Dawn Lucowitz is known widely throughout the community as a fitness enthusiast, but she began her journey at the YMCA. She has a spunky, fun and energetic personality that will be sure to make an impact on your life!
Lucowitz has been interconnected to sports and fitness most of her life and played collegiate basketball and lacrosse, eventually becoming a dual-sport Division I Hall of Fame athlete. She moved to Plant City in July 2018, unsure of what she wanted to do and even more unsure of where to begin. Not knowing anyone was a struggle so she sought help from a close friend who challenged her to visit gyms in the surrounding area to see what they had to offer, both personally and professionally.
“I wanted to get to know Plant City and the YMCA ended up being the perfect place for me,” Lucowitz said.
She thought she was coming to join as a member but soon realized there was so much more she wanted to be a part of. She felt an instant connection.
“The second I walked in the door, I knew I could hang out with these people,” she said.
Lucowitz started working as a wellness coach at the Plant City YMCA in June 2019. She wanted to utilize her Group Exercise Certification but had also just become a personal trainer and needed a place to help her get started.
“I wanted a place that I knew was going to foster my desire to teach and let me grow, but mentor and teach me at the same time,” Lucowitz said.
She moved on to teaching classes varying from step to HIIT while building her personal training clientele. She developed a passion for group fitness and discovered a love for one-on-one training, especially with the senior population. Years before working with the Y, Lucowitz worked in a geriatric rehab facility as a social worker. This prior experience helped feed and grow that desire to help seniors become more confident, physically and mentally, through personal training.
A few months later, Lucowitz became one of the Y’s certified LiveStrong coaches to help those affected by cancer to participate in physical and social activities with a safe, supportive environment. After that, she stepped up to the plate by becoming certified to teach Enhance® Fitness, which is a proven senior fitness and arthritis management program that improves endurance, strength, balance and flexibility.
“Because I had a lot of flexibility in my schedule, I was forced into teaching and trying new things I never would have done before had I not had the time,” she said. “Any new job you take, you have a little bit of that imposter syndrome. It’s having that job opportunity to be reminded, encouraged and pushed but also have people who are going to give you the right feedback you need to grow and be better next time.”
Today, Lucowitz is not only a part of the Y but also a member of Toastmasters, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and Master Networker.
For someone who is new and looking to get connected in their community, Lucowitz advised, “If you are looking to get connected and health is a priority, the Y is a great place because, yes, we have group exercise classes, machines, the pool and programs for every age group. But you get a community, added support and the ability to relate to people of every age group. It’s multigenerational and I’m connected to so many more people than I could imagine because the culture at the Y fosters relationships.”
You can see what the Y has to offer and meet Lucowitz for yourself. Stop by the Plant City Family YMCA, 1507 YMCA Place, call 813-757-6677 or visit https://www.tampaymca.org/locations/plant-city-family-ymca.
Hannah Franklin is the Wellness Director at the Plant City Family YMCA.