Exploring Life & Business with Tracie Thompson of 4Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracie Thompson

Hi Tracie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started personal training as a part-time job back in 2000 while I was living in NY and painting houses was my primary job. At first personal training was a fun, interesting way to make a little extra money and balance out the slow season painting houses. It didn’t take long before I fell in love with guiding people to positive exercise experiences. In 2002, pregnant with my second child, I decided to make personal training my full-time job. I worked as a full-time personal trainer in NY at a big box gym until I moved to Florida in Dec 2006, where I continued working at a big box gym until I was able to open my own personal training studio, 4Fitness in March of 2014.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely been bumpy. Through the years, there have been many challenges, but I would say the most consistent challenge has been my own weight and body size. The fitness industry is full of stigmas both for the customer and for providers. There is an expectation for many that trainers should have ideal bodies. This particular challenge is what lead to me writing the book “I Love My Body What’s Your Problem?” which was published in December of 2019. I have taken great care to create a body-positive, non-judgemental environment at 4Fitness.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about 4Fitness?
4Fitness is a judgment-free boutique fitness studio. We welcome all levels of ability and all body sizes and shapes. To help create a positive body environment, there are no mirrors in the studio other than the one in the bathroom. The studio is private. There is only one session in the studio at a time. Personal training is approached from a holistic point of view that emphasizes “joint-friendly” exercise and workout programs designed for progress – no matter where you are starting. 4Fitness has put a unique twist on group fitness classes. As a boutique fitness studio, our classes are intentionally small. Our classes have always had six people or less. Small classes give me the ability to customize classes and really monitor the client’s ability to do the exercises safely and effectively. Classes are taught with options to modify exercises for different exercise levels and joint issues. Our classes are really more like small group personal training. Another focus at 4Fitness is fun. We are putting the fun in fitness through the experience itself and through the modalities that we offer. FLY Bungee is a unique, fun cardio and strength workout. Aerial Yoga provides flexibility and fun in the air with the use of fabric hammocks. Our newest offering is the Surfset. A quick fun class focused on core strength and balance.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I fell in love with St. Petersburg right away. I love the diversity of people. I love the support for small businesses. The city itself has so much to offer between the beaches, downtown, parks, the restaurants, the food, the museums, the art, the murals. I don’t think I could narrow it down to any one thing because it really is all of it together. My husband once asked me where I would want to live if we won a huge lotto and could live anywhere, and I said I wouldn’t want to leave St. Pete.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1433 4th Street South St. Petersburg 33701 (hours are by appointment)
• Email: tracie@iam4fitness.com
• Website: https://www.iam4fitness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4fitnessstpete
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iam4fitness