rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
CANTON — “If you were to put five things in a bag about me, fitness and helping people would definitely be two of them,” said new Canton Fitness owner Josh Ellsworth.
Ellsworth grew up in Troy and since adolescence, has always loved working out and staying fit.
After high school, he moved out of the area to join the Marine Corps. and eventually ended up in California. That’s where his fitness journey really began. There, he learned how to take something he loves doing and turn it into a career.
Fast forward a couple of years, and after visiting home, he decided to make a huge change to his life and purchase the Canton Fitness Center.
Fitness Center
Ellsworth bought the gym last year from previous owner Mary Ann Porter, and has been job shadowing her on how to run the business. It officially became his in the new year.
In the fitness center are 20 resistance training machines, five barbells, a full rack of free weights, a weight lifting platform, both steel and iron wights and rubber rogue weights, three punching bags, cardio equipment and more.
Ellsworth says the gym is more than just a place to come work out at, and is for more than one demographic of people.
“Getting started is one of the most important things,” said Ellsworth. “If people go and do anything for a period of time and don’t know what they’re doing, the likelihood that they will quit is very high.” Ellsworth said he would like to help those people be consistent about reaching their goals and in a timely manner.
He recently added a personal training department to help clients achieve their personal and fitness goals. Ellsworth is already working with multiple clients from all walks of life.
A new membership includes a one-hour fitness assessment for personal training, which will dive into personal fitness goals of the client, as well as assessing nutrition.
“We talk a little more about the challenges they may have and I give my tips, advice and opinions on things they can do to help them get closer to their goal.”
Tanning
The second floor renovations of the gym will be complete by the end of May. The purpose of it is to be a cooling off section with cardio equipment, for peaceful yoga, or just to cool off after an intense workout on the first floor. Tanning beds will eventually be moved to the second floor.
The Fitness Center offers a 9-minute standing tanning bed, as well as a variety of tanning products to use with it. The tanning bed is designed to give you the same amount of tanning power in nine minutes that you would normally receive in a 20-minute bed.
Classes
Ellsworth’s personal favorite, certified kick boxing, will hopefully make its way to the gym as well, including a class for children.
By the end of May, Ellsworth plans to begin “Power Hour” classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6:45-7:45 p.m. This class will be a HIIT-styled workout with more weights involved.
Membership
Fitness memberships start at about $40, though members who enroll in auto pay will see a $5 discount every month.
For tanning memberships, members must be at least 16 and need a parent signature if under 18. Tanning packages can be added to any gym membership for an extra $35 plus tax.
Family memberships are also available and pricing begins at $55/month. Each additional qualifying family member is added to a membership for $16/each a month regardless of manual or auto pay.
Key cards are used between 24/7 and can be purchased for an additional $10, which will be refunded upon return.
Staffed hours vary but are normally 8 a.m.-noon and 3-7 p.m. weekdays. Please call Josh at 760-613-4411 with any questions or for assistance when unstaffed.
Ellsworth also carries a supply of “Magnificent Mushrooms” at the Center. These are mushroom tincture supplements that have a host of benefits and are sourced locally from Hawk Meadow Farm in Trumansburg, N.Y. The types he carries are: Lions Mane, Cordyceps, and 5 Mushroom Mix Tincture.
For more information about the Canton Fitness Center, go to their Facebook, stop by at the location at 38 East Main Street, Canton, or go to www.cantonfitnesscenter.com. Every day, Ellsworth encourages everyone to “be their best.”