Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Kelley.
Hi Hannah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like many people, I came to the Charleston area from somewhere else. I work at home full-time, so when I became pregnant I really needed to meet other moms. I’ve always liked working out, so when I found Fit4Mom Charleston I decided to try it out. The moms were so friendly and the outdoor workouts were fun and different, I really loved it. They also had mom’s nights out that I liked.
Eventually, I moved outside of that area to Summerville, and I missed my Fit4Mom classes. Fit4Mom Summerville was established out here, but it was only running two classes per week, neither of which worked with my schedule. Then, about a year later, someone from Fit4Mom Charleston reposted that the previous owner was looking to sell as she was moving, and I was in a position where this was an option. So, I learned as much as I could, and thinking about building and owning something that I was so passionate about was really exciting.
I knew what Fit4Mom did for me, and I constantly see a need all over social media, especially on Facebook, for moms to connect with each other. Motherhood can be lonely, and even more so for this area where we have a lot of military families and couples who decide to move here from the north for more sun and a lower cost of living.
I assumed ownership of this location — one of about 300 locations nationwide — and it’s been a little over a year since I started. Today, I have some really passionate people on my team who care as much about Fit4Mom as I do, and I get so much fulfillment from hearing about how we have impacted women’s lives in that early stage of motherhood that can be so fragile. We help moms gain confidence in their bodies again, connect over the ups and downs of motherhood, and be a part of something that demonstrates healthy values to their little ones.
My daughter, now 2, loves to join in on the exercises with me when I take a class – especially things like jump squats or her version of mat exercises. I teach twice a week now, but taking class is still my favorite part – the way you can connect with your little ones in a different way from the day-to-day is so unique and special. Plus it’s outside, which is great!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’m laughing as I read this, no, it has definitely not been a smooth road! There is a lot to learn as a business owner, from people management to client management, to running constant promotions, keeping up with headquarters’ initiatives and changes, and, in my case, balancing this around a full-time job and being a parent and newly married.
It’s also hard to separate the emotional side from the business when you’re so passionate about it, and you work with all women! I want all of the moms who join our village to stay! But, kids get older and people move, and schedules change. I am learning to always refocus on my initial purpose and to remember no matter what happens today, there are always new moms coming into this area who need community, badly. We help fight postpartum depression and anxiety by building community, and that’s the primary thing Fit4Mom stands for. Yes, it’s based around fitness — we have classes for every stage of motherhood — but the fitness classes are really the activity that allows moms to bond and feel comfortable connecting with each other over a mutual interest.
For me, being a Fit4Mom owner has required a lot of personal growth. I also never imagined I would be a fitness instructor, but I love motivating people and have been involved in fitness my entire life in one form or another, so it made sense, but I really had to work on a new area of confidence. Our village helped me grow in that area very much, through some kind but candid feedback. Ultimately what I was missing was confidence in myself, and today I’m a lot more lively and goofy in my classes. Turns out, it’s the favorite part of my week. It allows me to disconnect from technology and enjoy the sunshine while connecting with other moms, even when I feel like the week has been so hectic and I’d rather sit home and watch TV!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think overall if you remember nothing else, it’s that Fit4Mom Summerville was built to create a place where moms can come out, get some (badly needed) self-care in, enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, and most importantly, connect with other moms in the same life stage.
Often when we become mothers we have less in common with some of our friends, as they may not yet be parents, and until you’re there people have a hard time understanding the life changes you experience. And if you have friends who have older kids, they are also in a different life stage. So, the “mommy and me” exercise is crucial for joking about things like, not getting enough sleep the night before, blowouts in the car, constantly running late, and getting advice on things like a baby’s first cold.
I think what sets us apart is simple: Nobody else has stroller-based classes that give mom a full-body workout AND offer entertainment for baby through bubbles, songs, and movement. The strollers allow us to do 5-minute cardio and strength stations and then move on for a few minutes so the baby gets a change in scenery and doesn’t get (too) antsy in the stroller. We have our main Stroller Strides class and then Stroller Barre, which is lower impact but works muscles in a different and super effective way.
Then, as the littles get older and mom’s fitness level increases, we have Strides 360 and Body Boost. These classes are conditioning and running focused. Body Boost is a HIIT-style class, and Strides 360 focuses on running intervals with speed and agility training using props like cones and ladders, with some kind of fun relay race at the end.
I’ve seen my clients develop lifelong friendships via Fit4Mom, and many clients end up becoming instructors or franchise owners because of the impact it had on their lives. It’s not just the classes though, our weekly playgroups are a great community offering that is free to everyone and are activity-based, we have an amazing Playgroup Captain who comes up with activities every week. She’s the ultimate Pinterest mom. And our Mom’s Nights Out are always different and fun.
Another important aspect is all of our instructors are certified in prenatal and postnatal fitness, which is crucial for a mom’s safety both while pregnant and in the months and years after pregnancy. We are also, of course, licensed and insured, so while we emphasize the fun and social connection, we are just as serious about providing a solid fitness service — our more advanced classes burn up to 700 calories per hour depending on how much you put into it! On average, I see moms burn about 300-500 calories per class, so as I like to say, we aren’t just a walk in the park. 😉
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is about creating impact – ultimately, beyond the financial, Fit4Mom becomes a core part of mom’s life, sometimes for years. If mom makes a lifelong friend through classes, then I have helped change the course of their lives. I really think adult friendships are one of the most precious things we can build. Also, the stories I am sometimes privy to of moms who were on medication for postpartum mental health, and being told that our classes and the experience we provide are a big part of what helped them shift out of that phase into feeling confident and finding that strength in motherhood, that confidence that all of us need.
Pricing:
- First class free
- $79 unlimited/month
- $15 drop-in
Contact Info:
- Website: summerville.fit4mom.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/fit4momsummerville
- Facebook: facebook.com/fit4momsummerville
