90 days to make it a lifestyle

21 days to create a habit, 90 days to make it a lifestyle. How a rec center trainer turned her four-car garage into a gym, and why the Aussie Pro Runner is a station in every class.

Featuring Kathy Lyons, 2190 Fitness, LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio

When the rec center where Kathy Lyons trained her clients shut down, her first thought was not about herself.

"My first response was 'how can I still help my clients?'"

She went home and looked at her four-car garage. It held lawn equipment, all the tools a garage tends to collect, and one of the family cars. One side already had two large mats and a decent set of dumbbells that she used herself. She stood there and asked a question that turned into a business.

"I said to myself, what do you think?"

Building 2190 Fitness, one weekend at a time

The next day she started moving things around. Then she kept going.

"Each day that went by I began preparing for the next step to at least make half of the garage a gym. I ordered an outdoor shed, called Junk King to pick up old cabinets and such that I tore out of the garage."

While she cleared space, she was already calling her client list. Not to sell anything, just to tell them the plan.

"During this time, I began contacting clients that as soon as we are able to get up and running, we will, while social distancing and wearing masks. My clients' responses were 'yes, let's do it.'"

Today there is no half-garage compromise left. "Today the garage is one hundred percent the gym, 2190 Fitness, LLC." The equipment list has grown to match: a squat rack, bars, a hex bar, dumbbells from 5 to 65 pounds, benches, a functional trainer and pulley system, a leg extension and leg curl machine, bikes, and more.

The name is the part that tells you who she is. 21 days to create a habit, 90 days to make it a lifestyle.

The machine she found on the road

Kathy already owned a treadmill. She was not shopping. She was traveling, walked into a gym in Johnson City, Tennessee, and stepped onto an Aussie Pro Runner for the first time.

"Immediately after stepping on the Aussie Pro it felt different. Softer, less pounding the pavement. Due to the curvature of the base I felt more glute activation. Smoother. Quieter. And I could lengthen my gait once I got comfortable."

That was the whole decision. She had tried it, and trying it was enough.

How it lives in a working gym

The Aussie Pro Runner is not a machine that sits in the corner at 2190 Fitness. Kathy runs it as a station so that every client in a class gets time on it: warm-ups, intervals, and climbing at the end of leg day.

She hears the same reactions from the floor over and over.

"I overhear clients say, wow I feel my glutes. That is so smooth. I like how stable it feels. The handles are placed just right depending on height to keep my back safe."

She is also careful about how new people get started on it, which is worth repeating for any gym owner putting one on their floor.

"I am very clear with my clients that they need to step on the side panels before starting, since the Aussie Pro will begin once the person steps with their feet. No electricity needed."

That is the part people take a moment to absorb. The belt is driven by the runner, not a motor, so there is no power cord and no start button. You step on, you go, and when you slow down it slows with you. Her clients also like that the console still gives them numbers to chase. "They also like the screen that tracks time, steps and so much more."

Fifteen thousand steps a day, at 54

Beyond the classes, Kathy is on it every day herself, walking and doing intervals, on her way to 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day.

"My feet and knees are not achy as the impact is soft."

That is her experience rather than a claim we would make for anybody else, and it is one we hear often from customers who are managing mileage on older joints. The curved slatted deck feels different underfoot than pavement or a motorized belt, and for some people that difference is what lets them keep the volume up.

Who she would tell to buy one

Kathy's answer covers just about everyone: "Commercial gyms, business gyms, home use, and smaller gyms like mine."

And for anyone still on the fence, her advice is the same thing that convinced her.

"This treadmill is unique, and since I had the great opportunity to try it, there was no question on my end. If you don't have one nearby to try, just read the reviews posted on the Aussie website. You will be sold."

About 2190 Fitness, LLC

2190 Fitness, LLC is Kathy Lyons's gym in Cincinnati, Ohio, built out of a four-car garage when the rec center where she trained closed its doors. She is a mom of three, trains clients in small group classes, and named the gym for the idea she coaches by: 21 days to create a habit, 90 days to make it a lifestyle.

Full Q&A with Kathy Lyons

1) Take us back to the beginning: from personal trainer at your local rec center to turning your four-car garage into 2190 Fitness when everything shut down. What did that pivot take, and what does the gym look like today?

My first response was "how can I still help my clients"! So I went home and stared at my 4-car garage that had lawn equipment and all the tools a garage would have to include one of our cars and said to myself "what do you think?"

One side of the garage had two large mats and a good assortment of dumbbells for myself to use, so the next day I began moving items around and each day that went by I began preparing for the next step to at least make 1/2 of the garage a gym.

I ordered an outdoor shed, called Junk King to pick up old cabinets and such that I tore out of the garage.

During this time, I began contacting clients that as soon as we are able to get up and running, we will while social distancing and wearing masks!! My clients responses were "yes, let's do it"!

Today the "garage" is 100% the gym, 2190 Fitness, LLC. I have a squat rack, bars, hex bar, dumbbells from 5 to 65 lbs, benches, a functional trainer/pulley system, leg extension/leg curl machine, bikes and more.

2) You first saw the Aussie Pro Runner at a gym in Johnson City while traveling and knew right away it needed to be part of your gym. What was it about the machine in that moment, and what were you looking to add for your classes?

I already have a treadmill but immediately after stepping on the Aussie Pro it felt different. Softer (less pounding the pavement); due to the curvature of the base I felt more glute activation; smoother; quieter; and I could lengthen my gait once I got comfortable.

3) How does the Aussie Pro Runner actually live in your training week? The station in your classes, warm-ups, intervals, climbing at the end of leg day, and your own 15,000 to 20,000 steps a day. What do your clients say, and what has daily walking on it done for your feet and knees?

I overhear clients say, "wow I feel my glutes; that is so smooth; I like how stable it feels; the handles are placed just right depending on height to keep my back safe." I am very clear with my clients that they need to step on the side panels before starting, since the Aussie Pro will begin once the person steps with their feet. No electricity needed. They also like the screen that tracks time, steps and so much more.

4) Who would you recommend the Aussie Pro Runner to, and what would you say to another 54-years-young gym owner, or anyone on the fence, wondering if this machine is for them?

Commercial gyms, business gyms, home use and smaller gyms like mine.

This treadmill is unique and since I had the great opportunity to try it, there was no question on my end. If you don't have one nearby to try, just read the reviews posted on the Aussie website. You will be sold!!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a curved treadmill need electricity?

No. The Aussie Pro Runner is self-powered, so there is no cord and no outlet required. The belt moves because you move it. That is why Kathy can run it in a converted garage and why it works in spaces where running a power line would be a project of its own. The console runs independently and still tracks time, distance, and pace.

How do you safely get on a self-powered curved treadmill?

Step onto the side rails first, hold the handles, then place one foot on the belt and start walking. Because there is no motor, the belt only moves when your foot drives it, so there is no lurch and no speed setting to guess at. Kathy makes this part of her intro for every new client, and it is the single most useful thing to teach someone on their first go.

Is a curved treadmill worth it for a small gym or group classes?

It works well as a station in a rotation, which is how 2190 Fitness uses it. One machine serves a whole class because everyone cycles through, and it covers warm-ups, intervals, and finishers without any adjustment between users. There are no speed settings to reset between clients, which is what makes it practical in a class format.

Is a curved treadmill good for walking, not just running?

It is. Kathy walks on hers every day toward 15,000 to 20,000 steps. Because it is self-powered there is no minimum speed and no belt pulling you along, so the pace is entirely yours, and the magnetic resistance gives you somewhere to progress as you get stronger.

What does the Aussie Pro Runner cost?

The Aussie Pro Runner is $3,195, with free freight shipping in the continental US. Military, veterans, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers have a separate discount verified in the cart.