Business Spotlight: Phoenix Fitness (A New Boutique Fitness Studio in Ballston)

Boutique fitness studios are booming right now. And Phoenix Fitness is one of the latest studios to open in the Ballston area of Arlington. Phoenix Fitness offers high intensity interval training without the intimidation factor of big box gyms. The emphasis on small classes and motivating instructors will put fitness newbies at ease while offering up a challenging workout for all fitness levels. My favorite class offered at Phoenix Fitness is Tabata and emphasizes functional exercises, total body toning and high intensity interval training that will whip you into shape in no time.  I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Stephen Kidd, one of the owners of Phoenix Fitness.

Clarendon Moms: With all the big corporation fitness clubs that permeate the market, what inspired you to open a new fitness club?

Stephen Kidd: We wanted to create an inviting atmosphere where people could workout with their trainers in a comfortable, community environment without sacrificing quality or convenience. Our focus is solely on our clients and helping them to achieve their goals; for us, it was about building a studio based on that foundation.

Clarendon Moms: Out of all the places in the DC area you could’ve opened a new fitness facility, why did you choose North Arlington?

Stephen Kidd: All three of us (Sharney Wiringi, Remy Kim and I) live in or around Arlington and saw a gap in the market for a quality space in which trainers could work with clients on their own terms and on their own schedules. We love the area and wanted to give residents and people who work in North Arlington a place where they are the focus. Many of our clients are moms who are juggling a million balls in the air and have very little time to workout. To maximize what little time they have, we have each customized programs with our clients to get the most out of our sessions while still working towards achieving their goals.

Clarendon Moms: Specifically the Ballston area?

Stephen Kidd: All three of us had previously worked in Ballston and wanted to build a space that was still convenient for our existing clients but also provided interested locals with a new option for one-to-one training.

Clarendon Moms: What separates your club from the rest?

Stephen Kidd: Our people and our mission…Phoenix Fitness personal trainers are experts in their chosen fields of expertise; all of our instructors are nationally certified, with many holding degrees that are internationally recognized. I personally have over 7 year experience, I grew up in the Charlottesville area. I studied Health promotion and ran track at Lynchburg College. During my training sessions and classes I strive to motivate and help my clients improve their physical fitness and achieve their goals, with tough, fast paced, high intensity workouts, to maximize both time and physical abilities. Each workout is different; my goal is to encourage muscle confusion and prevent a physical plateau in a fun, motivating environment. I try to gear each session or class to each individual or groups range of goals, including strength training, weight loss, speed, flexibility and toning. I also will come to your home for personal training. Along with my mind morning classes at Phoenix I also do outdoor boot camps, check them out at www.gtownbootcamp.com.

My Co-owner and personal trainer Sharney Wiringi has over 15 years experience in the fitness industry, helping people achieve their goals in New Zealand, England and the United States. He has developed a knowledge based on the fundamental principles of sport science to train and develop a broad spectrum of clients, from rehabilitating professional athletes to helping clients shed weight while concurrently giving them the strength and confidence to take full control of their lives. Similarly, co-owner and elite personal trainer Remy Kim, who has over 14 years experience in the health and fitness industry, believes his biggest satisfaction is seeing clients getting results, meeting their goals and making healthy lifestyle changes. As he says, “Fitness is not a temporary commitment, but a lifetime commitment.”  With this team of incredibly talented people, we’ve designed the studio with one mission in mind: to help our clients reach their goals and maximize their results. That’s what sets us apart – our focus on our clients.

Clarendon Moms: What is the best way to get motivated to workout?

Stephen Kidd: We find that variety along with a fun atmosphere help to big the best results out of clients. All of our trainers are skilled in a wide array of training abilities. Our space is welcoming to all fitness levels.

Clarendon Moms: What is a good workout for busy moms interested in getting the maximum results using the least amount of time?

Stephen Kidd: There are many great Tabata workouts that can be done at home with no equipment. Its important that everyone stay moving and active. There are a lot of things our trainers can teach our clients and your readers to don’t at home with nothing more then floor space. For workouts where an individual has little time they should try to do multi joint and muscle motions, to get the most bang for their time. Don’t waste time with isolation exercises such as bicep curls. Spend your time doing exercises such as Squat thrust that use multiple muscle groups.

Clarendon Moms: What is the one thing should never be skipped in a workout and why?

Stephen Kidd: Core/abdominal work! Our core is the base for all other muscle groups. Thus it should be worked and engaged is every workout.

Clarendon Moms: A lot of moms are focused on losing weight, especially in the beginning of a New Year. Do you believe there’s a certain time of day to workout to optimize a woman’s chances of getting thinner?

Stephen Kidd: The morning is the best time of day for our bodies to workout due to hormones. But I wouldn’t say you have to workout. I just encourage my clients to try and get a workout in every day and not worry too much about what time. We as a society need to move more and eat better.

Clarendon Moms: What’s a good first step for someone who hasn’t ever tackled their fitness goals?

Stephen Kidd: Regardless of fitness levels, everyone can benefit from a goal setting and consultation from a trainer. Trains can provide new ideas and helpful insight for anyone looking to workout more effectively.

Clarendon Moms: Let’s talk about Phoenix Fitness. How did you come up with the name?

Stephen Kidd: The phoenix was a mythical bird that was recast in the fires of life and reborn from its own ashes. It has long been presented as a symbol of renewal. We believe that we all can be reborn; our clients’ health is our priority, and we believe that—like the phoenix—you can improve your life and shape your future by casting aside your unwanted shell and becoming the person you really want to be.  So at Phoenix Fitness, we are dedicated to helping you transform your body so you can rise from the ashes of your former self and emerge a new, stronger, more confident and energetic version of you.

Clarendon Moms: I love your Tabata classes. What inspired you to have a Tabata focused weekly curriculum?

Stephen Kidd: Tabata is a great way to incorporate interval training to my classes and one-on-one training. I started using segments of Tabata in one of my other classes and clients enjoyed it so much that I started a 930am Tuesday class just dedicated to Tabata and Abs.

Clarendon Moms: What else is currently available at Phoenix?

Stephen Kidd: In addition to one-to-one personal training, we also offer an array of group exercise classes (including yoga, boot camps and strength and conditional training), nutrition planning and maintenance, exercise periodization planning, corrective kinetics and injury prevention programs, and sport-specific training. Down the road I would love to have TRX classes/boot camps. I would also like to open up a spin studio as we grow in the next year or so.

Clarendon Moms: Is there any plans for expansion in the New Year?

Stephen Kidd: We are always looking at how we can build our space and grow our community to give our clients what they need from a fitness facility. There are some ideas in the pipeline but nothing confirmed yet…definitely stay tuned!

Clarendon Moms: Is there anything you’d like to share with the readers of Clarendon Moms that you haven’t shared with anyone yet?

Stephen Kidd: I would just like to encourage all your readers to keep us in mind for their fitness goals. And let them know that they are welcome to bring their children with them so that there is no excuse for not working out.

Clarendon Moms: Thank-you for taking the time to grant me this interview. For more information on Phoenix Fitness, click here. 

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