E24: Beyond Pilates: The Legree Method Changing Lives in Northern Colorado

Step into the world of innovative fitness as we meet the dynamic trio behind Fit5 Studio—Wendy DiMartino, Kelsey Miles, and Kelsey Vance. Their story is nothing short of inspirational: three passionate fitness enthusiasts who purchased a studio during the height of the COVID pandemic and transformed it into a thriving community with locations in both Fort Collins and Windsor, Colorado.

The Legree method they teach offers something truly unique in the fitness landscape. Performed on specialized Megaformer machines, it delivers high-intensity, low-impact workouts focused primarily on strength training. What sets Fit5 apart is their warm welcome to absolute beginners—no special introductory classes required. Anyone can walk in and join any session regardless of experience level. This accessibility breaks down the intimidation barrier that prevents many from trying new fitness approaches.

Beyond the physical benefits, Fit5 Studio has evolved into a genuine community hub. As Wendy vulnerably shares, the studio became her sanctuary during personal hardships, and many clients find that same support system within its walls. "The workout is challenging and the most rewarding thing you do, and you come back for the community," perfectly captures their philosophy. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast looking for a sustainable, joint-friendly workout or someone seeking both physical challenge and meaningful connections, Fit5 Studio offers a refreshing approach to wellness that extends far beyond exercise. Ready to transform your fitness journey? Check out their website or follow @Fit5Studio on Instagram to learn more about joining this vibrant fitness community.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Nick George.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Are you in need of an excitingfitness studio?
One might be closer than youthink.
Today I have the pleasure ofintroducing your good neighbor,
wendy DiMario, and her two otherbusiness owners, kelsey and
Kelsey, with Fit5 Studio.
Wendy, kelsey and Kelsey, how'sit going?

Speaker 3 (00:32):
Good.
How are you today?

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Good, excellent.
We're excited to learn allabout you and your business.
Tell us about your fitnessstudio.

Speaker 3 (00:41):
Well, thanks for having us.
I'll get started and I'll letKelsey and Kelsey jump in.
We are the owners of Fit5Studio.
We are based in Fort Collinsand we also have a studio in
Windsor and we teach the Legreemethod.
The Legree method is done on amegaformer machine.
Some people like to compare itto Pilates.

(01:02):
It's similar, but it definitelyhas its differences.
It's a high intensity, lowimpact workout for all ages, any
type of fitness level.
We work with all differenttypes of people coming into our
studio that are interested intaking care of themselves and
evolving their fitness regime.
I'll let maybe Kelsey Bantz orKelsey jump in with any ads.

Speaker 4 (01:25):
Yeah, so Legree is a strength training based method,
so that's a major differencefrom Pilates.
So what we teach is all basedon strength training.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
How did you get into the business?

Speaker 3 (01:39):
Good question.
So Kelsey Miles and I were bothclients at the studio prior to
owning it and Kelsey Vance wasan instructor at that studio.
And during COVID, the previousowner, who was the sole
proprietor, decided that shewanted to sell the business.
And Kelsey Miles and I said wedid not want the studio to go

(02:02):
out of business, have any chanceof it closing, did not want the
studio to go out of business,have any chance of it closing,
and so we knew that Kelsey Vancewas interested in potentially
owning a studio herself.
So the three of us got togetherand, in a very serendipitous
type of way, decided to buy thestudio from the previous owner.
So we bought the studio in themidst of COVID, so it was in

(02:23):
November of 2020, which I thinkwe all like to say.
It was a little bit of a riskfor us to do so, but it has
worked out really well.
Obviously, being able to growthe studio now to a second
location speaks to the fact thatthe three of us, I think, had a
passion for Legree and the Fit5business itself and have done

(02:46):
really, really well in growingit and expanding it in the
Northern Colorado community.

Speaker 2 (02:53):
What are some myths or misconceptions in your
industry?

Speaker 4 (02:59):
I would say that you have to know what you're doing.
To take your first class,that's really good.
Yeah, some people always youknow they always get phone calls
Like I've never done thisbefore, is that okay?
Do I have to take a specialclass or anything like that
before?
And absolutely not.
You can come in as a beginnerand take any class you want on
our schedule.
Um, so it's very beginnerfriendly and you can be doing

(03:21):
this for years and years andyears and still get that
challenging workout.
So I think people when theythink of you know trying
something new, they're veryhesitant because they've never
done it before.
So I think a misconception isthat a beginner can't do
something new.

Speaker 2 (03:37):
Who are your target customers and how do you attract
them now?

Speaker 3 (03:44):
That's a great question, kelsey Miles, you go.

Speaker 5 (03:49):
I would say our ideal client is well, typically it's
women.
Women are just known to dofitness group fitness classes
more than men, but we do havemen that take our classes, but
ideally it's a woman, usually inher would say over 35 to 50 is
kind of our demographic Right.

(04:09):
It's low impact, so we'relooking for longevity of our
bodies.
Typically it's it's somebodythat just really wants to push
themselves physically, mentally,physically, mentally.
It's a tough workout and eventhough you're in a group setting
, it's really like focused onyourself and where you want to

(04:31):
be and how hard you want to makeit.
So, yeah, do you guys havesomething to add?
No, I think that's good.

Speaker 2 (04:38):
Oh, go ahead, Keep going.

Speaker 3 (04:40):
No, no, that was good .
That was a great answer, Iconcur.

Speaker 2 (04:46):
Outside of work.
What do each of you do for fun?

Speaker 5 (04:53):
I'll go, first Things , outdoors hiking, skiing,
reading, spending time with myfamily, my kids.

Speaker 4 (05:05):
Yeah, same thing outside.
I mean, we live in Colorado soit's always something to do.
A lot of pickleball in myfamily, always at the park
playing pickleball, especiallyin the summertime.

Speaker 3 (05:16):
And I would say for me again outdoors, colorado
fitness, riding my bike.

Speaker 2 (05:23):
I'm just being outside and spending time with
my family as well okay, unlesssomebody else wants to answer
this, I'm going to direct thequestion towards Wendy.
Please describe a hardship orlife challenge you overcame and
how it made you stronger.
What comes to mind?

Speaker 3 (05:45):
Oh, that's a good question.
I think anytime that there'sloss in your personal life and
that can be through death orrelationships I think it teaches

(06:06):
you to dig deep and findstrength.
And I know that for myself andI'm going to tie this back to
the business my a way for me tohave gotten through those types
of situations has been to Iescaped by going to fit five and
even though it's my businessand I own it, I obviously work
out there and it's acommunity-based business and my

(06:30):
community at Fit5, inclusive ofmy business owners, really
helped me get through somechallenging times.
And I think there's a lot ofour clients who have found that
community within the walls ofour studio to where they're
faced with whether they'rechallenges of loss it could even
be a loss of a job, anythinglike that.

(06:52):
There's an aspect of the peoplethat are at and go to our
studio that really care abouteach other and that helps them
get through it.
And I'm going to flip it to say,on the opposite side, it's also
a place where we celebratewonderful things together.
So you know, this past weekendwas the Colorado State
University graduation.
There's a lot of clients thatcame in to say that their kids

(07:13):
graduated and we're all there tohelp celebrate and help.
You know to support one anotherin good times and bad times.
So for me it was.
You know Fit5 was a groundingspace for me through some really
difficult times.

Speaker 2 (07:27):
Wendy or one of the Kelseys, please tell our
listeners one thing they shouldremember about Fit5 Studio.

Speaker 4 (07:36):
The workout is challenging and the most
rewarding thing you do and youcome back for the community.

Speaker 2 (07:41):
the workout is challenging and the most
rewarding thing you do and youcome back for the community.
Yeah, how can our listenerslearn more about Fit5 Studio?

Speaker 5 (07:52):
You can visit our website.
It has all the informationabout what Liguri is our
schedule.
Same with social media.
You can follow us on Instagramat Fit5Studio.
That's where we post a lot ofwhat's going on for the week,
for the month.
You can also join our emaillist through our website.
That's where you get a ton ofinformation of all of our

(08:13):
special events, special sales,everything like that goes out.
Email first.

Speaker 2 (08:19):
Well, ladies, I really appreciate you being on
the show and we wish you andyour business the best moving
forward.

Speaker 3 (08:24):
Thank you for inviting us.
We appreciate it.

Speaker 1 (08:28):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go to GNP Fort Collinsdot com.
That's GNP Fort Collins dot com, or call 970-438-0825.