I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since Michael’s Body Scenes appeared on the scene. I’ll never forget asking our fearless leader, Michael Papamichael, how the heck he intended to take on the “giants”—the Bally’s, the Gold’s, the World’s gyms.

Michael did most of the construction of the first gym, located in Beracasa way, himself. He hand picked the instructors and proved that by getting the best, you’d become the best.

MBS was voted one of the top 10 gyms in the country by Self Magazine a few years ago. That’s a huge recognition for a mom and pop operation!

Over the years we have certainly evolved. Instead of pounding high impact classes (with hand weights!) we are exercising smarter and safer.

MBS has always been on the cutting edge of new trends and education and that philosophy still continues as we offer both hard and soft exercise, including yoga and Pilates.

But, for me, it’s been the wonderful people—both staff and members—of the club that make it special. So I asked folks to reminisce and recall their most memorable MBS moment.

Oh, I’ll go first…

I have too many heartwarming memories to list in this article. So I’ll highlight some of the characters who became fixtures at the club. Who among us, from the old days, could ever forget Keith and Gwen, the husband a wife team who practically lived at the gym!

And Sandy Thigpen, who along with Lori Sunderman taught the “Salt and Peppa” dance class. Sandy has moved on to Hollywood where you’ll see her gracing both the big and small screen. Lori is still with us and getting prettier every year!

And Jeff, the handsome instructor whose life and death touched us all. I will never forget the moving tribute we had in his memory. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

And the time when aerobics classes were so territorial people actually got into fistfights for a front row spot!

Personally, MBS has marked many milestones. The afternoon of my wedding, I took Michael’s then 4 p.m. aerobics class. Guess what I did on my 40^th birthday? And the day I buried my husband, I’m sure Michael was a little shocked when I showed up at his now 5 PM Saturday class! But I assure you that jumping up and down to great music was the best thing I could do for myself,

Pam Geronemus, a long time MBS member and now staffer recalls the “fiery” opening day.

“After working long and hard, MBS was ready for its first aerobics class. It was Michael’s advanced low-impact class on Saturdays’ at 5 PM.,” she recalls.

“The room was packed and Michael was very proud, excited and quite nervous. About five minutes into the class one of the speakers caught fire. Michael quickly grabbed the fire extinguisher, put out the fire and continued teaching. Talk about flair!”

Our own Sunny Allen recalls some side-splitting events. Here are Sunny's

funnies:

"One Halloween Pam Geronemus and I dressed up as Siamese twins, joined together by the tail. We were hooked together doing Michael's aerobic class. What fun!

And one April Fools Day, Pam and I had everyone in class silently leave the room when Michael turned his back to arrange his music. Big surprise! I also never forget the day 15 years ago when I had to clean the bathrooms and fumes from the bleach sent me into oblivion.

Last, but not least, I remember shifting Molli-Rose, Leslie and Andy's baby, in her bassinet from one desk to another. It's hard to believe she's now 8 years old."

Pam Robison, one of the first members at MBS, recalls the tight family atmosphere at the gym.

“I was married the same month as Michael and Fran. I had my babies during my membership and the support and love that came my way was wonderful. We were a family,” says Pam.

Actually, I got a lot of “remember when we were smaller” remarks from members who belonged to “the old gym.” But newer members feel that the closeness still exists.

“I belonged to a chain-type gym before joining MBS,” says retiree Joe Dee. “I like having the owner in the store and the professionalism that breeds.”

Lori Sunderman Willis, who has been an instructor and personal trainer for 15 years (yes, she started when she was 10 years old!) says that her stand out memory is the entire growth process.

“What comes to mind is a picture of growth and transformation,” she says. “I remember teaching Monday nights at 7:30 with only two students. One was often Jolyn Sellers. We may have been few in numbers back then but boy, we had a great workout and loads of fun!

“As time went on my class size grew and so did the club. We added strength training and eventually moved to a new location to accommodate the growth. Michael Frank teased me the other day saying that he’s known me since I was a ‘little girl’ and has watched me grow up.

“That’s how I feel about MBS. We have all watched each other grow, change and experience the ups and downs of our lives.”

Alyne Cole, who has always been an integral and beautiful part of the gym says her fondest memories are the “aerobithons”.

“We would workout for hours until we were totally exhausted,” she recalls. “But we bonded with each other. I met my lifelong friend, Sue Miller, at one of these events.”

Andy Glickman, one of the owners has similar memories.

“I recall that hot sunny morning back in the old location when we had over 100 steppers outside in the parking lot for an AIDS benefit.

“I could not believe the energy of the instructors and the participants despite the heat. I was giving out water and saw the huge smiles on their faces even though sweat was pouring off their bodies!

“It was my first experience seeing unrelated members gather together for a cause. I realized that this is what made out club so special—good people doing good things for themselves and for others.”

Andy also mentions a less “impressive” but very tender moment that marks MBS.

“I met my wife Leslie for lunch as we were building the new location and she was signing up a new member. My newborn daughter, Molli-Rose was in her gymbaree laughing away. The new member has a child in the stroller and the two babies were already bonding to each other. That’s when I realized that the new locations would have the same family feeling as the old place.”

One of my favorite members at MBS is Arleen Root. She is stunning, disciplined and has a wry sense of humor. Her favorite memory?

“When Michael showed up on time for his class.”

Sue Rue, who as a personal trainer exemplifies the spirit and caring attitude at MBS passes this thought along:

"In looking back over my years at Michael's, Sept 11th stands out as the most memorable moment in the club. Not only my personal pain, but to see it on the faces of each and every person as we were all frozen in time watching the television sets.

Yet, that can't over shadow all the joy I've seen there too. Girls growing into women, women marrying and becoming wives, wives becoming mothers…and the circle of life continues. Michael's has more "Little M's" and our club family grows...I'm proud to be apart of that family.

Mike Lucas, one of the finest members in the gym from my standpoint, wrote to pay tribute to Michael and his dreams:

"Who da thunk it?  Years ago a Boca boy with two left feet would make a name for himself, and revolutionize the way the fitness industry cared for the well being of its patrons.  Michael's  Body Scenes has done nothing but raise the standard for excellence in a family friendly kind of way.  The staff of Michael's Body Scenes continually invests in its members in life changing ways through many wellness services.  I sure am glad Michael Papamichael followed his dream and vision to make a difference in our fitness family one life at a time.