From My First Class to My Final Farewell
From My First Class to My Final Farewell
After years of building strength, confidence, and community at Core Performance Fitness Studio, Kim Duke, certified personal trainer and owner, is stepping away - and reflecting on the journey
In 2006 I started my journey as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) at Springville Health & Fitness, formally known as Spring Creek Athletic Club. When I was hired, the facility was still in its build-out phase and, like me, the facility would be new and full of possibilities. I was given the title of Fitness Coordinator and was tasked with the development of group fitness and personal training programs for the gym. It was quite literally a dream job. However, in 2008/2009 my life would be altered by a series of devastating personal and financial blows. At that time, it was important to me to be close to home in Ellicottville for my two boys, Zachary and Niklas, ages 11 and 7 at the time, since I became their only parent.
In 2009 some of my dearest friends helped me carve out a little fitness studio in the now-abandoned 1887 building. Here, I started Core Performance Fitness and Training, aka Hardcore Fitness. I ran fitness classes in the old gymnasium, and folks who attended needed to bring their own stability balls, mats, and dumbbells.
In 2011, Kody Sprague was creating the Ellicottville Square Complex off Fillmore Ave. and I jumped on board. I started with an 800-square-foot studio that was adequate for a few years. In 2015, a larger space became available and Kody was kind enough to build it out for me. Now, I had the studio of my dreams.
My studio has been my second home and my safe haven. For the majority of my journey, I have had the good fortune of having Debbie Fredrickson by my side. We have both collaborated and commiserated on a daily basis. We have weathered through personal and professional storms that I know I could have never navigated alone. We have both developed deeply personal relationships with many of our clients and absolutely love our group fitness class participants.
2025 was my 10th year in the studio and also my most profitable year to date.
At the start of 2026, I felt a shift. It had nothing to do with what was going on inside the studio - but it had everything to do with what was going inside my head. After doing some deep soul searching, I have decided to retire from the fitness industry.
Telling my clients and class participants has not been easy. There are tears and fears. I am hoping to sell Core Performance as a turnkey opportunity so that my community is not displaced.
My philosophy as a trainer was always to create a safe and effective workout for every person that walked through my door, no matter what age/fitness level. To build not only on their weakness but also their strengths. At Core Performance, Debbie and I built muscles, self-confidence, self-awareness, and always did our best to teach our clients on the importance of proper form, consistency, and a strong core.
In parting, I will leave you with a quote from my beloved Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” To all of the wonderful people who have allowed me into their lives on a weekly basis - You made me feel like I mattered and that what I offered was healthy and helpful. I can only hope I did the same for you. Thank you for trusting me and supporting me.
