VIRGINIA BEACH — Led by two city residents who say their lives were changed by the franchise, a military-inspired gym is opening this fall.
With an emphasis on providing judgment-free fitness programs, SoldierFit is expected to open it’s first Virginia Beach location in December on Holland Road.
While the company is not associated with any branch of the military, its model pays homage to the armed forces through its terminology and emphasis on boot camp fitness classes that help members obtain their fitness goals as a team.
Gym owner Carla Palavecino said she plans to provide residents with a place where they feel apart of something bigger than themselves.
This also holds true for general manager Johnathan Moravec, who told Southside Daily SoldierFit provided him with a chance to climb back up from rock bottom.
“Most people say when they hit 30 or get into their 30s sometimes they hit the reset button,” Moravec said. “Mine wasn’t just a reset. I lost everything and still owed people.”
Moravec was the former owner of Vec’s Plex, now Vault Athletics and Fitness, which he started back in 2013.
While his business started out strong, Moravec fell on hard times as understaffing and financial troubles forced him to close its doors two years later, leading to a downward spiral that resulted in him losing his house and car.
Without work, Moravec said the most devasting blow came when he needed move in with family in Frederick, Md. in order to get back on his feet, separating him from his son.
“It was the first time that I ever failed at anything, and failed miserably,” he said.
Going from seeing his son every day to once every two weeks took its toll.
At his lowest point, Moravec said he was introduced to SoldierFit co-founder Danny Farrar, kickstarting his journey back into the fitness industry and back to his son.
He says the welcoming atmosphere of the employees and members coupled with the positive attitude from its founder ultimately led Moravec to join the team as a sales representative.
“I’ll never forget how [Farrar] made me feel like everything is going to be OK,” Moravec said. “He didn’t even know me. He didn’t know me from Adam, and he opened up to me first.”
After a year and a half working with the brand, Moravec said he was ready to return to Virginia Beach.
While Moravec said he struggled with moments of doubt, he believes his return to the area and the fitness industry proves that “anything is possible as long as you believe,” a mentality he wants to incorporate in the gym alongside Palavecino.
According to Palavecino, who also started as a member in Pennsylvania, SoldierFit’s model is based on more than just fitness.
While the 5,300-square-foot facility will offer a 700-square-foot weight room for members, also know as “troops” at SoldierFit facilities, the main focus of the gym will center around the group exercise programs called “boot camps.”
With much of the gym expected to be covered in turf, “troops” will have their pick of high-intensity group fitness classes led by an instructor throughout the day.
“It’s not just about fitness, it’s about character building,” Palavecino said. “You know how you walk into the gym and everybody is checking you out, the first thing you noticed was there were no mirrors in the facility. Walking through that door you are already accepted, whether you are 400 pounds, 90 pounds, or have a disability, you are accepted.”
SoldierFit’s Virginia Beach location is slated to open on Dec. 9 and will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends.
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