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WRIGHT TWP. — A veteran fitness trainer opened a new gym/fitness facility in the township on Monday. ek Fitness officially opened for business at 395 Oak Hill Road in the Crestwood Industrial Park, the same building that houses Zodiac Printing and Vintage Tub & Bath.

Eric Kozden, of Dallas, owner of the new 13,000-square foot gym, is a 25-year fitness expert. He has a degree in exercise science with a concentration in exercise gerontology — exercise for older adult populations.

“The vision has been going on for an awful long time,” Kozden said about the two years he’s been “actively looking in Mountain Top.”

Joseph Boylan, vice president of economic development for the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce which owns and operates the Crestwood Industrial Park, said the chamber is proud to have the new tenant in the park.

“The investment from ek Fitness represents the continued efforts of our local entrepreneurs and business community to drive our local economy and make Northeastern Pennsylvania such a great place to live, work and play,” Boylan said.

Kozden said the gym will have a relaxed atmosphere with “approachable staff” that offers various types of programs. The fitness staff members all have degrees in exercise science, which is “very important” to Kozden as he wants people to feel comfortable in the gym.

“We can supervise on the floor,” Kozen said, “(The staff) will make sure people are in alignment of the machines, motivating them on the cardiovascular exercises.”

The center’s evaluation room is the “most important part” to Kozden, who started his career in a hospital-based wellness center. Those who join will begin in the room to get baseline readings and a goal questionnaire to help the staff base a fitness plan around an individual.

“I feel if that room doesn’t happen, we can’t set up a program based on their needs out here,” Kozen said.

To vary training, the gym has a Synrgy 360 — semi-private group training — room, cycling classes, kickboxing and strength training classes. For an extra free, those who join can also have personal training, dietitian counseling and massage therapy.

Having the center in the industrial park gives Kozden and his staff a prime area focusing on “corporate wellness.” Kozden’s existing clients and local sports teams, such as Crestwood, have all expressed interest in having the facility in their area.

“It’s been phenomenal,” he boasted. “Not too much (public) resistance.”

Monthly rates for a membership are $39 for military personnel, students and senior citizens to $99 for a household of three or more. ek Fitness doesn’t contract its members.

For more information on ek Fitness, visit www.ekfitness.net.

Eric Kozden is the owner of ek Fitness in the Crestwood Industrial Park.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_fitness1_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgEric Kozden is the owner of ek Fitness in the Crestwood Industrial Park. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

Molly Brobst works on one of the 35 machines at ek Fitness in the Crestwood Industrial Park.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_fitness2_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgMolly Brobst works on one of the 35 machines at ek Fitness in the Crestwood Industrial Park. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

ek Fitness trainer Christen D’Eliseo trains Molly Brobst on treadmill intervals.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_fitness3_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgek Fitness trainer Christen D’Eliseo trains Molly Brobst on treadmill intervals. Fred Adams | For Times Leader

By Melanie Mizenko

[email protected]

Hours for ek Fitness:

• Monday-Thursday: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Friday: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Saturday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko