Saturday, June 2, 2012 10:09 PM EDT

By DIANE CHURCH Staff writer

PLAINVILLE Although its called A/M Fitness, Plainvilles newest fitness center has workout sessions from early morning to evening.

Michael Harland, a 31-year-old local resident and single dad who previously lived in Bristol, decided to go into business for himself after working for a large corporate workout facility and a smaller, more personalized fitness center.

I decided to open a place with the things I like and eliminate the things I dont like, he said. This is what fitness is to me.

The center, located at 125 West Main St., has TRX suspension bands, resistance bands, dumbbells, medicine balls, ropes and ViPRs, which are tubes of different sizes and weights. (The name stands for vitality, performance and reconditioning). Each piece of equipment can be used for a variety of different exercises.

Harland said he thinks in terms of functionality when designing workouts for himself and his clients.

It has to relate to the way we actually move, we said.

Because of this, there are no exercise machines, elliptical trainers or treadmills at A/M Fitness. When asked about cardio, Harland looped a resistance band around his waist and to a hook on the floor. This way, he could run backwards and forwards, getting a cardio workout and work his core at the same time.

There are now an average of seven to eight people at each session, Harland said, but he could accommodate up to 16. They work out in smaller groups according to their fitness level. Exercises can be modified for people according to their ability.

Read more from the original source:
Plainvilleâs newest fitness center aims for personal approach