Wellness Warrior

Cindy Black, wife, mother and owner of Body Edge Fitness, is a cheerleader to those looking to get healthy.

With a dedication to health, fitness, compassion and hands-on motivation, Cindy Black, owner of Body Edge Fitness Studio, is dedicated to giving her clients what they’re looking for in a lifestyle change.

“Being able to see someone come alive from the moment they first step on a treadmill or lift a weight to watching their weight come off is what drives me to do what I do,” she says.

A New York native, Cindy relocated to Wilmington to complete her degree at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education. Her original career goal was to be a physical therapist, but while working on her undergraduate degree, she took a job as a personal trainer at a gym and “fell in love with it.” Not only did she enjoy helping clients achieve their fitness goals, but also the job gave her the flexibility of being able to set her own hours. She decided not to pursue physical therapy after all.

In 1997 she found a niche as a personal trainer in Sunset Beach and began working with clients at the Sea Trail Plantation Property Owners Association as well as their Village Activity Center. As her client base grew, so did her need for space. She opened a small, 1,400-square-foot fitness studio in Sunset Beach in 2003. When she outgrew that space, she moved in 2008 to an almost 5,000-square-foot location in Ocean Isle Beach, and Body Edge was born. She’s still in the same location, but so much for setting her own hours.

“It’s more than a full-time job now,” she says with a laugh.

Even with the demanding responsibilities of running her own gym, Cindy makes her family life a priority.

In 2008 she met her future husband, Aaron, when he walked through the door to take a Pilates class. “He bought a month’s membership and eventually started teaching a spin class,” Cindy says. They bonded over their love of sports and fitness — Aaron played football for East Carolina University. “By the third date I knew I would marry him,” she says. Ten years later they have two children, Zachariah, who is 6½, and Bauer, who is 2.

Aaron, a general manager at J.P. Russ & Son, Inc., lends his full emotional support for his wife’s entrepreneurship and believes she is doing just what she was meant to. For more than 10 years he’s watched her build people’s self-esteem and help them reach their goals, inside and out.

“One day I walked into the gym and l observed clients who were underweight, overweight, old, young and transgendered, and I saw Cindy interact with them all,” Aaron says. “She was excited, welcoming and happy that each and every one of them was there. It inspired me.”

It’s the act of helping someone start their health and wellness journey that inspires Cindy. The personal trainer in her wants to see to it that people get started safely and effectively. That’s a crucial part of being successful in reaching health goals. All new members receive a free orientation to learn how to use the equipment properly. Working with a personal trainer at Body Edge can also help clients boost motivation, fast-track results and make going to the gym more enjoyable. And that’s something that Cindy and her other two personal trainers on staff strive to achieve. Working out with a friend is another way to help people stay motivated, which is why Body Edge offers discounted group rates on their personal training services.

The Body Edge difference, or BE, is their approachability and their friendliness. From the moment someone walks through the door, they’re greeted not only by upbeat and helpful staff, but also by friendly members. The diverse demographic of members and clients who use the gym can easily find something that interests them. From group classes for beginners and intermediates to personal training to free weights and machines, the staff can point customers in the right direction.

Making her gym approachable and accessible goes hand-in-hand with Cindy’s fitness philosophy. “We all need to realize that we can’t accomplish things without being in good health, especially as we grow older,” she says. “Strength, flexibly and balance are so important for our everyday lives.”

Yoga is one of those exercises that can help just about everybody, no matter their mobility or fitness level. Body Edge offers yoga for various levels, including the newly added gentle yoga. “It’s geared toward people who are new to yoga or those looking for a less intense practice, but it’s also perfect for anybody looking for a gentle stretching class,” Cindy says. Body Edge also offers beginner spin classes for students who are new to the aerobic exercise.

“Removing the intimidation factor by adding friendly faces, beginner-friendly classes and personal training sessions is key to getting more people into the gym and improving their health and longevity,” Cindy says.

No matter your goals — lose weight, gain weight, increase strength, improve flexibility or make new friends — “Body Edge is the place to BE!” Cindy says.

Cindy is encouraged that more people in the area are taking their health seriously. Last year was their best year ever, with an influx of new members and people taking classes, and this year is already on track to surpass last year.

“We’re seeing men and women of all ages and all fitness levels come in,” Cindy says. “We have friends who work out with friends, spouses who work out together and people who come in and make new friends while they’re here.”

Want to put the fun in fitness?
Body Edge Fitness Studio
6741 Beach Drive SW, Suite B, Ocean Isle Beach
(910) 575-0975
bodyedgenc.com