Get Your Burn On
Broad Ripple Fit Club Turns 14
Writer / Seth Johnson
Photographer / Michael Durr
The staff at Broad Ripple Fit Club (BRFC) strives to provide each of its members with the best hour of their day when they step in the gym.
Life is hard, and we dont really have control over that, says Jessi Howald Edwards, director of communications at BRFC. What we can do is be a bright spot in your day and help you live life longer, happier, healthier and freely without disease. Were just trying to be a bright spot in your day, and I think people really feel that when they walk through the doors.
The club was started by Jeff Edwards in 2008. Having grown significantly after humble beginnings, BRFC now has about 300 members of varying skill levels who take part in two different programs: a CrossFit-style program known as BR Fit, and a bootcamp-style program known as BRX.
After Jeff started BRFC, the couple met at a bar in Broad Ripple. At the time he was looking to expand BRFC, and her father happened to have a space he was looking to rent out.
My father actually owns Howald Heating and Air Conditioning in Broad Ripple, Howald Edwards says. My [now] husband was looking to grow, and my dad wanted to rent out the space. I thought it was a terrible idea since we had just started dating.
Everything wound up working out, both for BRFC and for the couple, who are now married and run the gym together.
I had no idea when I grew up that I was going to be running a business with my husband, but here we are, Howald Edwards says.
In keeping with this theme of family, the BRFC team aims to give members a welcoming, supportive home to exercise and grow healthier together.
Its a place where everybody feels welcome, Howald Edwards says. I really pride ourselves in being a gym where nothing matters once you walk through the doors – your race, your gender, your sexual preference, how many dogs or cats you have, or whatever. When you get into the gym, its this community of people that come together and cheer each other on during the suffering workouts that youre doing.
Since becoming involved with the gym, she has come to cherish the bonds shes made with fellow gym members.
Ive been there for 10 years, she says. Some people are still there that started with me 10 years ago. My favorite part has got to be watching the relationships that start and grow at the gym, and watching someone come out of their shell that maybe didnt really have a place before.
When members leave BRFC each day, the owners ultimately hope they feel empowered, worthy and loved, while also reaping the rewards of a stronger, healthier body.
Its a place where everybody feels safe, Howald Edwards says. Its a place where everybody is welcome. The perks are that you look really good, lose weight and gain strength.
Broad Ripple Fit Club is located at 6542 Westfield Boulevard in Indianapolis. To learn more, visit brfitclub.com, or give them a call at 317-695-3175.
