Balance Personal Training Studio

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Mountain Brook personal trainer Micheal Meadows grew up the son of a coal miner and a hospital janitor in Walker County. He was the oldest of eight children with who he shared a single bedroom.

Today, he owns his own personal training studio in Mountain Brook Village, which is thriving with over 60 clients.

“It is truly a real accomplishment for me,” Meadows said.

Meadows spent twenty years as an U.S Army Ranger before retiring in Lismore, Australia. He knew he wanted to use the skills he acquired as a ranger and transfer them into the civilian world but was not sure what that would look like at first.

 “I wanted to do something fun, to be able to give back to the community and to make a decent living,” Meadows said. “Suddenly, it hit me. Fitness. It changes lives.”

After six years of working in Australia, Meadows decided to move back home to Alabama where he began training at the Mountain Brook YMCA. After several years, Meadows had a waiting list of clients and decided it was time to venture out on his own. He opened Balance Personal Training Studio in July of 2012.

“I decided it was time to go into business for myself and offer group training,” Meadows said.

Balance Fitness offers group classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and one-on-one training sessions by appointment. There are currently three trainers: Meadows, Scott Fell, also a U.S Army veteran, and McNeill Strang, a long distance runner and strength trainer. Meadows said each trainer’s diverse skill set helps the business meet a wide range of client needs. Trainers coach their clients on fitness, nutrition, strength and general health and wellness.

 “As soon as you walk through the door, we set goals for you and find problem areas,” Meadows said. “We do a fitness assessment and write a program for you.”

The studio’s ideal location gives trainers the opportunity to incorporate runs and walks through nearby Jemison Park and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens into fitness routines. In addition, Meadows hopes to hire two or three more trainers and is looking to add Yoga, Pilates, Zumba and Boxing to the mix.

Meadows said the most rewarding part of his job is experiencing his clients’ transformation. Whether it’s losing ten pounds or training to be in law enforcement, Meadows loves seeing people reach their potential.

“Seeing people reach a goal is truly rewarding,” Meadows said. “Seeing someone get off their high blood pressure medicine. Or doing a push up or a sit-up. I enjoy seeing them overcome weakness.”