Exercise studio helps families attain fitness goals

by Dan Holland

For Claire Monda, owner and instructor at Team Momentum Fitness, located at 1 Eagle Valley Plaza, opening her own fitness studio has been a lifelong dream. The location had a soft opening in July followed by an official grand opening and ribbon cutting on Aug. 29.

The lifelong dancer was an instructor at Creative Movement Center in Broadview Heights for 15 years since its founding.

“I’ve been involved in dance my whole life – I minored in dance at Ohio University, and then I taught during college and then taught part time at Creative Movement Center while still doing a 9-to-5 job,” explained Monda. “Then I began teaching fitness about four years ago after having my third child. I started getting very serious about it and began teaching group fitness. There was nothing else I wanted to do aside from teaching dance.”

Building a community within the community is an important aspect of the business, said Monda.

“I felt so passionate about the community that I was creating and realizing how much more than fitness this is all about,” she said. “It was about everyone supporting each other and getting excited about everyone’s growth, and it has a community feeling. And I really wanted to be able to focus on that in my own space.”

The center focuses around cycling, strength training and Pilates.

“We do cycle and strength training in which we have a focus on upper body and lower body; also including kids’ formats and a Pilates infusion class,” said Monda. “We have a fun class called ‘Savage 60’ that incorporates all three aspects; It includes 20 minutes on the bike, 20 minutes of full body lift and 20 minutes of Pilates infusion. It’s really fun.”

Group classes are a primary focus.

“We really focus on group classes because it helps build community, and realizing how quickly you can connect with people when you’re all struggling with something, you overcome it and then move onto the next – it’s a really powerful feeling,” said Monda. “It also helps create accountability. We’re all kind of invested in the journey and in each other.”

Monda, who lives in Hudson with her husband, Bob, and their children Eloise, Henry and George, said her family trains with her at the new business.

“Healthwise, there’s nothing more important than staying healthy in a place that is fun and doesn’t feel like a burden; it’s something people look forward to,” said Monda. “The excitement of finding your place to be your best self is a unique and special thing.”

Monda said the business caters to people of all different fitness levels.

“A lot of people think that because they haven’t attained a certain fitness level, they think they can’t, and that’s a huge thing,” she said. “Just because you haven’t done it before, doesn’t mean that you can’t, and it’s not scary. I meet you where you are. All levels are welcome and there’s a place here for all ages. It’s never too late or too early to start.”

“We’re seeing a lot people with families, or even empty nesters – we kind of get the full gamut,” she added. “This is my dream, and this is what I’ve always wanted to do, and I can’t believe I’m here.” ∞

Photo: Team Momentum Fitness Owner Claire Monda, pictured with her family, focuses on cycling, strength training and Pilates at her newly minted studio. Photo by Dan Holland.