By Jill Nagy
After two years, the S.W.E.A.T. Revolution fitness
center has outgrown owner David Martin’s
garage and moved to a storefront at 219 Main St.
in downtown Hudson Falls.
The official opening for the new site was set
for Sept. 27, but classes began at the beginning
of September, even though construction was not
yet complete.
S.W.E.A.T. Revolution offers “functional training,”
using the body’s own weight in exercises
designed to promote health and fitness, “something
that you would use everyday,” explained
Melissa Folster, who manages the business end
of the enterprise. Classes are offered to people of
all ages and abilities, including children, athletes
and older folks.
Emphasis is placed on good form and safety,
mobility and stability, and doing things correctly,
whether getting up off a chair or getting up off
the floor, according to Martin. The “S.W.E.A.T.” in
S.W.E.A.T. Revolution stands for strength, wellness,
exercise, athletics and training.
The business is locally owned and managed and
not part of a chain or franchise. “Just me,” said
Martin. It is also the only gym or fitness facility in
Hudson Falls.
Martin grew up in Hudson Falls and was a star
basketball player at Hudson Falls High School and
the College of St. Rose. After graduating from College of St. Rose, he spent three years as an assistant
coach at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.
Another Hudson Falls athletic star, David’s
sister, Leslie Martin, a high school All-American
track and field athlete and pentathlon competitor,
will also teach classes at S.W.E.A.T. Revolution.
Folster’s background is in finance. She may do
some teaching but, on the whole, will be responsible
for the business and public relations end of
things. She recently embarked on a new career
as a professional fitness competitor, taking part
in her first professional competition in Las Vegas.
Some 70 women from around the world entered
that competition.
Folster enters the bikini competition in events
sponsored by the World Beauty, Fitness and Fashion
Organization.
At the previous site, classes were limited to
10-12 people and a total of about 75 students
could be accommodated. The new facility will be
3,000 square feet when completed, allowing both
class size and the total number of students to be
increased. In the beginning, Martin will use only
about half of that space.
NASCAR race car driver Trevor Bayne’s Ford
Mustang will be on display during the grand opening
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 27.
The gym is located across from Maxwell’s Pub,
at 219 Main Street. The telephone number is
265-5437.
Photo by Jake Van Ness