RUSSELL, Ky. — Firm Fitness at Bellefonte Pavilion, the new community fitness facility at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (OLBH) is now open on the ground floor of Bellefonte Pavilion.

The facility marks the first business to open at Bellefonte Pavilion (2000 Ashland Drive) since OLBH purchased the one-time Ashland Oil Petroleum Building for $2.8 million in 2008.

“Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital is pleased to be able to make this announcement,” Kevin Halter, OLBH CEO, said. “Firm Fitness is already one of the finest fitness facilities in the entire region and plans are already underway for further expansion to enhance the experience for those who join. This is a logical step to improve the health status in our community which will help prevent chronic illnesses by allowing the community to improve their fitness. This opening also marks the beginning of Bellefonte Pavilion’s new life as a logical extension for the hospital and its campus.”

OLBH previously operated the Human Motion Vitality Center as both a community fitness and rehab facility.

Now that Firm Fitness has opened, the Vitality Center will be utilized solely for rehabilitation services.

“By having a dedicated facility for community fitness and wellness, we’re able to offer so much more at Firm Fitness,” Ryan Arnett, OLBH lead exercise physiologist, said.

Firm Fitness offers personal training services. “We can help make this year’s resolution stick,” Arnett said. “With a personal trainer, you have someone to help you look and feel the way you want to and to keep you on track to meet that goal.”

The facility offers a large variety of cardiovascular equipment, a dedicated weight lifting area, two racquetball courts, a half basketball court and male and female sauna and steam rooms.

Firm Fitness also includes a dance studio for classes such as Zumba and aerobics.

“Firm Fitness is an important start for us at Bellefonte Pavilion,” Halter said. “We appreciate Bon Secours continuing to invest in our hospital and this community and I also thank the hospital’s foundation for making Bellefonte Pavilion possible.”

The $2.8 million purchase of Bellefonte Pavilion was made possible through a $1 million allocation from the OLBH Foundation, the largest single gift in the Foundation’s 21-year history.

Firm Fitness is open Monday through Thursdays from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays from 5:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Firm Fitness at (606) 324-0339.