Photo courtesy Tellis Rodgers
Bfaast Fitness, located two blocks from Florida A&M’s campus at 1517 S. Adams St, aims to be much more than just a fitness center.
The owner, Patrick Nelson, graduated from Liberty University with a masters in counseling.
Bfaast is an abbreviation for Building Fundamentals for Academic Athletic Success Training. It was first established to be a fitness center for professional and college athletes, with the purpose of teach healthy eating, help them with their academics, and get them in shape physically.
Nelson eventually opened up his gym to the public due to many inquiries for personal training and dieting plans.
“We are accessible to all fitness levels as well as professional, from working moms to college students, and we are affordable,” said Nelson.
The personal training workout rates are $20 a session for college students and $30 for other professions. You can purchase up to 12 sessions at a time, with the available dates and times Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
“The atmosphere at Bfaast is extremely welcoming and I have established many relationships with the people I’ve worked out alongside of,” said FAMU alumna Michelle Marva Johnson. “Not only have I lost about 30 pounds this year, but I’ve made a total transformation that has impacted my mental health.”
Nelson also has a 50 Day Challenge which is a $60 group training for 50 days, sessions times ranging from Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. This also includes a meal plan fit for your body, with foods that can be found in the FAMU cafeteria.
“Bfaast made me want fitness to be a part of my lifestyle,” said FAMU health science major Olivia James. “Once I started to see my body change it became an addiction for me.”
The first Bfasst center was located on Oakland Avenue and Nelson was forced to relocate due to the building of new homes. This past January Nelson opened at the location on South Adams Street, so it would be easier for college students to commute.
Bfaast is in the process of remodeling the front lobby of the fitness center to sell healthy smoothies, a student study area with free Wi-Fi to complete school assignments before or after a workout, and a copy room for students.
Nelson wants Bfaast to be more than a gym. He wants it to be a one-stop shop, a place where students can work out, learn about their health, and stay focused on school.
Nelson plans to expand the Bfaast brand by opening a second fitness center in a larger city.