NEWPORT NEWS-With more than 1,800 locations, 1,700 instructors, and 250 franchise owners and “mompreneurs” nationwide, FIT4MOM provides opportunities for moms to realign their career paths after entering motherhood. Madison Wilcox, who worked as a nanny and fitness trainer prior to becoming a mom seven months ago, is introducing her franchise, FIT4MOM Newport News-Williamsburg, to moms in search of beginning a fitness program.
From pregnancy through postpartum and beyond, FIT4MOM’s fitness and wellness programs are designed to make moms strong in body, mind, and spirit. The company was founded in 2001 by Lisa Druxman after the entrepreneur became a mom. Druxman was looking for an avenue to merge her passion for fitness with motherhood. Through franchise opportunities, FIT4MOM emboldens women to become frontrunners in their communities and start their own businesses while raising children.
Wilcox is holding a soft opening of her new business at 10:30am on Thursday, June 1 near the fountain at City Center at Oyster Point. Attendees will gather for a free Stroller Strides mini workshop, one of the programs offered by FIT4MOM. Stroller Strides is a 60-minute total-body workout with strength, cardio, and core training performed while engaging with youngsters in strollers.
“We’ll be offering free 45-minute versions of the class with 15 minutes of playtime for little ones on Thursdays throughout July to introduce local moms to the program,” said Wilcox. “We usually meet outdoors, often in parks, because a big part of our mission is to get our moms out and about in their communities.”
Wilcox said the soft opening will offer an opportunity for local moms and their children to become acquainted with one another. “We’ll have free refreshments on site and a bubble party for the last 15 minutes of the soft opening,” said Wilcox.
A membership-based business, FIT4MOM Newport News-Williamsburg is offering a Founding Moms’ Special to the first 15 moms who sign up for a monthly membership.
“Our Founding Moms’ Special is still open at this time,” said Wilcox. “The first 15 moms to join us for monthly membership will get free enrollment and a reduced monthly fee, which is a $119 savings.”
Wilcox said though the introductory mini sessions held at City Center at Oyster Point are free of charge, she’ll be adding more fitness and wellness plans for members as she grows her business.
“In July, we’ll start offering our full classes at other parks like Riverview Farm Park, and eventually branch out to other locations in Newport News and Williamsburg,” said Wilcox. The new business owner plans to host a formal grand opening in September.
Wilcox said that in addition to presenting fitness challenges focused on improving physical, mental, and emotional well-being, members will be offered opportunities to build social connections as well.
“We’ll be holding monthly mom nights out at different places in the community,” said Wilcox. “That could look like going out to a wine tasting, seeing a movie, or doing a spa night with the girls.”
Members will also have the opportunity to go on field trips and explore various hotspots geared toward children in Hampton Roads.
“There’s a lot offered through the membership other than the actual fitness classes,” said Wilcox. “They say ‘it takes a village,’ so we want to offer that to the moms in our community. Membership is what we call an intro into a new village.”
On a national level, FIT4MOM partners with well-known national companies such as BOB Strollers and KIND Bars.
“I’m also going to be partnering with a lot of local businesses as well,” said Wilcox. “I’m contacting some of the vendors in City Center to start with and hope to partner with a few brands, spas, and juice shops for member exclusive codes and things like that.”
Prior to the covid-19 pandemic, Wilcox worked in a high-end gym as a personal trainer and said she’s always looked at fitness as a form of self-care.
“After I had my daughter, I realized how hard it was to get to the gym if you don’t have childcare,” said Wilcox. “After she was born, I had a hard time getting out of the house and making time to go outside. I quickly realized that you can’t pour from an empty cup. I think it’s crucial that moms have something on the calendar that’s keeping them accountable to take care of themselves. It helps that there are other moms in the same situation who are going through the ins and outs of motherhood right there in the same season with you.”
While Wilcox is in the process of adding more programs to her future line up, popular classes offered by other FIT4MOM franchisee owners include FIT4BABY, BODY WELL, and more. FIT4BABY is a six-week prenatal program that includes weekly private group workouts, community support, and a weekly journal to document the pregnancy journey. BODYWELL is an eight-week mom-only program that empowers women to improve their physical and mental well-being through weekly workouts, accountability, recipes, challenges, and more.
Expectant mothers are also welcome to join the program as long as exercise has been approved by their physicians. Modifications may be made to any exercise that poses a challenge as moms-to-be progress through their pregnancies. FIT4MOM recommends participants obtain a doctor’s approval prior to beginning any exercise program. If pregnant, please speak with your physician before your first day.
For more information about FIT4MOM Newport News-Williamsburg, call 718-490-0558 or visit its website.