Fitness and health are big issues to the GLBTI community. Recent reports have shown that this demographic has some of the highest rates of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, smoking and other less-than-healthy pursuits. This is something Darnell Stephenson would like to see changed. Owners of Urban Fitness and Wellness Center, Stephenson and her partner Julie Frey are serious about healthy living. “We will become politically stronger when we lead healthier lives. Julie and I want to be a part of that transition,” notes Stephenson.

Stephenson is 44 years old and has been in the fitness industry for the last 10 years. “I was in physical therapy after a serious accident 12 years ago”, she notes. “It really helped me through some difficult times. This got me focused on my own personal health and wellness and opened a new career for me.” Many will remember Darnell Stephenson as the friendly, upbeat bartender from FACES’ video bar for 17 years. “I love FACES, Terry and the whole family. Leaving last September to pursue this business was tough, but I realized I was getting older and those late nights just weren’t working for me any more.” She notes however that she would love to make a future guest appearance at FACES. “I still run into old bar customers. Brian McMartin and Terry Sidie are now Urban Fitness clients too! I do sometimes miss it, but fitness is now my focus.”

Now fully engaged in the business of health and wellness, Stephenson and Fray have created a welcoming environment at Urban Fitness. Entering the building, one is immediately greeted with a sense of warmness and relaxation. Cool earth-tones accented with tastefully placed artwork and fixtures supplement soft background music—and an array of exercise equipment that is quite impressive. “We have Nautilus equipment, leg press / hack squat, a peck deck, lap pull-down machine, cable crossover, stationary bikes, treadmills, elliptical and free weights with benches”, she notes. Urban Fitness also features a private massage center with therapists on call. “We are a full-service fitness center. We also specialize in nutrition counseling, Reiki and energy movement.”

Personal training is the key to a successful program, according to Stephenson. “Both Julie and I spend time up front with our clients. We assess their needs on a case-by-case basis. It’s very individual.” Needs assessment and goals are followed by a custom-designed program to improve one’s strength. “Your body begins to atrophy at age 26. Your metabolic rate is reduced and you lose muscle mass. It has been shown how important it is to regain this and maintain a healthy bone structure as you age.” For some, this involves simple workouts while others require more comprehensive solutions. “For most people it’s more about fitness than nutrition. Some come here just to use the equipment”, she notes. But for many, the key is a personal touch.

“Julie and I are a force to be reckoned with. We’re tough”, Stephenson says. “But we’re not extremists. We want our clients to feel taken care of—from the environment to their health needs”. Personal training is not for everyone, she notes. At $45 per hour, most clients are in their late 30’s or older. “We are planning to offer limited memberships at $35 per month”, she notes, “but we want to keep the business small and intimate. We want to offer hour-long one-on-one techniques and strength training in a personal way.” This also means a commitment from the client as well. “A balanced life is the way to go. Eat well, exercise and incorporate wellness into your life. Overdoing it is not the way to go. A good program is about balance, not excess”, she says.

Yet another GLBTI-owned business with an extremely diverse clientele, Stephenson claims she would have it no other way. “We are everybody’s business. We are gay-owned, but half our clientele are straight. Progressive, accepting people simply gravitate toward us.” Stephenson takes pride in the demographic breakdown between men and women at Urban Fitness. “When we started, it was mostly women. Now it has shifted and we’re serving a 60% male clientele. This is such a positive thing!” she says. “We love what we do. I have always loved the service industry—this is why I was a bartender for so long. In fact, during workouts some of my clients joke that I was nicer as a bartender!”

Looking forward, Stephenson and Fray are in the business for the long haul. “We want to do more workshops for the community. More nutrition experts, outside trainers coming in.”, she says. “But where we truly excel is as personal trainers. It’s all about the individual touch. This is the most important factor to a successful program and a healthy lifestyle”.

Urban Fitness and Wellness Center is located at 2525 J Street, Sac., 916.492.2525 www.urbanfitnessandwellnesscenter.com or darnellstephenson@sbcglobal.net