From a relationship forged in the Iron Works on Georgia Southern's campus, F.I.T. Statesboro was born and has thrived since opening a year ago.
    An acronym for Focused Individ-ualized Training, F.I.T. Statesboro recently expanded its operations by acquiring additional space next door to its original location on Northside Drive West. Owners Skyler Pyles and Jason Wolfe felt the time was right to expand when its neighbor Gailey Trophy moved to Woodland Square.
    "In a private setting, we are able to provide different levels of training, depending on personal need," Pyles said. "We have become very busy, and felt the additional space was warranted to maintain the private training experience."
    Both Pyles and Wolfe are highly qualified trainers with master's degrees in Kinesiology/Exercise Science from Georgia Southern. 
    "I was doing an internship for my master's degree when I met Skyler," Wolfe said. "Skyler is an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Georgia Southern, so he spends a lot of his time at the Iron Works working with athletes. We became friends through work. When I finished my degree, we decided to open the business. I am here full-time, while Skyler is part-time as he continues his position with Georgia Southern."
    Pyles is certified with the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He is also certified as a Sports Performance Coach through the United States Weightlifting Association. Pyles also serves as the head strength and conditioning coach for the men's soccer, women's volleyball, women's basketball, and men's baseball teams at Georgia Southern.
    Wolfe is certified with the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He is also certified as a Sports Performance Coach through the United States Weightlifting Association.
    "I think what makes us unusual is that we offer a variety of training modalities to suit a wide range of clients," Wolfe said. "We create specific programs for a multitude of people ranging from special needs to sports performance. With sport specific training, we provide student athletes with proper techniques and mechanics to improve strength and explosiveness through plyometrics and barbell training/olympic weight lifting. The training will definitely help transition a high school athlete to the demands of college athletics."
    Cheri Wagner was particularly interested in a sports performance program for her 14-year-old son Alex who plays on a Classic I soccer team based out of Savannah.
    "We met Skyler when the Georgia Southern soccer team went to Europe," Wagner said. "I knew they were planning on opening F.I.T, and we were just waiting. Our son plays high level soccer, and has aspirations to play soccer in college. We knew that he needed a competitive edge. So, Alex began strength and agility training with Skyler, and it has definitely improved his game which has shown on the field."
    Wolfe said personal training doesn't have to be one-on-one, but can be accomplished in a small group setting as well. Statesboro resident Susan Brown trains regularly with a friend, and likes the environment created at F.I.T.
    "I started working with Jason when they opened last June," she said. "I train alongside one of my best friends, and we both feel stronger and have more energy. I like the way that Jason has us do something a little different each time which makes me feel like I have accomplished something when I am done. They put tremendous focus on technique, making sure that every thing you do is done with the appropriate technique so as to avoid injury, and that is very important to me. I don't feel like I am on my own in a gym trying to get into shape."
    Pyles said in addition to the actual training that is done, their client's nutritional habits are also evaluated.
    "Most people have a goal in mind when they come to us," he said. "You cannot ignore the nutritional component in trying to achieve that goal. That has to be addressed as well."
    Lisa Lee also began training with F.I.T when they opened, and likes the personalized program that has been created for her.
    "I train in a group with others, but I feel the program targets my personal goals which are to work on weight loss and tone," she said. "I have problems with my back, and Jason has designed a program which allows me to strengthen my back and make it better. He is very careful to make sure that what I do does not compromise my health while maximizing what I can do towards improving my own fitness."
    Additional information about F.I.T. Statesboro can be obtained from their website www.fitstatesboro.com.