By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
SIGOURNEY – Kimi Hernandaz spent six years running Boot Camp Madness. Now, she has a new gym that is solely hers. Hernandaz’s new gym, named Uplift Fitness, is located at 101 East Marion, on the southwest corner of the Sigourney Square.
“I think the community needed something fun and uplifting and active, and I used to run Boot Camp Madness on the other side of the square, and had such great community support and atmosphere and just accountability for people. So I decided to bring it back,” said Hernandaz.
Uplift Fitness opened its doors on August 18. For two weeks, the gym was free, so people could try it out prior to its official launch on September 1. KCED held a ribbon cutting at the gym on August 30.
“This is more of a HIIT Style 30-minute workout, so you can come in and get out and be on with your day,” said Hernandaz. “I think people like that it’s 30 minutes because they feel like they can come in and get out, and it’s almost no excuse. You find that 30 minutes for yourself for the day. So it’s just easier, especially with busy moms and stuff, they can come in and get in quick and get out.”
On Monday-Thursday, Uplift features five classes, at 5:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Fridays, there is no 6:00 p.m. class. The gym also offers an 8 a.m. class on Saturday.
“I wanted to find something that was positive and empowering, just something with that type of feel to it,” Hernandaz said about the gym’s name. “We do a chant after every workout. We all come together and I say ‘Together we rise, together we overcome, together we uplift,’ and then everyone says ‘Uplift’ on three. And just kind of that positive atmosphere that I want people to come in and feel welcome and have a good time while they’re working out.”
