Living Free Gym, operated under the umbrella of Living Free Health and Fitness, has entered a bold new phase with a major expansion that nearly doubles its original size. Located at 301 Oxbow Avenue, Suite 2, the gym has grown from 3,700 square feet to a spacious 6,700 square feet, adding two attached 1,500-square-foot commercial units. The expansion marks a significant milestone for the organization and deepens its mission to provide wellness, community, and opportunity—particularly for individuals in recovery.
Shelley Poerio, Founder of Living Free Health and Fitness, said the expansion came together thanks to strong cooperation from fellow tenants in the building. “We were fortunate enough to have some of the tenants make very nice arrangements for us so that we could move next door,” she said. “They moved farther down in the complex, and that allowed us to grow into the two connected spaces. It’s really been a smooth and supportive transition.”
With the expansion came a thoughtful reevaluation of what members wanted most. The gym now includes a broader array of fitness equipment—both cardio and strength-based. Among the most requested additions were a hack squat machine and abductor/adductor machines, which are now available. Living Free also significantly increased its cardio inventory: ellipticals went from five to eight, treadmills grew from four to ten, and recumbent bikes increased from two to five.
Poerio said these upgrades are about more than convenience—they’re part of a growth strategy rooted in service. “We’ve heard from members who don’t like waiting for equipment. And that’s fair—we don’t want people to feel frustrated,” she said. “So this is our way of trying to get ahead of that now. We want Living Free Gym to be a place where people feel seen, valued, and supported in their health journey.”
The recumbent bikes are especially valuable for two of the gym’s key populations: seniors and individuals in early recovery. “Some people coming in aren’t quite ready to jump into high-intensity training, especially if they’re just beginning recovery or rebuilding strength,” she said. “The recumbent bikes are a gentle, non-intimidating entry point. They can just sit down and ease into movement.”
In addition to upgraded equipment, Living Free Gym is also working to expand its group fitness offerings. It currently offers SilverSneakers and general group fitness classes, but the goal is to offer even more variety—like yoga, aerobics, and Zumba. However, hiring certified instructors has been a challenge. “If anyone is certified and interested in leading classes, we’d love to talk with them,” Poerio said. “This is an open call.”
That same need for staffing applies to personal training. The gym currently has one trainer who operates on a flexible schedule and meets with clients by appointment. As her schedule fills, Poerio said Living Free would like to bring on additional trainers to meet different preferences. “Some members want a female trainer, some want a male trainer,” she noted. “We just want to be able to accommodate all our members’ needs.”
The gym also plans to expand its hours of operation as soon as additional staff are hired. Currently, the facility is open from 4:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends. But starting in mid-July, Living Free Gym hopes to extend weekday hours to 4:00 a.m. to midnight and shift weekend hours to 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. “We’re not going 24/7 right now,” Poerio explained. “Part of our mission is to be a therapeutic workplace, which means employing people, not replacing them with key fobs. That midnight to 4 a.m. window isn’t high-demand, so we think closing during that time makes sense for now.”
Staffing is at the heart of the gym’s larger mission. Much like the Living Free Cafe, Living Free Gym is built around the therapeutic workplace model. This means hiring people in recovery, many of whom are taking their first steps back into structured environments. “Service work is the in-between,” Poerio said. “It gives people who aren’t quite ready for a traditional job the chance to build routine, confidence, and accountability. And as we expand, we’re creating more of those opportunities.”
That focus on people extends to safety and oversight. While many gyms rely on remote monitoring or unstaffed hours, Living Free maintains in-person staffing throughout all operating hours. “Someone is always here when we’re open,” Poerio confirmed. “We want our members to feel safe and supported.”
To ensure full visibility across the expanded space, the gym added additional security cameras—at least four in each section—and installed a large monitor at the front desk so staff can watch all areas in real-time. There’s also a doorbell system that alerts staff if someone enters from the back entrance, and hourly bathroom checks are part of standard protocol. “We don’t ever want someone to be in distress and go unnoticed,” she said. “That’s part of our commitment to creating a clean, safe, and responsive environment.”
From the new equipment and longer hours to job creation and recovery support, the expansion of Living Free Gym is about much more than square footage. It’s about continuing to adapt to the community’s needs with heart and flexibility.
“We’re constantly looking at what needs to be done,” Poerio said. “If we see a problem, we try to fix it. If something changes, we adjust with it. That’s the beauty of Living Free—we’re here for the long haul, and we’re here to help people grow.”
