As big name chain gyms spring up around them, the independent fitness center Just Move Fitness and More continues to gradually make a name for itself as a place where people find fitness is fun and that it can become a part of their everyday life.
Sara Burhans and Heather Christy are co-owners of the gym at 626 Romence Road in the Hillside Plaza across from D&W in Portage and have been building the business in the 3,000 square foot space--2,000 of which is dedicated to the main studio--since late 2012.
For those who are used to gyms where members work out on lots of heavy duty equipment -- this is not that gym. Burhans and Christy focus on group classes, where participants cheer one another on as they meet their fitness goals. It's a supportive environment where classmates get to know one another and help provide accountability and encouragement.
Their focus on teaching people the fun of movement has attracted people of all ages and fitness abilities. "Most people are in their mid-30s to 60s, and we have women in their 70s," Christy says.
There is no fee to join and classes can be paid for as students drop in, purchase a package of classes, or buy the unlimited option.
The newest class being taught at Just Move Fitness is Shockwave, an intense rowing circuit class that has been called, "the most efficient total body workout in the world" and consists of rowing sprints and other full-body exercises in a circuit format.
The rowing machines come with a tub of water that provided resistance as the person exercising pulls. The class "rows" a certain distance and everyone in the class must continue to "row" until all of the rowers have completed their rowing distance. It leads to a lot of mild competition as rowers encourage one another to make the distance.
Shockwave classes began Jan. 10 and immediately began to fill up. "People have gotten addicted to it very quickly," Christy says. There also are cardio and strength classes, called Ripped. Dance fitness classes are some of the most popular. Just Move also offers aqua fitness classes through an agreement with Portage Central Middle School.
As the name of the fitness center suggests, there's more. Just Move Fitness hosts a lot of parties, they even have one suitable for bridal parties. They've had proms, yoga parties, and dance parties complete with disco ball.
Running the gym has been challenging for the two women who had no background in starting their own business. "Our growth has been slow and steady," Christy says. "Everyone says it takes three to five years to become established and we have found that to be true."
What has been encouraging to them is that a number of their participants have found they liked it so well, and believed in their methods of having fun while getting fit, that they went on to become certified as fitness instructors and now teach at Just Move Fitness and More. They now have 10 to 12 instructors and 25 classes a week.
"We have something for everybody," Christy says.
Source: Heather Christy, Just Move Fitness and More
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.