In Studio Fit, you won’t see a leg press or a treadmill or an exercise novice struggling to figure out how a machine works. Instead, you’ll find a group working out together, with the instructor calling out encouragement and advice from the front of the room.
The new business, recently opened in Santa Maria, is a group fitness center with the amenities of a large gym in a more intimate, cozy setting.
The studio offers group yoga, pilates, and Zumba classes, as well as different levels of indoor cycling, all while touting the tenets of privacy, personal attention, and help from professional instructors.
Owner and instructor Marcy Gowers opened Studio Fit to create a more private exercise studio after finding that large gyms didn’t meet the needs of individuals who wanted a more personalized workout.
“Everyone has a different idea of why they are there, and our instructors are able to go around and find out what that reason is and what they are looking for,” Gowers said.
Growing up, Gowers spent much of her time in the dance studio, excelling in ballet, tap, and jazz. In high school, however, she found herself in the gym taking indoor cycling classes. She immediately realized her passion.
With this discovery, she dreamed of creating a place where classes typically only found in a large gym could be enjoyed in the small setting of a dance studio.
After moving to Santa Maria from Santa Ynez two years ago, Gowers began implementing her dream when a lot became available for purchase a few miles away from her house.
This cozy setting caters to the needs of people who aren’t looking for a large gym atmosphere by offering smaller classes, new equipment, and lunchtime classes for the working professional looking for a quick class during his or her lunch break.
Gowers decided to offer activities to people of all ages and fitness levels. The studio doesn’t have a membership or entry fee, but rather a pay-per-class model.
“I didn’t want membership fees; it locks people in and it creates unhappy people,” Gowers said.
Studio Fit is primarily web based, so anyone interested can go online to reserve a spot in a class or walk into the studio before class to learn if there are openings
Gowers feels like she’s finally doing what she was meant to do.
“I absolutely love what I do,” she said. “Not a day goes by that I don’t enjoy motivating people.”
Gowers leads classes every day, with a team of professional instructors helping her offer fitness to the community, exemplifying the Studio Fit motto: “The studio that keeps you fit and the right fit for you.”
Studio Fit is at 2345 S. Broadway in Santa Maria. For more information, call 361-0006.
Highlights
• A weekend of exploration and education of the West Coast Chardonnay wine-producing regions and winemaking styles is on the menu for the upcoming Chardonnay Symposium in Santa Maria, set for July 22 and 23.
Guests will have exclusive access to Santa Maria Valley wineries for the event. On July 22, the historic Sierra Madre Vineyards will be host to a vineyard tour and clonal tasting with Chardonnay experts, followed by a welcome barbecue.
The symposium’s second day begins with two educational panels at Bien Nacido Vineyard and Tantara Winery, headlined by Wine Enthusiast’s Steve Heimoff; Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible; and an A-list of winemakers. A VIP lunch at the award-winning Au Bon Climat/Qupe Winery follows.
The afternoon’s “Grand Chardonnay Tasting” features 50 wineries from Oregon, Sonoma County, and throughout California, paired with culinary delights at the Byron Vineyard and Winery.
For more information, or to order tickets, visit thechardonnaysymposium.com.
This week’s Biz Spotlight/Highlights were written and compiled by Intern Malory Ensor and Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Jul 7-14, 2011.