Fitness center gaining following in Sparta

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA — Fitness fads and the people who partake in them notoriously come and go.

Brian Hoover, owner of Inspire Fitness in Sparta, has managed to create a staying power going on three years that comes with a group of committed and passionate patrons.

Because Hoover played many sports as a child and while attending Lenape Valley High School, he is no stranger to keeping fit.

Today at 44 years old, he still dabbles in his favorite one, baseball by training local players. But his success stems from a time in his 30’s when he lost perspective and life got in the way.

“Ten years ago I made my own body transformation and lost 60 pounds. I had bad eating habits and got up to 240 pounds," Hoover said. "That’s when I changed my life and found the power of nutrition.”

Prior to Inspire, Hoover owned a commercial landscaping business for 16 years. He envisioned his fitness business while sitting on his lawnmower.

“I wasn’t living life the way I wanted to, but I had to become better first. It took seven years to build confidence and face my fears before I could move forward,“ he said.

Hoover credits his father when telling his story.

“My dad had this gift that he saw greatness in everyone." Hoover said. "That’s what we do at Inspire, we motivate people to be the best they can be by using exercise as a vehicle to better nutrition.”

Inspire Fitness is not a traditional gym but rather a results-driven one that helps people achieve optimal health goals through large group training and individual mentoring. It draws a diverse group of clients ranging in age from 25 to 74, both male and female.

Hoover is also grateful to his partner Cathie Homeijer with whom he started the business. Together they work side-by–side managing Inspire by communicating with clients and teaching the popular 45-minute boot camp classes.

They have become known as a very effective duo.

“It’s all here. All you have to do is show up, and they get you motivated,” said Kevin Faria, a two-year Inspire client.

Also on the roster is TRX, yoga and spin classes, plus nutrition meetings every Tuesday and Wednesday.

For $159 a month, clients can take an unlimited amount of classes. For anyone interests in joining, Inspire offers a free week trial of training before signing up.

Inspire Fitness is also well-known in Sparta for its ‘Biggest Winner Challenge,” a competition open to members and non-members that runs twice a year over a six–week period. Teams compete to lose the most amount of body fat. The grand prize is $2,500. During the challenge, participants do three bootcamps each week, attend nutrition meetings and get weighed in on accountability Fridays.

Hoover said the average weight loss is 12 to 15 lbs. and the most was up to 30 lbs.

“We cater to a lot of people at different levels. Some people we just have to get them off processed foods,” Hoover said. “Our motto is inspiring people through a positive mindset, nutrition and proper exercise.”

Kim Arapkiles, Toni Corbin, and Stacey Korger make-up a team and started the Biggest Winner Challenge April 14.

“I put on jeans yesterday that I couldn’t wear a few weeks ago," Arapkiles said. "I am watching what I am eating also, but this is like no other gym. You can get in and out in 45 minutes, and [Hoover] sends you an inspirational email everyday."

“Our clients have amazing stories and have driven our business. It’s not about the physical inspiring, they work hard so they can live their ultimate life,” said Hoover. “Everyone is happy. You have to smile when you walk in.”