Main Event Boxing and MMA studio couldn’t have set up shop in Keremeos at a more opportune time.
“Fitness is the message,” said owners “Coach” Rob and Donna Pelletier. The new business is sure to complement “healthy community” initiatives currently being developed by the village, the regional district and Interior Health.
“There isn’t a lot in the way of fitness facilities in the area,” Coach Rob continues, “people use the rec centre, or have their own fitness machines at home, but they lack a ‘fitness atmosphere’ - something we can provide.”
The Pelletiers feel they have the formula to make bring fitness to every resident of Keremeos, young or old.
“Home programs and exercise routines eventually fail for most people because inspiration is lacking. They’ll listen to a DVD for a few weeks, lose their motivation, and their exercise equipment becomes a very expensive clothes hanger.”
Rob and Donna have put together a weekly schedule that provides instruction and workout time for every age category.
Donna’s Pilates class, for instance, has an 82 year old resident who faithfully attends the sessions.
“Women of all ages really embrace the programs,” Donna said, “We’ve been really blessed with the interest the community has shown in our business. The village has been very supportive.”
Programs are broken down into two categories - “gentle fit” and “super fit.”
People who are recovering from injury, seniors and others benefit from a slow, lightweight introduction to exercise. As they progress, they move into a higher strength, higher intensity “super fit” program that aims at full body conditioning. A “lunch fit” class allows participants the opportunity to work low impact exercises at gentle or super fit paces.
“These are low impact exercises that someone can do without working up a sweat,” said Donna.
Afternoon classes are aimed at students and kids, as are weekend sessions that are open to five year olds and up. There is also a teen program, where adolescents are encouraged to bring their homework, workout, connect with peers and relax in the “Hard Knuckles Cafe.”
“Parents like the layout,” Coach Rob said, “they can relax in the cafe while the kids work out.”
Finding suitable commercial space for a gym wasn’t easy, the Pelletiers found, especially having come from Toronto, where venues could be easily found. They moved to the area in order to be closer to Donna’s father, who resides in the village.
For the hard core, Coach Rob brings a professional level of coaching expertise to the community for those who are interested in mixed martial arts, boxing and grappling. He’s been a certified personal boxing trainer for more than 30 years, and has worked with both professional and amateur boxers.
“Our name is boxing and mixed martial arts, but we really are a fitness facility,” said Donna, “ we welcome everyone in the community - we’re much more than a boxing facility.” She noted that the gym proves to be a pleasant surprise to those who have dropped in to date.
We really can get anybody into shape,” Coach Rob added, “most people understand the need to exercise and eat healthy foods - that the two blend together in moving towards fitness.
If a person is willing to make good lifestyle choices, we can provide the rest of what they need to accomplish their fitness goals.”