Miracles Fitness History
After reading the surgeon generals report on exercise and feeling the affects of aging herself, Dottie Drake, an RN since 1973, felt called to teach people to stop focusing on death and learn how to regain their strength and live again. The problem was there was no place geared for her or the 80% of the de-conditioned population to exercise.So, in May of 1998, Dottie opened her first health club, a 1,200 sq. ft. facility focused exclusively on the underserved population of women, seniors, and the physically challenged. "Fitness First" was the first club in the nation to combine these populations in an health club setting and the response was overwhelming!
To compensate, Dottie had to expand her facility within the same year. In February of 2000 she opened her second location with the third following only 8 months later. The following year she began to franchise.
Today, Dottie is recognized as a pioneer in the fitness industry. Her health clubs have been featured in The New York Times, Club Industry, Club Business Industry, Family Magazine, Fitness Management Magazine, International Council on Active Aging, Journal on Active Aging, The Nursing Spectrum and Advance for Nursing. Her Miracles Fitness program has been recognized nationally by winning the Nu-Step Pinnacle Award of Excellence for designing senior programs.
