ELKTON — The third letter in the name of Ray Badia’s exercise site is a dead giveaway.
The "T" in "The Fitness Place," the moniker for Badia’s facility in the Shen-Elk Plaza at the north end of town, clearly resembles a cross. And, as Badia boldly explains, what you see is what you get.
"We don’t just talk the talk," said Badia, 52, a Rye, N.J., native who, along with wife Laura, has owned the gym for more than five years. "We walk the walk."
Ricky Harris, 46, a contract welder from Fountain Inn, S.C., and regular at the gym, sees perks from Badia’s building that stem from faith: a friendly, laid-back setting where guests come focused.
"A lot of gyms are ‘meat markets,’" said Harris, referring to places he sees as more geared to socializing. "I look for a place where everybody just works out."
Spiritual Marathon
Spiritually speaking, Badia’s walk began more than 20 years ago, when Badia, fresh from placing fourth in a world bodybuilding tournament at Atlantic City, N.J., allowed that he misplaced his priorities.
"I was asked in an interview what the key to my success was, and I didn’t give God any credit," Badia said.
Some soul-searching steered Badia toward a deeper faith and, ultimately, into the ministry. Badia, who has worked in the fitness trade since he was 12, also pastored a church in Spartanburg, S.C., before opening his present gym.
At The Fitness Place, morals adhere to a higher level: no alcohol, smoking and, especially, no foul language.
"A few years ago we had to ban one person for bad language," Badia said. "He cleaned it up, came back and he had no more problems with that."
Writing On The Wall
Badia’s approach of positive reinforcement includes writings on the wall: specifically, signs that urge members to stay the course with their regimen.
Sadly, says Badia, "most people take better care of their vehicles than they do their bodies."
Regulars at The Fitness Place represent a mosaic of society: blue-collar, white-collar and, not surprisingly, clergy. Each applauds the squeaky-clean image of the place.
Rick Workman, a chemical operator at Merck and a member of Elkton Town Council, believes that a Christian setting gives the gym a "hometown" atmosphere and a refreshing lack of machismo that he thinks plagues too many workout centers.
"I’m not putting down other gyms, but there’s no competing here," said Workman, 53, who grew up just down the road.
Eric Lafferty, 28, a maintenance technician at the nearby Massanutten Resort Water Park, understands the values that Badia preaches. Lafferty grew up the son of a pastor.
"You don’t have people being ‘macho’ here," said Lafferty, from Shenandoah. "I like hanging out here."
Herbert "Morgan Kinney, 86, from the neighboring Solsberg community and a member of The Fitness Place, especially appreciates his gym’s upbeat climate. Kinney, a semiretired pastor, evokes scripture to describe what he calls an appealing atmosphere there.
"The Bible says ‘a merry heart doeth good,’" said Kinney. "This place is merry."
