Dunn and Cavender open new fitness center

Tim Cavender and Lisa Dunn, co-owners of 216 Fitness, will host its grand opening celebration on Jan. 13. Photo credit: Kevin Kopanski.

After a year of planning, business partners Lisa Dunn and Tim Cavender—both professionally certified fitness instructors and Cleveland Heights residents—have opened a new strength-training fitness facility. Their new business, 216 Fitness, aims to help individuals build a fun, supportive community, empowered by strength and confidence. Located at 1415 South Belvoir Blvd., at the corner of Mayfield Road in South Euclid, 216 Fitness plans its grand opening celebration for Saturday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Heights residents may know Dunn as the former owner of Revive, the fair trade boutique that had operated on Lee Road since 2006, but closed in April 2017.

While operating Revive, Dunn developed health issues that she sought to relieve through a strength-training regimen. This, in turn, led her to become a fitness trainer at the Cleveland Heights Community Center, where she met Cavender, director of personal training services, who has a degree in exercise physiology from Cleveland State University. 

The two soon realized that they both have a like-minded philosophy to wellness: a thoughtful, gentle approach. Both focus on helping clients achieve a higher quality of life through strategic progress, with an intensity that is challenging for every fitness level. Workouts are tailored to fit an individual’s needs and exercises can be modified to make them accessible for all levels.

“We specialize in a welcoming, inclusive, non-intimidating approach that often appeals to those who may be newer to personal fitness or need a new introduction,” said Dunn. “Many of our clients feel stronger within a few weeks. They’re often surprised at how far they’ve come."

The owners held a soft opening on Nov. 20, and since then have worked to transform the former 7-Eleven storefront into a light-filled, comfortable studio, with plenty of parking, and easy accessibility for clients.

Dunn said the mission of 216 Fitness is to offer high-quality personal training that is also affordable. Group and semi-private sessions are offered six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center offers budget-conscious rates with annual and monthly plans. 

“Clients enjoy the wide array of innovative circuit-style training equipment [that] we offer,” said Cavender. “The workouts are creative, effective and fun.”

The low-impact workouts incorporate a cardiovascular routine that uses traditional and non-traditional equipment, such as a suspension trainer, slider, barbells, deadlifts, kettlebells and stretch bands.

Although 216 Fitness is new, Dunn and Cavender have cultivated many loyal clients.

“I am far stronger and more functional now than I’ve been in a number of years,” said Terry Lilian Segal, 51, of Cleveland Heights. “Both Tim and Lisa have helped me to work through old injuries and limitations, and to prevent new ones from cropping up. They treat everyone with equal attention and care, monitoring each person for safety and maximum benefits, while also bolstering each person’s sense of accomplishment. Their skills and personalities [complement] each other.”

Curt Coker, 61, also of Cleveland Heights, follows a strength-training fitness routine recommended by Cavender in order to prevent pain in multiple joints. “When I first worked with Tim, I had disabling pain in my lower back. I also have problems with my knees, wrists and shoulders. After listening to a description of my problems, Tim recommended a set of exercises that nearly eliminated my pain. I felt a lot of relief from the very first session. What he recommended worked better than what my doctor suggested.”

For more information, visit 216fit.com. To set up a consultation, call 216-532-3348 or e-mail info@216fit.com.

Andrea C. Turner

Andrea C. Turner is the owner of ACT One Communications, a marketing communications consulting firm based in Cleveland Heights. 216 Fitness is a client.

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Volume 11, Issue 1, Posted 9:48 AM, 01.03.2018