MEDINA —
Medina resident and business owner Kim Lockwood was all smiles Friday afternoon at a ribbon-cutting event that marked the grand opening of Fast Fitness at 414 Main St., Medina.
Lockwood — who is an occupational theraphy assistant and personal trainer — completed the microenterprize program, which is available through the Orleans Local Development Corporation, before opening her first Fast Fitness location in Albion. Through that program she learned how to put together a business plan and effectively run a business.
“I highly recommend it,” she said.
Lockwood also utilized a rent subsidy program that is available through the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
After the Albion location was up and running, Lockwood sold it for a profit and opened a new location of the all-women gym in Medina on Jan. 4, and she is already up to 100 members.
“I’m well over my projection of where I should be,” she said.
The new owner of the Albion location now operates that gym as Express Fitness.
“It’s obviously a big success to have opened two businesses,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Lake. He said Lockwood’s success is an example of what can be accomplished when people take advantage the programs that are available in the county. “There are things to help you get started,” he said.
Additional proof of Lockwood’s success is that she is expanding her business.
She will acquire the property next door, at 416 Main St., on Aug. 1 and hopes to have the space operational by the end of that month. By gaining more space, Lockwood will be able to add equipment and televisions to the cardio section, among other upgrades. She even plans on putting in a sauna in the future.
Her goal is to create a women’s health fitness center with a Paradise Island theme.
“I want to create a warm paradise feeling, so people feel comfortable — no matter what size they are,” she said.
In addition to a circuit that includes nine levels of resistance for an optimal workout, at Fast Fitness, Lockwood also has a “Biggest Loser” program where she uses a caloric formula modeled after the television show. By following the formula and by keeping track of what they consume in a journal, participants of the program have been successful at losing 10, 20, 50 pounds and more.
On Friday, Lockwood expressed her appreciation of the support she has gotten.
“I would like to take this time to thank Medina — the community, and the ladies — for the great welcoming,” she said.
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