JACKSON TWP. “You’ve got this” is proudly displayed on the RTC Fitness Co. home page, located in the Stark State Campus building that formerly housed the Stark State Fuel Cell Research Center.
The center has occupied the space since spring 2019.
RTC Fitness is owned and operated by Allison Sholley, a level two trainer and nutritionist. Sholley said she decided to open the gym when she returned to the area after graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in business.
“I came home from college and didn’t know what to do,” Sholley said. “One day my brother asked me to go to the gym with him. I was 22 years old when I was 30 pounds overweight so I went and from that first day I was hooked. I went to the gym five days a week. But I thought there had to be a better way to get to the gym than spending $ 125 a month on membership. “
Sholley started her own fitness company in a small building that shared a bathroom, no air conditioning, and other issues. When fuel cell research moved out of the Stark state building, they seized the opportunity and moved RTC Fitness into the facility.
“When I started going to the gym with my brother, I was depressed and didn’t know what to do,” Sholley said. That has become our philosophy and culture here at RTC. We want people to feel comfortable and safe here and know that we offer fitness programs that have been specially developed for them. “
The fitness center is equipped with weight lifting and cardio machines. Members can take part in group training sessions where everyone has their own equipment and station and can work on their own goals. You can also do personal training with a plan specially designed for you.
Members can work on body composition, physical therapy, or yoga classes. There is also a CrossFit program for kids and a separate gym that members can use at any time of the day or day of the week.
“People can also get help from one of our nutrition trainers, whether they’re a member of the gym or not. We offer full body training for members’ lives outside of the gym, ”said Sholley.
The facility is 7,500 square feet and Sholley plans to expand to 10,000 square feet in the near future. She plans to add a sauna, massage therapy, more yoga classes, and more HIIT (high intensity interval training) specialty programs.
There are seven trainers, including Sholley, a yoga instructor, a physical therapist, and a few people in administration who employ a total of 12 people in the gym, which has 110 members.
While RTC is located on the Stark state campus, it is not affiliated with the college and is open to the general public.
The center is equipped with equipment such as a crossfit rig, medicine balls, dumbbells, stationary bikes, and treadmills. Sholley said all bikes and treadmills are non-electric and are instead powered by human muscles. There’s also a Tremont Coffee Bar inside that offers coffee, other types of beverages, and healthy snacks.
Sholley said many members gather in the lounge area to socialize before or after a workout. There is also an area where members can leave their kids while they finish their workouts.
“RTC is a life changing place.” wrote RTC Fitness member Stephanie Irwin. “The support and encouragement from both the trainers and the community is what makes it so special. I’ve been a fitness enthusiast for many years, but I’ve never found a gym where I can call home like RTC. “
The center was closed due to the pandemic. During the shutdown, Sholley said she rented almost all of the equipment to members to take home. Then she offered zoom courses several days a week.
“I love what I do. It really doesn’t feel like work most days, so I’m pretty happy,” Sholley said.
For more information, visit www.rtcfitnessohio.com or call 330-329-0103.
