Main Street Fitness staff grows

By Ben Austin
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Main Street Fitness, in downtown Houlton, recently broadened its staff size, by bringing back a position they have not held for  a couple of years.
    Joshua Holcombe, 22, originally from Connecticut, has signed on to the MSF staff as a personal trainer. Holcombe, who graduated from UMPI in May, will be helping the MSF customers with personal nutrition, weight loss, and strength programs. Holcombe will also help the gym by reaching out to, and working with, athletic groups in the area.
    “I’m really hoping that I can work with Houlton and Hodgdon high schools to work with their athletes, and give them a great edge,” explained Holcombe.
    MSF has not has a personal trainer since Tisha Harvey left the position a few years ago. Holcombe approached the Harveys while he was still a student at UMPI, looking to fill the position.
    “We kind of missed not having someone … of course customers had been asking and also missed having someone there that can do programs and training, one-on-one type things,” explained owner Michelle Harvey.
    So far Holcombe has primarily set up programs for adults who are looking for strength training, proper workout technique, and weight loss tips. Although he is open to working with everyone, Holcombe says that younger customers are less eager to ask for help with their workouts, but that he enjoys working with all customers who are looking for it.
    “It’s been interesting. Every day is a different experience, meeting lots of people, finding out their stories, helping them when I can. It’s fun,” said Holcombe.  
    Holcombe insists that there are people in Houlton who don’t know the different ways a fitness program could help them, by keeping them healthy, slowing down the aging process and even lowering medical costs.
    “It’s really not as much work as people seem to think,” explained Holcombe.