A new place to get fit

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/08/2015 (3973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When one door closes, another opens.

At the end of July, Fukumoto Fitness closed the doors to its popular Golspie Street gym to move to a new location at 50 Burnett Ave. in North Kildonan.

“We had a week in between the two places where we were here 12, 15 hours a day for a week before opening up,” recalled Johnny Fukumoto, owner and head trainer at Fukumoto Fitness.
Fukumoto took over the Burnett property in the spring, gutting the former industrial space and setting up two large workout areas.

“The space is more than two times bigger,” Fukumoto explained, giving a tour of the brand-new gyms and reception area. The space also includes improved parking, and a large back lot, which Fukumoto is hoping to make use of in the near future in some form.

Unlike drop-in gyms, Fukumoto Fitness specializes in group training. Before joining, prospective members take part in a free physical assessment and orientation.

“People can try out our program for free for a couple weeks, so they can decide if we’re a good fit,” Fukumoto explained. “We show them what we do, and they can make the call.”

Once you’ve decided you’re in, coaches then establish a regular routine, wherein members take part in group fitness activities. Members encourage each other in the group environment, and share their stories of trials and success. In the reception area, there is a wall dedicated to highlighting those stories. For clients who might need more specialized attention, Fukumoto added that personal training is an option, though it is more costly.

Fukumoto believes that the community focus of the gym is what sets it apart from other facilities.

“Other places are more about convenient and cheap,” he said. “In here, you don’t just come and exercise based on what you think you know. It’s very much you being coached, to be the best you can based on our knowledge and expertise.

“People here get the energy and inspiration from other people and their stories. They use that as part of their experience to become better,” Fukumoto added.

For Fukumoto, the importance of giving back is deeply ingrained. For years, Fukumoto Fitness has run Burpees for Romania, a month-long fundraiser supporting summer camps for Romanian orphans. This year, Fukumoto Fitness members raised over $20,000, which covers the operating costs of Impact Romania’s summer camp program.

With their much larger space, Fukumoto is already looking forward to next year’s Burpees for Romania, and their improved capacity for hosting other fundraising events.

Fukumoto does admit that the vibe of Fukumoto isn’t necessarily for everyone.

“If you don’t want to talk to anyone, not think about charities, not read the newsletters, then this probably isn’t for you,” he said.

However, he is quick to invite the community in to give his gym a shot.

“Some people might be skeptical because of past experiences with gyms or physical education,” he said. “We never want to force people or pressure them to join. You don’t have to be in good shape, you just have to have a good attitude.”

Fukumoto Fitness is holding free orientations on Sept. 3 at 5:30 p.m. Visit fukumotofitness.com for more information, or to register for orientation.

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