By Chad Neal
Brad Poole is a homegrown in Cattaraugus County and he is a go getter! An inspiration to very many people – Poole is also an entrepreneur as he has taken his life’s misfortune and turned it around to give himself a better quality of life and sharing his passion for it with anyone who needs that motivating force. Poole has defied odds as his battle with Cystic Fibrosis from a young age gave him a grim outlook when he found out, and he is using his model to encourage others to take care of themselves through exercise and well-being. He opened Warrior Fitness in Ellicottville not too long ago and saw that it was popular for area residents and decided he wants to build more gyms in the county and his plan is forthcoming as his second Warrior Fitness is ready to go with the grand opening on December 30th. The Villager caught up with Poole and inquired about his endeavor:
The Villager (V): Tell us about your new Warrior Fitness in Little Valley?
Brad Poole (BP): The new spot is located at 214 Main Street in Little Valley. It sits back along the Pat McGee Trail. The building itself is 14,000 square feet, but I’m occupying 3,000 square feet of that. It used to be the DPW building years ago. It has overhead garage doors that can open in the spring and summer months which will be awesome to utilize when it’s warmer. It will really give it that garage style gym feel. Inside we made it a rustic look. We took metal/ tin off an old hog barn in Randolph and that is being used as the walls within the facility. The ceiling is all grey metal/ tin, so it looks super sharp and amazing.
V: When did you decide on the second gym?
BP: I decide on a second gym last spring. I want to eventually own a handful of gyms throughout Cattaraugus County. I chose Little Valley because it’s an up and coming town and I feel it needed something like this. You have LV, Cattaraugus, Napoli, the Ottos, Randolph, Salamanca and other small surrounding towns that can utilize the facility. We will be able to attract a whole different group of people. Our Ellicottville location is primarily made up of Ellicottville, Salamanca, and Great Valley residents. And of course people who come from Canada, Ohio and other states. My mission is to create as many healthy people (Warriors) as we can throughout our county. I want everyone (those who choose to) to be able to live life to their fullest potential and it starts with a healthy body and mind. At Warrior Fitness we can help you achieve that!
V: When did you find it and start the journey?
BP: The landlord of the building I occupy in Ellicottville, Mike Stang, also owns the one in Little Valley. So, I sat down and had a talk with him one day last spring and told him what I wanted to do. He was on board so we started putting everything together and made it happen.
V: What will it have?
BP: We will have everything from strength machines to cardio machines, to free weights, long turf for a tire and sled and other miscellaneous things. Everything that you can think of in a gym, we will have.
V: Classes and stuff?
BP: We will have classes. I believe we are only starting off with 2-3 evening classes. You can find those on our StudioBookings app. You can sign up, pay for and book all classes right on that. There will also be personal training. We will have a couple certified trainers who are ready to help you become the best version of you.
V: What will the Grand Opening consist of?
BP: At the Grand Opening we will be doing a ribbon cutting and a champagne toast. We will invite people inside our facility. We will also have all information on display such as: classes, memberships, bootcamps and personal training.
V: How much are memberships and how can you get them?
BP: Memberships: Yearly $45/ month on auto payments, 6 month: $290 or a 3 month: $165. There is a 15% discount for students, seniors, military and first responders. 1 month trial of $50, 1 month couples trial $80, 1 month family trial (5 members) $100. Family Plans: Yearly options 3 members $120/ month autopay, 4 members $140/ Month autopay and 5 members is $150/month autopay.
Once a member you have access to facility between 5am and 10pm via key code.
People may purchase memberships now, or do it on the day of if they come to our Grand Opening. They can do so now by reaching out to us via Facebook or instagram. Shoot us a message and let us know what you’re looking for and we can help!
Poole also said “Come check us out! See what Warrior Fitness is all about and the movement we are creating. We are changing people’s lives for the better and it’s so awesome to see.”