Date by Gabrielle S. Martin
Kerrie G. Genes relocated her business, KFIT, to 35 Pond Park, Hingham almost three years ago after outgrowing three previous locations over several years in Kerrie’s hometown of Weymouth. “I was on the hunt for ‘forever’ business home,” she shares, “when I came across the perfect spot in Hingham, just as our lease was about to end.”
So far, she’s loving being Hingham-based: “We hope to be in this community for a long time!”
Kerrie has been in the fitness and wellness industry for almost fifteen years, originally working as a physical therapist assistant (PTA) in an outpatient orthopedic clinic. She says, “I worked with patients from six-years-old to 100 years old! I learned so much during that time, but eventually found more passion being on the preventative side of injury and disease. I started training women on the side at outdoor parks, and that little side-hustle snowballed into a full-time gig! I eventually left my career as a PTA to launch KFIT.”
KFIT was designed “to help women fall in love with fitness.” Owner and operator Kerrie says she “wanted to create a space that supported and empowered women in their fitness journey, no matter what level they were starting at.”
She explains: “I found, back [when I founded KFIT], globo gyms were intimidating for most women–even for me, and I knew what I was doing! Also, most women-driven fitness programs and classes were geared toward things that I just wasn’t excited about. Having a PTA background, I knew the benefits of progressive resistance training and there wasn't a program out there that taught people how to really train correctly and effectively.”
KFIT’s primary offering is training programs: they offer private and group classes. “Our expertise is making sure everyone gets the workout that fits their level,” Kerrie says. “And, much like our workouts, our nutrition programs are also very individualized."
“So much has changed since our days outside at the parks,” KFIT’s founder reflects. “We used to workout with water jugs and now I have women doing unassisted pull-ups; now that's progressive training! We have also grown so much in regards to what we offer.”
However, she says that some things have remained the same: ‘There’s still something special about working out with all women, at least in our community; there’s a sense of support and camaraderie that is unique. It really feels like you’re part of something. We root for each other, but more importantly, we pick each other up again and again. People always say it’s so much more than a gym. It’s hard to describe; you just have to experience it.” Kerrie encourages anyone interested to book a free, no-sweat intro.
Throughout her career, Kerrie has continued to pursue further education on nutrition, training, and business to keep up with the current science and best practices of the industry. For this very reason, KFIT is continually evolving. “As we have grown as a business, we also grew with the needs of our clients: they needed to learn how to fuel correctly, so we added nutrition programs. They started having babies (lots of them), so we added FitPartum. The world shut down; we added Remote Coaching.”
THE ANCHOR’S Q&A WITH KERRIE OF KFIT
What are some of the benefits of routine workouts?
“Of course there are physical benefits, especially when it comes to weight training. I think it's easy to skip out on it when you’re younger and naturally feel good, but it’s when we start to get to our later years that it becomes, ‘I wish I did.’ And I saw that a lot when I was working as a PTA!” She shares.
“The difference in the quality of life between those who were active and those who were not was incredibly measurable. I don't want people to get to that. As women, we lose muscle mass as we age and there is nothing outside of resistance training that will build it; beyond that, for most of our community, it’s one of the few (if not only) hours of the day that is for them. The mental benefits are what keeps them showing up day in and day out.”
How often should we be working out?
“To me, it’s more how often can you work out, or what will you be able to stick to? Some of my clients work out with us six days a week, and others two, because that’s what their schedule can accommodate. I always tell people, 'Start with what you 100% know you can commit to, even if that’s just one day a week!' Our programming [at KFIT] is very comprehensive, so no matter what, clients are getting the most bang for their time when they can come.”
What goes into workout aftercare?
“I think the biggest thing is the overall diet. Most of what we see is women under-fueling. [At KFIT,] we love showing women that they can eat more, still burn fat, and feel better. It’s also great having our physical therapist, Kellie, on-site for dry needling and overall maintenance. I’d take a session with Kellie over the spa any day,” Kerrie says.
What are your favorite ways to be fit?
“I am my own member! I attend classes and do the same training as my community. If it has weights in it, I'm there.”
Can you make recommendations for things to incorporate in a weekend workout routine for our readers to do while they have a little extra time?
“The KFIT Remote Home Program, of course!”
What are some fitness do's and don'ts that most people don’t know?
“Don’t do something you don’t enjoy to some degree, because you won't stick to it! That’s the beauty of fitness: there are many different ways to move, so finding something you enjoy is better than not moving at all.”
What’s your favorite way to be fit in the fall?
“I recently made a quarantine kayak purchase and have loved exploring local places with my husband. We are fortunate to live where we live!”
Honestly, what a worthy investment. BRB, Googling “kayaks.”
What’s something everyone should be incorporating into their weekly workout routine?
“Weight training!”
