NEWS

Fitness center reopens with even more ways to be healthy

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 1/11/23

Infinity Fitness & Wellness is testament that a business can survive after being forced to shutdown for an extended period because of Covid and reopen even stronger. More accurately Jennifer …

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NEWS

Fitness center reopens with even more ways to be healthy

Posted

Infinity Fitness & Wellness is testament that a business can survive after being forced to shutdown for an extended period because of Covid and reopen even stronger. More accurately Jennifer Mello, who has owned the business for 20 years, is the force behind Infinity that held its grand reopening Saturday.

“You’ve kept me in business over some pretty tough years,” she said to her staff and members who were joined by elected officials and friends for the ceremony at 1201 Post Road in the Norwood neighborhood.

Mello opened the fitness studio in July of 2019. Less than nine months later, she was forced to close like thousands of business with the statewide Covid shutdown. Like other businesses, she questioned what would happen to all she had invested and whether she would reopen. It was about six months before former governor Gina Raimondo allowed fitness centers and gyms to reopen, but that was short lived. In total, Mello estimates the doors were closed for about nine months.

But that didn’t mean Mello abandoned her members or her staff. She kept up classes and training virtually. She researched every means possible to ensure she could keep her staff and build for the future.

“I applied for all the grants I could,” she said during a brief break from the reopening festivities introducing new features and products of the studio including Dottie’s Delights, Arbonne® nutritional and skin care products and demonstrations of the Bemer® electromagnetic mat which improves circulation by integrative health practitioner Laura Ely who is based in Connecticut and is available by appointment at the center. With a staff of 12, Infinity also offers personal fitness training, massage, Reiki and cupping treatments as well as yoga, zumba, and pilates classes.

Dottie’s Delights, run by Laureen Blackburn, is a healthy protein line of muffins, granola, overnight oats, hummus and more that Infinity is introducing. Most products are gluten and vegan free. Everything is homemade with no preservatives added.

Additional information will be coming to the Infinity website with an ordering system featuring a large assortment of protein snacks, overnight oats, salads, and prepared meals. 

Mello’s persistence paid off during the depths of the pandemic. She received a variety of grants enabling her to expand the center. More than once she thanked her landlord for his understanding and working with her and the loyalty of her members and staff.

“We need people to stay healthy. It’s always great to see local businesses thrive,” said Rep. David Bennett. “It’s wonderful to see a business like this,” echoed Ward 2 Councilman Jeremy Rix.

Mayor Frank Picozzi presented Mello with a citation and arriving later in the morning Rep. Camille Vella Wilkinson read a proclamation that will be read into the record of the House of Representatives.

With so much in place and forward momentum, Mello believes she may even be able to take a vacation soon. She smiles with the thought of it.

Guaranteed, she won’t be away from Infinity Fitness & Wellness for all that long. She epitomizes the center she runs.

   

Infinity, gym, health

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