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In the years following lockdown, fitness seems more important than ever to many people. One destination in Roane County offers a variety of training courses and classes to allow citizens to get in or keep in shape, no matter their background. The Body Shop was started in Rockwood last year by Denise Swafford, and is located at 4327 Roane State Hwy.
“I opened the body shop a year ago this April, really out of a passion that I’ve had for many years to have a local health and wellness gym that’s available to the community,” said Swafford. “Offering a place where there’s no intimidation, it’s really an environment where everyone can feel comfortable, welcomed, and supported to find their journey into wellness and whatever that looks like and it looks different for everyone. It’s not this extreme ‘bro’ gym where people go in and throw weights around. It’s a state-of-the-art gym, I selected all of the equipment and organized the facility and saved a Roane County building. The old barber shop and Jolly Bowl combo that, during COVID, had gone back to the county and was county-owned. I bought the building and completely gutted it, redid everything.”
Swafford and her husband moved to Roane County almost 4 years ago, and both have backgrounds in government work. Swafford started her gym with encouragement from her husband after frustrations stemming from difficulties finding a gym that worked for her.
“I’m originally from Alabama, a very small town called Arab,” she said. “I was a kid when I lived there and my full-time job during the day, and this is a passion project for me until I retire, I worked for the federal government. Before we came to Roane County, I was in Tucson, Arizona. My husband is a retired border patrol agent and that was his last duty station before he retired. And that’s where we were and the reason we came here is because my parents live in Crab Orchard off of Airport Road. And as they get older I just really wanted to be close to them, and my husband wanted to be close to the water, so this was perfect for us.”
Since opening, The Body Shop has only increased the number of classes, instructors, and customers.
“We’re doing great, I’m reaching people, our offerings are expanding, our classes are expanding, hiring additional instructors,” she said. “One of the things I pride myself on is anyone who teaches in our gym is a certified instructor, they have to hold certifications in their skill set. We have small group training classes of all different levels from beginner to advanced if that’s what you’re looking for. For me it’s just a blessing that everyone I come into contact with and am able to bring a safe comfortable environment for wellness that creates longevity for your life and happiness and wellness. That brings me joy and means that I did the right thing in opening our doors.”
Services offered at the body shop includes small group personal training, full body fitness for beginners, yoga classes, specialty group classes, and private personal training. The gym also offers a variety of membership plans with prices ranging from $8 for on-demand barre, to $175 for a monthly membership of 12 classes.
“As we continue to expand our offerings and get to know our community and what everyone is interested in, I would love to own another building six times this size and bring more visibility to health and wellness in Roane County. I have hopes of and intentions of growing this business to be able to offer this for as long as it is a benefit to our community.”
