Harrison fitness studio looks to provide locals with customized training experience

Javon Thorpe and Kristen Rue of Tarentum want to provide their clientele with a friendly, personalized fitness training experience that larger gyms may not be able to provide.

Thorpe, 28, and Rue, 39, made that their goal when opening Flexwork Fitness at 2418 Freeport Road in Harrison in February. Thorpe’s customer base as a general contractor grew to the point where he realized he would need his own location.

The co-owners together train as many as 40 clients with nutrition and exercise programs.

“No. 1, we care. It’s not just a paycheck for us. We build a pretty big rapport with our clients,” Thorpe said. “I would definitely say we change people’s lives. You see a huge difference from when they first come in here and when they start to build confidence. It’s like night and day.”

Thorpe, also a touring musician, photographer and firefighter in Tarentum, said he has always been interested in fitness. But the way in which he became a trainer was unforeseen.

While Thorpe was working the front desk at Planet Fitness in the Natrona Heights section of Harrison, a trainer had quit on the spot, he said. After the manager jokingly told him that he should pursue the job, he discovered his passion.

“I just fell in love with it instantly, and I was like, ‘This is kind of my calling,” Thorpe said.

Thorpe and Rue have a long history together. Rue babysat him as a child before they eventually became friends. From there, they became workout partners, best friends and now business partners, she said.

Thorpe described Rue’s entrance into the fitness world as “inspirational.”

“I’m a recovering addict,” Rue said. “So I decided to do something different. I had an eating disorder at the same time, and I had a choice to make before I died. I decided to come into the gym. I got a trainer and then I started competing within a couple years. And that’s what led me to training clients.”

The trainers acknowledged that some people may be hesitant or nervous about starting their fitness journey.

Thorpe said he asks clients about a hobby of theirs, noting that any activity can be difficult at first. He then referenced his own experience getting into photography.

“Take the example for me to go shoot my first concert,” he said. “I didn’t know where to go. The more you do it, the more humble you get. It also helps, too, and I think that’s why a lot of people come here, is they have that guidance. They have somebody keeping them accountable.”

Thorpe and Rue both emphasized connections with their clients. Rue, for example, said she always answers her phone even though she has a separate full-time job while being a single mother.

Flexwork Fitness offers a variety of programs, including one-on-one training; small-group training; remote training; weight-loss coaching; nutrition coaching; and workout program designing.

The rates per 45-minute session can vary greatly depending on individuals’ needs, Thorpe said.

Those looking to contact Flexwork Fitness for more information can do so by calling 724-472-7357 or emailing flexworkfit@gmail.com.

More information, along with pictures of clients’ progress, can be found on their Facebook page.