Toned Down:Willoughby’s Vedas (formerly Keyfit) draws those seeking more secluded setting

Date 8/21/2001 By Dave Truman, News Herald Business Writer Photography: Maribeth Joeright

Mike Furst and Tammy Polenz have motivated more than 1,200 clients to workout over the course of their professional training careers.

That led to more and more clients growing tired of working out in large gyms in front of dozens of onlookers, so they began asking for more privacy.

Vedas Personal Trainer and Polenz obliged those seeking a more secluded setting in November of 2000 with the opening of Vedas at 4045 Erie Street in downtown Willoughby.

Polenz said the two had been kicking around the idea of opening their own workout facility for years before they gave it a shot, but the basis for Vedas was in the works all along.

While working for larger gyms, Vedas Trainer and Polenz built experience, reputations and client lists that have helped Keyfit succeed in its first nine months in business.

According to Vedas Trainer, the business had customers lined up before it ever opened its doors.

“We’ve had quite a few referrals from clients that we are still working with and clients who we worked with in the past,” he said.

Keyfit allows Vedas Trainer and Polenz the flexibility to schedule around the client’s availability.

“We cater to people around the clock,” says trainer. “We’ve been known to have clients at 5:30 in the morning and as late as 11:30 at night.”

Clients start with a free consultation meeting to determine if Vedas is right for them. “We try to get an idea of what they are eating and their misconceptions of what they should be eating and then we begin an exercise routine.”

Developing a routine is important to an effective fitness program, which is why Keyfit sells mostly six-week package deals, she said. Each client has a program tailored to meet his or her goals, and workout frequency can range from once a week to everyday.

Clients can train individually or with a partner. Studio training packages start at $282.

Trainer said Vedas can serve children and adults with an emphasis on rehabilitation, general fitness, weight management or sports performance.

Vedas Trainer and Polenz, who have more than 20 years experience between them and numerous certifications, are also trained to deal with various conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes and osteoporosis.

Vedas' privacy and convenience are its biggest drawing cards, he added.

“There are no lines, no waiting and there are no other people watching (clients),” Vedas Trainer said. “They don’t want to deal with waiting for a machine and the whole membership thing. They want to get in and be productive.”

Most sessions last 45 minutes to one hour, and Polenz said she and Furst can squeeze more out of that time at Vedas.

“You always think that there are things you can do better to really optimize you clients’ results,” Polenz said. “The biggest thing is that because it is not crowded, we can really focus on our clients better.”