Member Spotlight – Bill Mattes

Member Spotlight Questions

What brought you to the ADAC?

My feet, literally and figuratively.  Prior to joining, I had walked half a dozen marathons or so, and as I got older the recovery and injuries kept getting worse.  At a local charity auction I was the successful bidder for a 3 month membership with 12 personal training sessions with Jimmy.  After the core training Jimmy put me through, I completed my next marathon without any issues, my recovery time was less, and I renewed the membership.

What is your favorite thing to do at the club?

Drink Coffee with Cinnamon and read the WSJ after my workout.

What is your normal workout routine for a week?

Now that the Stairway to Hell is done, I usually try to lift twice a week focusing on arms, chest and shoulders.  I still do the Stairway routine once a week in a never ending battle to get my time down to where Aaron actually believes I did it in under 30 minutes.  I have several different “20 minute workouts” that usually take a bit longer but I can squeeze them in when pressed for time.  During marathon training I also walk 4 times a week on a graduated scale to prep for marathons 16 to 18 weeks out and focus more  on core exercises the other days.

What fitness goals or milestones have you achieved here at the gym or elsewhere?

I actually completed a fitCamp without dying.  But I am most proud of completing the Stairway to Hell Challenge in under 30 Minutes (28:42 to be exact Aaron) after an initial time of 46:39 I never thought I would get it. Having the gym right across the street allows me to also meet my goal of at least 30 minutes a day 5 days a week.

What are you eating? Nothing I am typing…

What’s your guilty pleasure? Pretzels and bread in any way shape or form.

What cause do you champion?

As a family we raise funds for LLS having lost a nephew to Leukemia and a niece and nephew to a similar rare blood disorder.  We also work to raise funds for Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, after my youngest daughter lost her best friend to the rare blood disorder. I also served as a board member and Past President of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation which serves to promote, protect and educate Columbus on its historic structures.   The “Arch” across the street from the gym was the starting point for that organization.

Do you have a pet?

We lost Maggie, our golden retriever, last year. Youngest daughter is actively looking for another golden to rescue.

What hobbies do you have?

Besides going to gym, reading, walking marathons, watching or listening to sports.

How would you make the world a better place?

I think if the Eagles were to win the Super Bowl and the Blue Jackets won the Stanley Cup in the same lifetime (mine) the world would be a better place.  But seriously, the one thing that can change any individual and thus the world is Education.  If we truly reformed education and educated all equally the world we live in would be a better place.

List your favorite (feel free to elaborate if you like)

Favorite author?-

Richard Bach—Illusions is his best book

Favorite actor/actress?

Stallone-that no talent hack made South Philly Proud

Favorite musical artist?

CSNY collectively and individually

Favorite song?

Let it Be-saw Sir Paul do it live all by himself on a piano and I will never forget it.

The Arena District Athletic Club is more than just a gym, it’s a premier fitness facility located in the heart of the Arena District in downtown Columbus. We provide convenience and quality, featuring top-of-the-line equipment, top-notch personal trainers, spa-like locker rooms and a wide variety of free group fitness classes daily including Cardio, Spinning, Barre Fusion, Yoga, Boot Camp and more. We offer free 2-hour parking and convenient contract-free memberships, to fit your healthy lifestyle needs. Don’t just join, belong