Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennie Brooks
Hi Jennie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Charleston and was very influenced by my parents on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. My mom and stepfather, both highly competitive marathon runners and my father, the same as an open water swimmer, I spent my childhood cheering them on at the finish line. Witnessing their discipline and dedication to their sports instilled a passion for fitness as well as a personal drive to be successful in whatever I set out to do in life. With a background in a variety of exercise and wellness modalities, I wanted to create a holistic health club that offered many carefully curated services. It was important to me that they complimented one another and allowed members to personalize their wellness journey throughout different stages of their life.
I have worked with Olympians, apprenticed with master instructors, and developed a signature style of training that focuses on improving body mechanics and empowering the mind to achieve wellness and longevity through movement.
I am a Master Educator for Balanced Body and lead the Pilates Teacher Certification Program at Longevity Club. I am a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and hold teaching certificates in Pilates Core Fitness Roller, Pilates for Golf, Tabata training, Posture Analysis and Correction through the National Posture Institute, TRX Level One and Two for Sports Medicine, and have completed the highest level TRX certification, TRX Team
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While it took two years to find the location for the downtown location, when I finally happened upon the Penthouse at 163 Rutledge with its wrap around windows, tons of natural light, and views of the Charleston peninsula, I knew I had found Longevity’s home. In 2015 we opened our doors and I was fortunate to be able to start small with 2,000 square feet, occupying the top floor of a commercial building and then gradually expand within the walls, taking over the third floor in 2020 and then the remaining floors in 2022. The pandemic certainly posed its challenges, but our members were incredibly supportive. Due to our obsession for cleanliness and high level of customer care, they felt comfortable returning when the ban was lifted and have remained loyal throughout our expansion. Charleston has since experienced rapid growth and we have benefitted, doubling our membership in 2023 and expecting to reach our membership cap by the end of 2024.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Longevity Club Charleston has four floors offering a variety of fitness, wellness, recovery, and retail selection on each.
Our 2,100 sq. ft. Penthouse level has a Pilates reformer class studio with stunning views of Charleston, a Serenity Studio for low impact classes, such as Yoga, Stretch, and mat Pilates, a massage therapy room, as well as an 1,800 sq ft. wraparound training deck with relaxation terrace.
The third level offers 2,400 square feet with a private training studio and Recovery Lounge with infrared sauna and zero-gravity massage chair by Human Touch.
The second floor is the newest addition and has 5,000 square feet with a fully equipped Pilates studio for private sessions, a group class conditioning studio, several private showers/changing rooms, and a 2,000 square foot open gym with state of the art equipment. Three wellness suites, occupied by acupuncturist, esthetician, chiropractor and functional medicine doctor are also on this floor.
The calm, serene aesthetic of our reception area emulates a modern boutique hotel, with warm tones and a neutral color palette. All of the custom woodwork was designed and constructed by my brother, Eric Brooks, a renowned craftsman, with a shop located on Sullivans Island. Brooks Custom Woodworks. Paying special attention to the senses was of particular importance to me…how the club smells (we are known at the fitness club that “smells so good” and “feels like a spa”), the lighting, having the right music at the right volume, the textures of our lounge seating and feel of our rain showers. We also offer complimentary amenity bars on each floor with fruit, mints, espresso, tea, and filtered water.
More than 75 group classes are offered per week by our expert trainers including Pilates (reformer and mat), yoga, TRX, HIIT Circuit, Barre, and my signature cardio/strength class, Sweat Therapy.
Chiropractic care and functional medicine by Bradley Brunner of Brunner Wellness
Regularly scheduled sound baths open to the public
Longevity-themed community dinners and group wellness retreats
Specialized workshops, guest lectures, fitness and athleisure apparel trunk shows
Also, we are extremely excited to open our second location this year: Longevity Pilates is opening late summer in the shops at Freshfields Village on Kiawah Island!
Contact Info:
- Website: thelongevity club.com
- Instagram: @longevityclubchs
- Youtube: @longevityclub1586
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