Parkpoint Healdsburg

20 Years of Parkpoint Fitness Wisdom: Lessons That Actually Last

by Liz Fagan, Parkpoint Healdsburg Club Manager

Parkpoint Health Club opened its doors in Healdsburg in 2006 and, after two decades of coaching thousands of members through every stage of life from first workouts to lifelong routines, one thing is clear: real health isn’t about extremes. It’s about habits you can keep. Here are some of the most powerful lessons our trainers at Parkpoint Healdsburg have learned over the past 20 years of helping people move better, feel stronger, and live healthier.

  • Consistency beats intensity, every time. You don’t need the “perfect” workout. You need the one you’ll do regularly. Short walks, quick strength sessions, gentle classes—they all add up. Progress happens when movement becomes part of daily life, not something you suffer through a few times a week. Trainer insight—Amber Cook: Your body isn’t the same every day, and that’s normal. Learning to adjust your intensity based on how you feel is one of the most important long-term fitness skills. The most effective workout isn’t the hardest one, it’s the one you’ll actually come back to. Try this: Aim for movement most days of the week, even if it’s just 20 minutes.
  • Strength training is for everyone (and no, you won’t get bulky). One of the biggest myths in fitness is that lifting weights makes people, especially women, too muscular. In reality, strength training improves metabolism, bone density, posture, joint health, and everyday energy. Trainer insight—Jessica Cliver: ‘I don’t want to get bulky!’ is the number one misconception about weightlifting. Hormonal differences, diet, and genetics make it very difficult for women to build large muscle. I encourage people of all ages and fitness levels to aim for stronger, not skinny. Try this: Add 2–3 strength sessions per week using weights or resistance bands.
  • Progress takes patience. Real results come from steady effort over time. The habits you build slowly are the ones that last. Trainer insight—Doug Cummings: Persistence and patience pay off. It doesn’t happen overnight. Try this: Track small wins: more energy, better sleep, increased strength, not just the scale.
  • Your body changes—and that’s normal. Fitness is about meeting your body where it is today and building from there. Amber Cook’s mantra: Let go of what your body used to do 5, 10, or 20 years ago and accept how it’s showing up for you now. Try this: Modify when needed, rest when necessary, and celebrate what your body can do today.
  • The best fitness plan is the one you enjoy. If you dread it, you won’t stick with it. Whether it’s swimming, yoga, dancing, strength training, walking, or group classes—enjoyment fuels consistency. Trainer insight – Caleb Guest: When beginning your exercise journey, don’t be afraid to start small with short periods (<10 minutes) of physical activity (walking, gardening, cleaning the house, etc.) sprinkled throughout the week. See how your body responds to these and then gradually increase either the number of sessions or the amount of time you spend moving each week. This will help your body gradually adapt while you work to develop a new fitness habit. Try this: Choose movement that feels good first. Results follow naturally.

20 years in—the biggest lesson of all. Health isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, adapting, and building habits that support you through every stage of life. After 20 years, the truth remains simple:

Move often. Get stronger. Rest well. Be patient. And keep going.