Who is Suesan Lazarus Pawlitski?
Putting It All Together

©1999 reprinted from Montecito Journal with permission from Judy Foreman

Santa Barbara is full of unsung fitness heroes. These are not the young newcomers, or the glossy Johnny-come-latelies. These are the diehard fitness people who have carved a niche for themselves, paid their dues, and hung in there through all the fitness trends in Santa Barbara's popular and competitive personal fitness industry.

When I received a package containing a book, cassette, and letter of introduction from Suesan Pawlitski to come check out her "Tone Up" system, I started asking around whether anyone had heard of her. She was not involved in the 'sweat sweepstakes' in Montecito, but everyone seemed to know her. "Oh yea," people would say, "she's been around forever." When I finally scheduled a visit to one of her "Tone Up'' classes, I expected to see someone who looked like sheâd "been around forever." Instead I met a small, feisty, and very buff brunette with a New York attitude and a megawatt smile. More than 20 years experience in women's fitness has made Suesan a deeply committed teacher. Pawlitski has a B.A. in dance from U.C.S.B and is a AFAA Certified Instructor and Personal Trainer. She has also authored and published 'an easy to follow' home exercise book and cassette "Be Your Best Body," which was recently featured at Borders Book Store. I stopped by for her book signing, where she was drawing a good size crowd for a Thursday night. I am sure some people were hoping for skimpy exercise wear, but as Suesan called out the directions to a group of volunteers, the person that got the most attention for her moves was one of her 'regulars'-- a very pretty and pregnant lady.

Suesan shared her feelings about the need for "Tone-Up" and her exercise philosophy after one of her classes. She told me she felt strongly that "with age women become more experienced, confident and wise; why shouldnât they become more attractive, energetic, and strong? It's never too late. Muscles don't grow old; they grow lazy!" She believes, "its more important to be consistent than to be fanatical about the amount of exercise you get." In Suesan's words, what makes her exercise system special is that it is a unique form of exercise; a synthesis of dance conditioning and athletic training. "Tone-Up is a ballet -inspired, non-aerobic, weight-bearing exercise that incorporates the use of strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination and balance."

"Tone-Up" is for women only Suesan has put fitness essentials into a 60 minute workout that she says, "gets results, is a lot of fun, and won't break your wallet. Group classes cost $10.00 Her large clientele ranges from teens to seniors and are quite an eclectic group, aged from 16 to 72. Her clients include ballet dancers, soccer players, runner, biker. kayakers, collegiate volleyball players, coaches, skiers, sailors triathletes, entrepreneurs and homemakers. There are even women who have never done any exercise, yet they all blend together in the same classes. One women who 72-year old woman has almost never missed a class in 18 years.

Suesan's "Tone Up" classes are for women only. The are currently held at The S.B. Ballet Center, 29 W. Calle Laureles near Longs on State Street near Las Positas. She conducts Tone Up 1 and 2 level classes Monday through Saturday, and offers one-on-one and circuit training at a private gym.

After participating in several weeks of classes before writing this article, I can say that "Tone-Up" and Sassy Suesan provide a good reason to leave the Coast Village Road fitness nest and check out this class. Especially now that Gelson's Market has opened up nearby!

For more information on Tone Up and schedules please call 805-898-8910