Toddle Fitness success is strong even through tough economy

Toddle Fitness in Visalia stays strong through tough economyBetsy Sorensen reluctantly opened the doors to Toddle Fitness, hesitant after watching the news of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on TV all morning long.

While several people had signed up for the toddler fitness program, just one showed up with her parent that morning. Despite a less than optimistic outlook for her new business endeavor, Sorensen moved forward with her idea to bring dancing and fitness to children without the pressure of a recital or performance.

“I told my children, ‘I have to go.’ I had been pushed to do it by my best friend; I couldn’t not do it,” Sorensen said.

Sorensen was taught dance by her mother, who owned a studio in Hanford. But with the pressures of performances, Sorensen knew she wanted to take a different approach with younger children.

Instead of performance, she focused on fun.

“We are throwing the competitiveness out the door,” she said.

So, with an SUV packed with children’s dance and fitness supplies, she made the trek from Hanford to Visalia to teach. Being well-known in the dance community throughout the Valley helped Sorensen grow her program. She found different studios to hold classes with the hope of one day having her own studio.

That day came five years ago when Sorensen and her best friend, Melissa Mathison, spotted the perfect place just off Main Street in Visalia. Paco’s Tacos had closed and Sorensen and Toddle Fitness found a home at 309 W. Oak Ave.

Today, Sorensen says she has dozens of children and adults enrolled in 10 different classes for infants, toddlers and adults.

“This is the greatest thing for little children. But babies and adults can benefit, too. We aren’t your typical dance studio,” said Becca Coffey, the assistant director of Toddle Fitness. “There’s something for everyone.”

In an economy that forces many people to pinch pennies, Sorensen hasn’t raised prices and continues to fill her classes. Her approach to fun over competition seems to be working, parents said. Sorensen hasn’t raised her price of $60 a month for one weekly class since 2006.

“The interaction with other kids is something my daughter looks forward to every week,” said Itzel Gonzalez, whose 2-year-old daughter, Janize, is enrolled in the toddler program. “When we start driving down the street, she lights up. It’s well worth it.”

Steady pricing isn’t the only thing Sorensen points to for Toddle Fitness’ success. With more than a score of years dancing and teaching under her belt, Sorensen says parents are looking for a way to keep their children fit, with the television off and parents more involved.

Toddle Fitness offers two classes for those ages 3 to 6; one allows parents to get involved. Toddle Fitness expanded to offer classes for infants 6 months and older, as well as dance, hip hop, cheerleading and tumbling. Instructors like Coffey and Ashley Rowlett bring experience to Zumba and dance classes.

For now, Sorensen isn’t about to try and fix something that isn’t broken. After her best friend, who encouraged her to open Toddle Fitness, died of cancer last summer, Sorensen said she lost some of the motivation that has made her programs strong. But with faith that her friend is still pushing her to keep Toddle Fitness going, Sorensen says, “the spirit is back.”

“I knew in my heart that when I started, it was going to be special. Something different,” she said. “This is supposed to be fun. If you’re having a bad day, I guarantee you won’t when you leave here.”