Naples Lakes Fitness Program Earns Awards

At the Naples Lakes Country Club Fitness Center, fitness is always about health and wellness. But it’s also about having fun while staying healthy for its most senior club members.

This is easy to achieve when the fitness team at Naples Lakes has been named Best Fitness Center/Gym, Best Yoga Studio, and Best Personal Trainer in a recent awards competition by readers of Naples Daily News.

Best Fitness Center

Competing with scores of area fitness centers, under the leadership of Laz Rua, Senior Director of the Club’s Fitness/Wellness Department, Naples Lakes was awarded the top prize for Best Fitness Center/Gym. “As a community, we are constantly seeking opportunities to encourage guest participation in fitness activities,” said Laz. “On a daily basis, our entire team strives to promote a healthier and happier lifestyle for our members, who have signed a pledge to the Blue Zones lifestyle. Our club’s chef now prepares more healthy menus and we have added community bike racks and hosted well-being events and plant-based cooking demonstrations. All of these programs combine to make this a highly popular program with our members.”

Best Yoga Program

Named Best Yoga Studio is April “Shanti” Maveal, Yoga Instructor and Massage Therapist for Naples Lakes. With over 30 years of Yoga experience, Shanti uses the Thai Yoga practice, in addition to other techniques acquired from teachers of all cultures. She guides members in classes on Traditional Yoga and Chair Yoga, Gentle Yoga and Mobility, Stability and Flexibility, infusing teachings with her heartfelt intention for healing.

Best Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer

During his 15 years at Naples Lakes, Laz Rua has helped members embrace not only fitness but also wellness leading to a better quality of life. He was instrumental in completing stringent Blue Zones requirements for Naples Lakes. While also working at Naples Lakes, Laz was Assistant and Head Wrestling Coach at Naples and Palmetto Ridge High School from 2007 until 2016. He stopped coaching after the arrival of his son Max. Today, he is guiding “active seniors” in the community – where the average age is 74. “Fitness and wellness have always been my passions, no matter the age of the participants,” says Laz. “The Naples Lakes residents are all young at heart and a pleasure to teach.”

Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor Shelia Frasher has been teaching wellness at Naples Lakes since 2007. She also serves as the Blue Zones Coordinator for the Naples Lakes members. A Naples resident for nearly thirty years, Sheila’s professional qualifications include an impressive list of trainer certifications including conditioning, aerobics, as well as pilates, and piyo instruction. She is also a TRX Certified Instructor, NESTA Certified Fitness Nutrition Coach, American Heart Association AED & CPR Certified, and a member of the International Association of Fitness Professionals.

With guidance from these award-winning fitness professionals, Naples Lakes residents have learned that exercise and physical activity are not only great for their mental and physical health but can help improve heart and lung health, keeping them independent as they age.

“We are extremely proud of these honors as they represent the voice of the surrounding community while recognizing the professional work of our associates,” added Bryan Roe, General Manager and COO of Naples Lakes Country Club.

About Naples Lakes Country Club

Located at 4784 Naples Lakes Boulevard, Naples Lakes Country Club (NaplesLakesFL.com) is a private 490-acre gated golf course and country club community where “bundled” golf membership is included with every residence. It is the only Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course in Collier County. The community contains more than 200 acres of lakes and protected nature preserves and has been designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, one of only 114 in Florida.

For more information, visit NaplesLakesFL.com. Twitter | Facebook