In 2007, Bella Fitness CEO, Donna D’Aurio, opened her doors to the first-of-its-kind mobile fitness center right here in La Crescenta. And that was just the beginning. What started as a modest business to help the residents of La Crescenta and Montrose with health and fitness has turned into a lifestyle rebuilding company that is now recognized throughout the San Gabriel Valley and beyond.
“We have clients that either don’t want to go to a gym or they simply can’t go to a gym,” said D’Aurio.
“We use free weights, mats, bands, medicine balls and kettle bells. Many things can be put in a car and brought over. With seniors, I sometimes don’t use weights at all.”
Beyond mobility, Bella Fitness is a with all the right equipment to train just about anyone.
“My whole vision was always to stay as flexible as possible,” added D’Aurio.
The motto behind Bella Fitness is to turn habits into positive addictions and D’Aurio insists that it is not just about fitness, it’s about a lifestyle change.
“It’s really about people getting in shape and more importantly feeling good about themselves. We want to motivate and encourage and help form healthy habits,” D’Aurio said.
With clientele ranging from children to adults, this mobile fitness company offers an unparalleled group of personal trainers who are ready to support the specific needs of the individual or the community.
Whether it’s after school enrichment programs, nutrition classes for teens, summer flag football, specialized aerobic activities for senior citizens or those simply looking to get their life back, Bella Fitness does it all.
“We have lawyers, executives, children, teens and seniors and we just started about a year ago doing groups which makes it very affordable and fun,” said D’Aurio.
“My oldest client is 98. We do a full workout with stairs and dancing!”
In December, extended their services to elementary schools. “We work with Palm Crest Elementary and do a volleyball program there. It’s really exciting to be starting these after school programs for kids,” D’Aurio said.
In a rather sophisticated look at the way we thrive and support each other as a community, Bella Fitness works around the clock to shed awareness into the surrounding communities. In 2009 and 2010, this philanthropic company made it their mission to raise funds for those that lost their battle to cancer by participating in Relay for Life at the in La Crescenta.
“It’s a 24 hour walk in teams. Someone is always walking for the cause in honor of those that have lost their lives to cancer,” explained D’Aurio.
“We opened the warm-up and had a Bella Fitness team there for support. It was really great.”
In addition, Bella Fitness Certified Personal Trainer, Marc Plesh, donates his time and fitness expertise to Door of Hope, a center dedicated to rebuilding homeless families and children’s lives. Every week, Plesh heads to Glendale to help aid in the self-esteem and wellbeing of its residents.
And on May 22, Bella Fitness will actively participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s—previously known as the Memory Walk. This walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. On the committee is D’Aurio herself, having lost her grandmother eight years ago to this debilitating disease.
“I was very attached to her, to put it mildly,” revealed D’Aurio.
“What happens is everything starts to shut down one thing at a time. Eventually, they will forget to even eat. That’s what happened to my grandmother. It gets to the point where their bodies just shut down.”
The Alzheimer’s Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research and to provide and enhance care and support for all affected by reducing the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Other than nutritional options to help alleviate the effects of Alzheimer’s, fitness is gaining wider recognition as playing an important role in memory function.
“It’s looking more and more like aerobic activity specifically helps that disease and with the memory. And if that’s going to slow it down, that’s great,” D’Aurio said.
“It’s a scary disease because one in every three baby boomers will get it. This is a big problem and it’s getting bigger.”
One thousand participants from throughout Los Angeles County are expected to show their support for Alzheimer’s awareness, prevention and research. Other than the two mile course, there will be a health and wellness festival, live entertainment, raffle prizes, and family activities for children.
The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Sunday, May 22, at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills (5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367). To start a team or make a donation, contact the Alzheimer’s Association.
For group discounts and deals, follow Bella Fitness on Facebook.
