PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — What started as Renee Chalou’s personal health journey almost 10 years ago has evolved into one of the more unique health and wellness businesses in Aroostook County.
While most people are still sleeping at 5 a.m. a group of exercisers gather several days a week at that hour for group exercise at LiveWell United, the fitness studio Chalou, an Easton native, opened in 2012.
Zumba, “P90x,” cardio kickboxing, pilates and yoga are some of the classes that draw in as few as five or more than 40 to LiveWell United, with the reward of the intensive exercises and the camaraderie, Chalou said.
“People want to be healthy and they like to have fun, and as humans, we like to do things together. Group fitness appeals to that social side of us,” Chalou said.
“I have a lot of people who come into class 30 minutes early just because they want to see their friends.”
After a five-year run on North Street, on May 1 LiveWell United starts at its new location, at a slightly smaller but better fitting space on Industrial Street, complete with a kitchen, Chalou said.
As young and old rural Mainers face the challenges of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, group fitness activities like those at LiveWell United are one more choice people have to get healthier.
Chalou, a mother of three, first discovered Zumba, a dance fitness class, as an exercise that worked for her.
“I used to be overweight and I was a closet smoker and I was unhappy. I decided to take control of my life. That was before there was a fitness boom in Aroostook County. There really wasn’t a lot of support for getting fit and healthy. I did it on my own and discovered a lot of things about myself, and I wanted to share that.”
Today, Chalou’s business serves both fitness enthusiasts and people who “have a significant amount of weight to lose,” with classes that meet people where in they are.
“Our classes are very individualized. Men and women and teenagers. All our classes are open for ages 13 and up.” The company also has a program for young girls ages 7 to 12 that combines group exercise with empowerment activities.
“LiveWell is very unique in that it’s not a gym and we have something we like to call a ‘judgement free zone,’” Chalou said. “People of all shapes and sizes and fitness abilities can join us.”
The fitness center relies on mostly regular customers; people can pay $10 for one class, $55 for 10 classes or $85 for monthly memberships. “It’s been very sustainable thus far. And with this new move we’re making, there’s definitely a potential for growth,” Chalou said.
