9-05-2020 6:48pm

Baer-Fit Reopens With New Owner

Rick Amburgey Neighbor

Paul Stepp (left) and Charles Baerman. Photo Contributed.

Baer-Fit was originally founded by Charles Baerman and he owned the business until he retired about a year and a half ago. It was a very popular fitness business, which was given an A rating on Angie's List. Following Baerman's retirement, the Baer-Fit building at 60 Elanor Drive in Springboro sat vacant until it was reopened by Paul Stepp last month. Charles Baerman and his wife Kimberly Baerman are back at Baer-Fit as part-time trainers.

Stepp said Baerman had told him last November that he should start a gym and Stepp said he had already thought about it. Stepp legally took Baerman's name, made it an LLC and started a private training business in the same location. Stepp said the facility features all new equipment.

Baer-Fit differs from other gym. First of all, there are no memberships. People meet with their trainer once a week for $250 per month, which includes the nutritional plan, assessments, coaching and training. Customers have access to the gym anytime it is open. Training sessions typically last between 45 minutes and one hour.

Stepp said there is always a trainer at the gym. "Even though your trainers not here and you come in to train, we're always here to help everyone. You have assistance constantly," he said. People don't have to make an appointment to go to the gym except for the weekly training session.

There are other differences between Baer-Fit and other gyms. "It's one-on-one and it's smaller than your commercial gyms, so it's a lot safer, especially in these times when everyone's concerned about the COVID," Stepp said.

The maximum number of people permitted in Baer-Fit is 15 at a time. Stepp said the equipment is sanitized top to bottom twice a week, as well as in-between clients. He said face masks are not required, but they are appreciated.

A benefit of working with a trainer is accountability. "You have someone who is going to coach you and help you through your journey," Stepp said. He said people who work with a trainer are more likely to meet their goals. He said a trainer means people have one-on-one accountability, proper guidance and proper form.

In addition to being a trainer, Stepp was also the assistant manager at a corporate gym. "I will tell you that 90 percent of the people who walk into corporate gyms have no clue... They set themselves up for injury and then they are sitting on the sideline for months getting healed up so they can go back," he said.

Baer-Fit is open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday and between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.