New Local Gym Focuses on Kettlebells, Healthy Living

Welcome to Business Owner of the Week, a weekly column where we get to know a local business owner a little better. Are you a business owner who would like to be featured in this column? E-mail  krista@patch.com. This week we're chatting with Mike and Amanda Perry, husband and wife owners of Skill of Strength.

Q: When did you open your business and why?

A: We started our business in 2010, renting space at another gym and traveling to client's homes. Next, we built a studio in our home and trained clients there for a year. As we got busier, we wanted more space to give us the ability to offer adult group training, kettlebell workshops and group training, and sports performance training (for high school and middle school).

Q: Why did you choose Chelmsford for an additional location? What do you like about it?

A: We love the communities of Chelmsford and Westford so when we saw that there was space available in the mill building we knew it would be a perfect location. We were looking for something different than your typical warehouse gym atmosphere and we love the unique look and feel of the mill.

Q: Describe the atmosphere of SOS. Why do you think clients choose it over other establishments?

A: We already have a wonderful community of clients at Skill of Strength, ages 13 to 70+. It's a friendly atmosphere where people constantly encourage one another. We train like athletes and focus on strength and overall health. We are located in the mill building with raised ceilings and old beams. We have large windows so clients can see outside as they are working out and all amenities are clean and comfortable.

Q: What advice would you give to a first-time client?

A: Don't be nervous to come check out a group class or try a few personal training sessions. No one is judging you. We're all there to work hard and get stronger. That said, it's important to learn how to move well before adding too much weight or volume into your training. At SOS we provide evaluations for our members. We give individual attention to each client in group training and we emphasize the basics.

Q: Do you have a favorite class to teach?

A: We love teaching the IGNITE. hardstyle kettlebell classes as we see clients make amazing improvements in relatively short amounts of time when they train with kettlebells correctly.