For Kasey Cartledge, being in the gym has been a way of life.

“Fitness has been huge for me,” Cartledge said. “I’ve worked within a gym since I was 15 and been through so much in my life. I’ve gotten married, pregnant, lost family members, divorced and have raised my child in the gym. It has just been so important to have this stress release and a way to meet new people and make friends.”

Cartledge is the new owner of Get Fit Yelm and took over the business on Jan. 1. While it’s certainly been hectic becoming a business owner, Cartledge said it’s a good kind of hectic. She has been no stranger to Get Fit Yelm for the past nine years.

“It was the best advantage I could have coming into this,” Cartledge said. “For a new owner with no idea how this gym works, it would be a lot to learn from our computer system contracts, the basic operations and all of our accounts.”

After leaving another local business nine years ago, Cartledge was driving around Yelm when she saw a help needed sign at Get Fit Yelm.

“Basically they took me in and I quickly went from front desk to assistant manager in the last nine years,” Cartledge said.

While she is very into fitness, Cartledge is also into business and business culture. She has been around other corporate owned gyms and realized the local small business nature of Get Fit Yelm is special. Cartledge received her associate’s degree in business from Bellevue College, gaining valuable insight on how a business operates.

In 2017, Get Fit Yelm’s previous owner, Nic Younis, died but his father took over ownership of the business and continued to run it. Gym employees and members were a bit worried the business could be sold to an outside person who would change the nature and atmosphere of the Yelm mainstay.

“It was his son’s legacy and memory and he wouldn’t have just sold it to anyone,” Cartledge. “It’s been just over four years and I think he was finally ready to pass the gym on.”

Nic Younis had a holistic approach to fitness. He was part of the community and helped improve the health of the community, something Cartledge wants to continue.

Cartledge said everyone has been supportive of the ownership change including gym members and the Yelm Chamber of Commerce. The gym has a staff of seven people, two independent trainers who are contracted out and one trainer on staff.

The past two years have been challenging for gyms and those who work out in congregate settings due to COVID-19 restrictions but Cartledge has forged forward.

She is putting money into the gym for some improvements, so there has been construction at Get Fit Yelm. She also said the gym now carries supplements and is looking to add new equipment.

Cartledge will add her other business, The Loft Esthetics, where she does body and facial waxing, brow shaping, lash extensions and lash lifts.

Get Fit Yelm offers 24-hour access, an infrared sauna and personal trainers. The business is rebuilding its group fitness program and will be offering classes soon. Cartledge also has a company out of Portland which delivers healthy pre-made meals every Friday to those who order.

The gym is also unique because it’s the only one in the area that offers child care.

“As a single mom, I know how important child care is,” Cartledge said. “Yelm is also near a military base so we have many gym members who have spouses deployed.”

The gym allows kids as young as 12 to be members. It introduces them to fitness and shows them a healthy lifestyle.

“It’s so important to have stress release,” Cartledge said. “During the lockdown because of COVID-19, we hardly had a chance to work out. It really takes away the endorphins when you aren’t exercising and people turn to other things to replace those hormones. The gym gives people the chance to release endorphins and they’re also great social areas.”

Cartledge said that during the lockdown she missed the social environment of the gym.

Moving through 2022, Cartledge said she is excited about the upcoming changes to the gym. She said her focus will be centered on continually improving equipment and services in the gym, and making the establishment into a culminating place for fitness. She encourages anyone with suggestions or feedback for the gym to reach out at customerservice@getfityelm.com.

Get Fit Yelm is located at 103 93rd Ave. SE in Yelm.