typical Orlando, it’s pretty impressive,” John said. “It’s motivating to live and work somewhere like this.”