We’ve all heard the saying “If you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life.” Karen Rogers, owner of Exercise Express at 232 South Plymouth Ave. in Corn Hill, exemplifies this adage. Her dedication to fitness and helping others achieve their goals is evident the first time you meet her.
Karen was introduced to spinning (riding a stationary bike with varying resistance) when she was working at a local YMCA. The first time she tried, she lasted 10 minutes (classes are usually an hour). She felt discouraged until the instructor saw her after class and told her what a good job she had done. She encouraged her to add a minute or two with each class until she could last an entire class. Soon Karen was hooked, she was going to spin class 5 times a week. She lost 60 pounds, and the same instructor encouraged her to complete the training to be an instructor.
She then worked at a few local gyms teaching while work-ing a full-time job. When she found out a local gym was closing, she bought their equipment and, with the encouragement of her husband and a friend who has a business in the same building, opened her own gym at 232 South Plymouth.
Karen in her studio on South Plymouth Ave. 
Karen Rogers is owner of Exercise Express.
Last year, the businesses and non profit agencies at 232 South Plymouth formed a coalition called ROC HUB. Their mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and the community through the access and availability of a continuum of co-located services. The services available there include health education, recovery coaching, family support, obesity/diabetes prevention, and help for anyone with a substance abuse disorder.
The businesses and non-profit organizations include Exercise Express, Health Reach Plus, Me Time Massage and Wellness, rent-nowROC, Rochester/Monroe Recovery Network and the Samaritan Center of Excellence.
I encourage everyone to check out Exercise Express. In addition to spin class, there are other classes including a Silver Sneakers program for seniors. Karen is also a certified person-al trainer. After meeting her it’s easy to see why she was voted “Best Personal Trainer” by Rochester City Paper. Stop in Monday through Thursday at 6 p.m. or Saturday at 8 a.m. and try a class. Your first class is always free.
~ by Kathleen Walsh, Chair, Corn Hill Ad Hoc Wellness Committee