Workout space at BFT, the newest exercise studio to open in Brentwood, looks different every day. Some days they set up treadmills, bikes and rowing machines for a cardio-focused workout. On others, it will be a “pump” or “power” class that emphasizes weights and strength training. Then, there are classes that are a combination of the two, all designed to complement each other and be completed in sequence.
“BFT is designed for people to be here six days a week,” says Brentwood studio owner Mark Wilkerson. “If you collectively come six days in a row, this is all about creating good habits. You get a lot of people that go to the gym erratically. I’ll go two days, get super sore, and then I don’t go next week because I don’t want to feel that bad again. Getting people to realize that, hey, you don’t have to go every day and beat your head against the wall and leave with your tongue on the floor to make the changes you want. What we’re trying to do here is change body composition and help you create new habits with lasting results.”
At BFT, the workouts are part of a nine-week program that begins and ends with a strength and body composition assessment.
During BFT workouts, participants wear a heart rate monitor to ensure that they're getting their heart rate into the optimal zone for that particular workout, and increasing or decreasing it throughout based on the goal for that day. The BFT coaches act as personal trainers, whether that’s helping with questions about certain exercises or encouraging everyone when it’s time to challenge themselves and try to lift more weight.
The average class lasts 50 minutes, and there is always one trainer for every 12 participants, says Mark. The workout space has room for 36 people per class, and they focus on creating an encouraging atmosphere.
“Everybody's high fiving and fist bumping and encouraging one another,” says Mark, who also emphasizes how efficient the BFT workouts are. “I used to do these long-strength workouts, as opposed to condensing it and getting it done in a timely fashion, like we do here.”
As for who should come to a class, Mark says their workouts are for everyone.
“We have people of all fitness levels. Some that have never worked out before and some that are really experienced that still need coaching,” he says. “We are a hybrid group fitness/personal training studio. A group fitness atmosphere with personal training attention.”
Brentwood is a great spot for his first location in part because the national company that owns BFT also owns StretchLab, their neighbor in the Hill Center on Franklin Road. BFT had a soft opening this summer and officially launched in September. Eventually, Mark says he plans to open more locations in the greater Nashville area.
Consistency is key to the BFT philosophy, so the studio uses a membership model. If someone wants to check out the studio before committing, they offer one free trial class, or, those interested can sign up for a membership with a seven-day cancellation policy. That way, people can try it out for a week and get the full picture of what the workout program is like before deciding if it is for them, Mark adds.
Seeing the progress of the members who’ve already joined is the most rewarding part for Mark: “Getting people in [the door], and helping them achieve their goals is probably the coolest thing.”
BFT is located at 205 Franklin Road #150 in Brentwood.
615.747.9495
BodyFitTraining.com/location/Brentwood