I've always found the idea of a Ripple Effect much more appealing than the Trickle Down Effect. Maybe it's just the word associations. But I have experienced the Ripple Effect and know it exists. What is it? Throw a pebble into a still pond, and watch the ripples spread outward. Stand there long enough, and you will see them spread out across the entire pond.

The same thing happens in a community. Our actions and decisions affect our family circle, then our circle of friends. They affect our neighborhood, our community, and often keep circling out much further than we realize. When Steve Shapiro and Debora Valis decided to open a fitness club a few years ago, they did not realize how many people their decision would impact. Now, with over 2,400 members, the Island Athletic club is a fixture of the Freeland community, extending an influence for increased physical activity up and down the Island. Steve is a “no nonsense” type of guy with a full schedule. We spoke in the busy foyer of the Club, where members waved cheerfully at Steve as they came and went.

I began our conversation by asking Steve what had made him decide to open a fitness club.

Steve: I wanted a place to play racquetball. We were also hoping to develop a business that would make use of my training as a physician, and Debora’s background as a physical therapist.

Elaine: How long ago was that?

Steve: We will start our tenth year in January.

Elaine: That's a while! Have you noticed any changing trends during that time?

Steve: We have more people new to the island, and membership is slightly older than before. Group exercise, which used to be limited to step aerobics, has changed. Looking at the leader, and mirroring their moves is a struggle for many men -- it's something I could never do myself! Now we have several different types of group exercise, like BodyPump, BodyFlow, Pilates, and a simplified form of Tai Chi, so the benefits of group exercises are available to people who just couldn't do them before.

Elaine: When do you find time to work out?

Steve: I usually work out during the middle of a day, when the Club is open and people are around. I enjoy competitive sports, but a knee injury I received in a high school football game really changed my life. I've had to give up running and racquet sports so my workouts at the Club are really precious to me.

Elaine: How would you define “fitness?”

Steve: There are five components of a fitness program: Cardiorespiratory Training, Strength Training, Proper Nutrition (which may include vitamins), Flexibility and, extremely important, Support.

Elaine: What do you mean by Support?

Steve: Support can mean having a workout buddy, or taking a class. It can come from a professional personal trainer, or someone you know who offers constructive support. It is not available on the internet!

Elaine: Speaking of support, your club has become a community gathering place where people “meet and greet.” Is that a component of overall health?

Steve: The Fitness Industry is not just about health care and physical conditioning. It includes entertainment and hospitality. In my experience as a physician, and now as a club owner, I have found it strikingly obvious that social interaction is an important component of fitness.

Elaine: What is the most gratifying part of your job?

Steve: Just yesterday a woman walked in and said, “I had it done.” She was talking about her total knee replacement. When I had a knee replacement Club members were really supportive during my rehab. Now I can share in her success. That kind of interaction means a lot.

When I see people in walkers come in to use the pool, or grown adults learning how to swim, I know that what we're offering has a major impact on people’s lives. It's also very gratifying to see staff members grow, personally and professionally.

Elaine: I know you've been very active in this community. The old-fashioned phrase “A Pillar of the Community” is not used much now, but I think it would fit. Will you tell us about some of the community projects you've been involved with?

Steve: One of the first things I got involved with was saving the Classic U forest with a group called Save the Trees. Debora and I were honored by the Giraffe Project for that work. The forest is now part of the State Park. Club members and staff still do maintenance work on the trail we helped blaze over 25 years ago.

I've also been involved with the Freeland Sub Area Planning Committee, South Whidbey Schools Foundation, The South Whidbey Children’s Center, the South Whidbey Commons, and I'm currently on the board of Whidbey in Motion (WHIM.) I'm involved with WHIM because obesity and lack of adequate physical activity are health problems of crisis proportion in this country. Whatever contribution I can make to getting this community more “in motion” is something I want to do.

Elaine: So, what is the most important thing people should know about physical activity?

Steve: Regular exercise is the single most effective contribution a person can make towards their own health. Whatever your current level of condition, whatever physical limitations you may have, there is some level of exercise which is beneficial.

Whatever people are doing on their own, I applaud; and, whatever they are doing, they could add more.

Although that original “pebble” Steve tossed may have been the wish for a racquetball court, both the vision and the reality have grown since then. When it comes to fitness and physical activity, that pebble turned out to have a wide and growing influence around this little pond we call home.

To visit the Island Athletic Club, you are invited to drop by in person, or visit: www.islandathleticclub.com

Article by Elaine Woods of Whidbey Walks. WHIM is a coalition of volunteer community members whose mission is “to improve the health of our communities by increasing physical activity for all.” For more information e-mail Karen Grossman, Island County Physical Activity Coalition Coordinator, at kareng@co.island.wa.us or call the Island County Health Department (360)679-7351 or (360)321-5111 ext. 7266, or log-on to their website at www.whidbeyinmotion.org.