Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcia Wever.
Marcia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started teaching group exercise and personal training while in college at the University of Illinois. In 1980, of course, this was a new field at that time, especially for women. This experience helped me understand that I wanted to finish my business degree and work in Fitness and Wellness full time. This started my journey of working in all aspects of fitness from commercial to corporate.
I worked as an instructor and as a manager for 15 years at universities, large commercial fitness centers, corporations, hospital-based programs, in-home training, and small independent fitness centers. In addition, during this time I became an educator for other instructors and began certifying fitness instructors and personal trainers for the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America.
I realized most instructors were underpaid, were not respected by their employers, and had no say in how they developed as a professional in the industry. During this time, I also started my own business, City Fitness, to offer continuing education to instructors and to teach in-home clients and group classes. In 2001, I quit my full-time position for Wellbridge, a high-end commercial facility, expanded City Fitness by rebranding as St. Louis City Fitness, and went out on my own.
My goal was to offer a nurturing place for instructors and trainers to enhance their skills, provide service-based programs to clients, and be paid a living wage as an instructor. Since that time, we have moved the business 6 times and expanded our services to include personal training, Pilates (small group and privates), small group personal training, group exercise, GYROTONIC® training, and massage therapy.
Throughout this journey, I have built a team of the most talented young fitness professionals in the metro area who believe in the same philosophy of wellness.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Of course, 2020 and 2021 were two of the toughest years in the course of my business due to COVID-19. Over the years, as the industry has changed, I stumbled but never fell. Trends in fitness and wellness come and go. It is hard to stay the course of your mission and not get swept up in the newest fad and chase the money.
Fortunately, my original mission statement “Wellness that fits your lifestyle” has helped me stay the course. We strive to offer wellness options for each of our clients that uniquely fit their needs at the particular time they come to us for help. In addition, when I started in 1980, women in the fitness industry were supposed to wear a leotard, look cute and jump around. The “real” trainers were men and there didn’t seem to be a place for women.
Over the decades, we have proven that our knowledge and skill are valuable assets. I can remember a time when I would walk into a facility to present a personal training certification and the young men in the class would roll their eyes at me. They would look at me like “What is she doing here?
She is going to teach me about weight training?” It is wonderful to now work with talented young “me” in the industry and be accepted and treated with respect.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Marcia: Our brand is collaborative and is based on the client’s needs. This was my original goal for the business and what I am most proud of. We are not the typical fitness business of designing a program and making your clients fit your program. The old saying is “fitting a square peg in a round hole”.
We collaborate between fitness and wellness professionals to design a specific program to meet the physical, emotional, financial, and social needs of our clients. In addition, the services we offer under one roof are not offered together anywhere else in St Louis: GYROTONIC®, Pilates, Personal Training, Small Group Training, Group Exercise, Massage, and Neurokinetic Therapy(NKT, a muscle testing protocol).
We are a family of wellness professionals with the same philosophy and goals working together to help our clients however we can!
Justin: St. Louis City Fitness has been a part of me my entire life. My mother, Marcia Wever, started the business in the ’90s when I was an adolescent. It is a true family-owned and operated business. From my dad and brother helping with every build-out with each new location to me becoming the Fitness Coordinator.
Since the beginning, St. Louis City Fitness has prided itself on making the client the top priority. Bringing the best trainers in their respected fields together to improve the quality of life for all our clientele. Throughout the years, we have transformed St. Louis City Fitness into a one-stop-shop for everything the body needs. On the premises, we provide personal training, Pilates, Massage, Yoga, and GYROTONIC®.
Emilee: St. Louis City Fitness feels like home to me. Before I came here, the Pilates world felt divided. If you didn’t teach Pilates a specific way, then you were doing it wrong. My philosophy didn’t align with this way of thinking so I floated from studio to studio the first few years I lived in St. Louis, looking for a place that fit my mindset and provided a healthy space for my clients.
St. Louis City Fitness is the first place I’ve worked where certified instructors across disciplines work together and share expertise. Every client that walks in the door gets an invaluable experience. I’ve grown as an instructor at St. Louis City Fitness because I’m surrounded by a group of people that embrace the collaborative spirit!
The relationships that I have built, not only with my clients but with my co-workers, make me feel inspired when I come to the studio.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Marcia: When I started in fitness, the science behind fitness was in its infancy. I was so fortunate at U of I to take classes in physiology and what today is called exercise science. This journey led me to want to be certified in group exercise and personal training in the early 1980s when it was a very new concept.
I took my first certification through AFAA(Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) and met Linda Shelton and June Kahn. Without these two amazing fitness professionals, I would never have become the instructor, educator, and business owner I am today.
Linda was a pioneer in the industry for education(she was a founding member of AFAA), fitness journalism(she was the exercise editor for Shape Magazine), and an amazing instructor who helped start the fitness video industry. June is a national presenter for Pilates, Group Exercise, and Personal training. I worked for June for several years from 1991 to 2000. June is my mentor and friend.
Justin: The person that deserves the most credit is my mom Marcia Wever. She has been such a positive influence in regards to me becoming a great trainer. Leading by example from going out and getting numerous different certifications to providing me with countless case studies of potential clients I might see in my career.
I also credit Jim Adams, at Catalyst, for leading me down the right path to becoming the trainer I am today. He showed me what it took to become a great trainer and how much hard work and education it would need. Jim also encouraged us to always work on ourselves first so we can be the best example for our clients.
Emilee: If this was the academy awards, my list would belong! When I reflect back on the beginning of my Pilates journey through Balanced Body, Joan Karlen and Amy Beversdorf were my two Pilates Heroines. Joan was the head of the Dance Department at UW- Stevens Point where I earned my degree in Dance and Arts Administration.
Amy is an alumnus of the UW – SP dance department and started her own Pilates business in the area. With support from Joan and the whole dance department, Amy made UW-SP an official Balanced Body education site.
Amy taught me the importance of “why”. Why teach a client a certain exercise? Why would this movement help or hinder the client? Know the “why” and know your client. Listen to the whole picture the client is sharing with you and determine the movement that is fit for them. This mindset has enabled me to problem solve and work with clients with varying abilities so that they feel like the best version of themselves.
I worked privately with Joan early in my Pilates years as well. I always admired the calm specificity in the way she taught. We worked deeply and functionally as opposed to working hard. This has been beneficial in many parts of my life, even outside of the studio.
I’ve had many other mentors in my life (Marcia Wever being one of them), but I will always be grateful that Joan and Amy were there from the beginning
Pricing:
- Private Training: $630/ 10 classes, $342/ 5 classes, $73/ single class
- Duet Training: $393/ 10 classes, $220/ 5 classes, $44/ single session
- Small-Group Training (up to 4 people): $131/ 5 classes, $31/ single class
- Group Classes: $90/ 6 classes, $20/ single class
Contact Info:
- Email: info@stlcityfitness.com
- Website: https://stlcityfitness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st.louiscityfitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlfitness
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY0PlTPFpF9mP_XDtvvWT4Q
