Redmond’s newest place to break a sweat is located downtown. Garage Fitness, at 215 SW Sixth St., was opened a couple months ago by Matt Richardson and offers a personalized exercise experience.

Richardson returned to Redmond three years ago after four years in Hawaii. Prior to that he had been in Central Oregon for more than 10 years. During that time he was a trainer, as well as working in hospitality and retail after injury made it difficult to train. But Richardson was driven to return to personal training after several years in hospitality because nothing was quite as rewarding for him than to help people get in better shape. He first began training in the mid-’90s, and aims to be certified by a different organization each year so that he can offer new things to his clients. Among some of the certifications he has gained include National Academy of Sports Medicine, Corrective movement, TRX Suspension training and Crossfit.

“I don’t want to target a specific group of people — I want to be available to everyone,” Richardson said.

One of the main things Richardson wants to offer is a personalized experience, especially in his small groups classes. He capped each class size to eight so that he could spend time with each person each class period. He also kept the sizes small so he could personalize each class’s curriculum based on who is in the class. This means there isn’t a set class description. But he does target certain fitness areas and body parts, which alternate during a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday class schedule. Saturday classes vary in time, but are free to members and the community.

“I don’t save any of the classes that I have held,” Richardson said. “I want to have to think about each person in each class and design each class based of what they need.”

The one on one training experience he offers is derived from his personal experience getting back into shape. After he was injured he stepped away from fitness and found everyday tasks becoming difficult. After having a “what am I doing?” type of epiphany he returned to the gym and regained mobility. He wants to offer that experience to his clients. He said that it’s essentially wired in him after so many years as a trainer to assess where a person may need to do some work.

“Other jobs I’ve had I didn’t feel any purpose,” Richardson said. “I want to find a way to help people and fitness is the only place I feel I can help people.”

Having returned to Central Oregon with his wife, Michelle, and nine year old son, Richardson wants to make a living as a trainer, but he doesn’t want to break the bank either. He set out with a goal to be affordable and personal, having been training out of his garage for the past two years. His rates, which he said are among the lowest in the area, are $129 a month for classes and 10 personal training sessions at $45 a session. The monthly class rate includes access to the gym. Richardson said it’s equivalent to a membership, of which he doesn’t offer because he wants to help each person that comes to Garage Fitness and he doesn’t think it’s fair to charge for something twice.

“I want to be affordable because I want to help people,” Richardson said.

Richardson hopes to eventually have enough clients to have his wife offer classes as well. Before returning to Central Oregon she offered beginner classes focused on introductory exercises for those who may be intimidated by larger gyms. The name Garage Fitness comes from Richardson’s goal to offer a comfortable atmosphere, like going into your own garage to work out. He said that he welcomes walk-ins but would prefer for new clients to schedule a free consultation. After he settles in, Richardson will create an open gym schedule based off requests from clients. He also said that if he grows enough to need more space he doesn’t want to expand, he would rather open another location so the class sizes could be kept small. Although he said he wouldn’t mind having separate rooms for weights and classes, but said that may be a ways out. Until then, Richardson will continue to host his small classes, with a special focus on each client who attends.

“I want to be here for a long time,” Richardson said. “I want to do this until I die and I want to be known as a place where people get good results.”

— Reporter, 541-548-2185, cbrown@redmondspokesman.com