Flip-Flop Fitness opens in Trumann

Young gymnasts enjoy class.

Rebecca Long is a young business owner with a lot of energy. Only 22, she has owned and operated her own business for 14 months.

In August of 2007 she opened Flip-Flop Fitness in Trumann. She also operated a second location in Jonesboro. She recently closed the Jonesboro location to concentrate on her classes in Trumann.

Flip-Flop Fitness offers exercise equipment for women, an hour long Fitness Boot Camp Class five days a week, gymnastics classes for girls, strength and conditioning classes for boys, birthday parties, cheerleading training and one hour body blast classes.

Long purchased the exercise equipment previously used by Lady Fitness owner Jan Cranford. The equipment is used for circuit training.

"We provide a 30 minute workout for women," she said. "The workout is

geared towards gaining strength, losing weight and toning the muscles."

She provides

a total body workout prepared for men and women of any age group. She will also coach participants in diet and nutritional needs.

Flip-Flop Fitness also offers an hour long boot camp each week day. The workouts are designed for men and women who want to get in shape. The boot camp fitness program is very popular throughout Northeast Arkansas.

"The instructor will provide a total body workout prepared for men and women of any age group," Long says. "A person can choose from low or high impact moves. Each participant will receive a well developed notebook providing information to help guide them through the program physically and mentally."

Long also tries to motivate weight-loss students to focus on nutrition and the safe and healthy technique towards losing weight.

Long especially enjoys the gymnastics classes she teaches. Children's classes are provided for boys and girls aged 18 months and up.

"Gymnastics is a fun and healthy activity for children," she said. "Children love to roll, jump, swing, climb and turn upside down. Gymnastics provides the best foundation for developing a higher fitness and mental level, which can also transfer to other sports."

"My goal is to teach these sports in a fun, safe environment," Long said, "while helping students develop a positive self image and gain confidence."

"Flip-Flop Fitness is committed to educating kids and empowering them to develop a healthy lifestyle for a lifetime," Long said. "These programs help build fitness, coordination, balance and imagination while developing certain skills."

Long's interest in gymnastics began when she was a toddler. She began taking gymnastics training at age two. She continued her gymnastics training through age 15. At 15, she began coaching and teaching her first gymnastics classes in her hometown of West Memphis.

A graduate of West Memphis High School, she was on the cheerleading squad for four years. She has also coached a competition cheerleading squad in Memphis.

Long attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and majored in Health Promotion Study. She has taught Fitness Boot Camps across Northeast Arkansas and has worked as a fitness trainer for the past two years.

Long is assisted in the business by instructor Michael Probst who teaches boot camp classes and boys classes.

Flip-Flop Fitness is located at 419 Highway 463 North in Trumann. The business is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

See the ad in this week's community "shop local" section for information about upcoming events at Flip Flop Fitness.