Focus on Black-owned Businesses: Akron woman combines passion for fitness and fashion
Working out and helping people reach their fitness goals wound up being the perfect combination for Frey Canty, the owner of Body Rock Studio in Akron's Merriman Valley.
In addition, Canty adds a dash of hip-hop for fun with her cycling studio.
"I noticed the area didn't have a hip-hop cycling class," said Canty, who opened Body Rock in 2016. "I used to work in corporate, but I knew that wasn't my passion. It wasn't my destiny to do that forever. I always loved working out. When I saw that I had the ability to help others, that is what helped me reach out to others to reach their weight loss goals."
To see more stories: Focus on Black-owned businesses: Read every story from the Beacon Journal's ongoing series here
Canty said that her clients have seen results in "the enormous weight in body transformations our gym has produced."
"One of our ladies lost 130 pounds at my facility," she said.
In addition to hip-hop cycling, Canty said she has boot camp classes and sells vegetarian food and is a certified herbalist. She also sells exercise clothing. Meals, teas, juices, apparel and more can be purchased through bodyrockelite.com online.
In addition to Body Rock Studio, Canty also opened a new women's clothing boutique, The Elite Collection, in October. The boutique is next to Body Rock. Canty said she employs three people between the two businesses.
"The unit next door became available, so I decided to go for it," Canty said.
She said he loves fashion, and her boutique includes day and evening wear from "a variety of labels." The Elite Collection also includes jewelry, handbags, shoes and other accessories.
Canty grew up in Akron and moved to Cleveland, where she lived for about 20 years. She moved back to Akron to care for her mom and currently lives in Akron with her husband and her oldest daughter. Her other daughter lives in Costa Rica.
Consistency is key for those who wish to stick with their resolutions to adopt a healthier lifestyle, Canty said.
"Work your plan every day until it becomes reality," Canty said. "Have a plan you can see daily and work it until they get to their goal."
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
At a glance
Businesses: Body Rock Studio and The Elite Collection
Owner: Frey Canty
Started: Body Rock, 2016; The Elite Collection, October 2021
Address: 1720 Merriman Road, Akron.
Contact information: The Elite Collection: https://theelite-collection.com; Body Rock Studio, BodyRockElite@gmail.com
Website: https://bodyrockelite.com and https://theelite-collection.com
About the series
The Beacon Journal is profiling Black-owned businesses in Summit County. Read more of these profiles at https://bit.ly/3jb0h1e. The Beacon Journal will continue to highlight minority-owned businesses as part of its ongoing regular coverage.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Black-owned Akron business Body Rock Studio combines cycling, hip-hop
