John and Kayla Pasquale believe that gyms are places that can build community.
The couple hopes to immerse themselves further in the Covington community with their new gym, Southside Strength Company.
“It really is a community-driven, family-oriented spot and we’re just really lucky and really blessed to be here,” Kayla said.
Southside Strength Co., located at 319 Madison Ave., opened last October. Since then, the gym has seen a steady stream of clients looking for private training, small group training or dietary programming.
“We train a lot of high performers in the real world and our philosophy of training is performance strength training, which kind of covers all the goals that someone normally would have, whether it be longevity, to feel better, to be in better shape, to rehab an injury,” John said.
The Pasquales are no strangers to the local fitness industry. John first got his start in the business across the Licking River in Newport at NewCov Crossfit.
Last week, the City of Covington held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate Southside Strength’s opening and the transformation of one of the city’s historic buildings.
“We’re right here in the inner-city, right here near Fourth and Madison and this building has turned over and it’s beautiful,” said Covington Vice Mayor Ron Washington.
Washington also mentioned that the City of Covington was able to assist Southside Strength financially. Back in February, the Covington Commission approved a $6,000 rent subsidy, which reimburses a business for up to half of its monthly rent.
The interior of Southside Strength is divided into two: one side for training and the other for Pilates. The training side features an array of fitness equipment you’d find in a regular commercial gym, such as dumbbells, kettlebells, squat racks, benches, bumper plates and treadmills. It also features more atypical equipment, such as multiple Keiser Infinity Series Functional Trainers, that allow gym-goers to train various muscle groups using cables. The machine’s weight can be adjusted digitally.
Southside Strength offers three types of group training packages: strength-focused, conditioning-focused and a hybrid of the two. The gym also offers semi-private training, where participants work with a coach alongside a small group of people. One-on-one private training sessions are included in the gym’s premium package. Earlier classes generally kick off at 5:15 a.m.; later classes begin at 5:30 p.m.
Regarding location, John said their building at 319 Madison Ave. was at the “epicenter” of their client base.
“We have realized how great this location is based on our clients and our clientele being so close to the city of Covington but also Newport, downtown Cincinnati,” John said.
Southside Strength is housed in the former Covington Power Building located directly across the street from the historic Trinity Episcopal Church. It was constructed in 1929, according to Kenton County property records. It includes a parking lot, rooftop terrace and is minutes from downtown Cincinnati.
“We knew it was the right space size-wise, but really character-wise, it reminds us of an old gymnasium,” John said.
The building is where John and Kayla continue to raise their own community, one based on fitness and family.