Creating accessible wellness in the Old First Ward

A spin and yoga studio in the Old First Ward is doing more than just giving people a place to workout.

It's the first gym in the area, so it's creating greater accessibility for health and wellness in an area without a rich network of gyms, retail and grocery options. 

The owner, Kat Ford, has taken this gym on as a passion project. She grew up just one block away from Core Velocity, so she has deep roots and loyalty to the neighborhood. "It was a great place to grow up, with everyone knowing everyone. It had its lows and we just want to bring it back," says Ford. She says she wants to kickstart the revitalization of the neighborhood.

Ford says she wants to offer an affordable option for staying healthy, because during cold winters it can be hard to be motivated to drive the 10-15 minutes to the nearest gym. The studio offers pay-as-you-can classes once a week, where clients can pay only what they can afford for a yoga or spin session.

Ford says the Old First Ward has many new housing developments, meaning more residents are moving back to the area, but the business climate isn't growing as quickly as the influx of new neighbors. She wants that to change, hoping she can convince other local business owners to consider the Old First Ward. She works closely with Undergrounds Coffee House, creating a close-knit group of local business owners.

To find out more information aboutCore Velocity on South Park Avenue, click here.

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