It’s a short walk from downtown Eureka, and no stone was left unturned in its creation.

Ceci Walker and Tracy Stone bring more than 30 years of their combined knowledge of fitness, physical therapy and personal training to Praxis Fitness, their bright, welcoming space at 530 F Street in downtown Eureka.

Aimed at providing a quality workout experience for everyone from the most seasoned exerciser to the gym-newcomer, the two poured their vast fitness knowledge into creating a gym that is both elegant and accessible at the same time — a true “haven for the body and mind.”

“It has been a dream of mine for years to create a facility where people feel comfortable when they walk in the door and aren’t intimidated by the typical gym atmosphere. I always wanted to have something that felt more comfortable and more intimate,” Stone said. Complimentary towels, spa-like locker rooms and state-of-the-art equipment aside, the facility also boasts a massage room and on-site aesthetician services by Maggie Smith-Griggs. (See sidebar)

With years of experience as personal trainers between them, Stone and Walker said Praxis Fitness offers what other gyms sometimes lack: attention to detail.

“When you walk in the door, we’re going to know everybody’s name. In addition, our classes are going to be smaller — no more than ten people — so we can provide more individual attention.” Along with Stone and Walker is employee Pam Jennings, who has more than 10 years’ experience in exercise science and personal training, as well. With more trainers per member, Stone said people will get more out of their workouts, and less injury as a result.

The gym consists mainly of three spacious rooms. The first contains the all-new Cybex strength and cardiovascular equipment, from Stairmasters to elliptical machines; the second is the group exercise room with free weights, TRX suspension training systems and Bosu balls; and the third is the LaMond cycling room. The personal touches like towels displayed in wicker baskets, rich, Eucalyptus flooring, modern lighting and warm, honey-colored walls can almost make a person forget they are in a fitness center.

“I always felt like you could have a nice, clean, well-maintained, comfortable environment and still have top-quality equipment and all of those aspects of a functional gym. It’s the best of both worlds,” Stone said. Judging from the response since opening on July 1, they appear to have succeeded in creating the gym of their dreams.

“We’ve had a lot of people say when they come in here, they feel comfortable right away. When they get ready in the locker rooms, they feel like they’re at home. That’s what we wanted. More of a spa-like feeling in a gym,” said Stone.

Walker explained that the downtown location was chosen as a reflection of their desire to provide a service for the surrounding businesses in the area and give back to the community as a whole. The two secured a small business loan from Redwood Capital Bank themselves, and Jennifer Budwig, the commercial loan officer who worked with the two entrepreneurs, recalled their business plan as being exemplary. “They put a lot of time and energy into it and it definitely showed,” Budwig said.

The space was then completely transformed with their innovative vision in mind and the help of their contractors and husbands. Walker’s husband Miles Dart did a lot of the building’s electrical work himself and, together with Stone’s husband Pat, laid the flooring. In addition, “the landlords, Beth and Dick Giraud and Art and Marguerite Dalianes, were so receptive and so easy to work with,” Stone said.

The name “Praxis” was chosen for its exemplification of Walker and Stone’s mission for their new fitness center and for life as a whole. A Greek word that translates to “the process of putting theoretical knowledge into practice,” Stone said, “That’s kind of how we train.”

“It’s not just going from machine to machine, it’s training people how to use their strength in a functional way.”

Noontime Pilates classes have been scheduled and corporate memberships will be offered with the hope that the gym’s easy accessibility to downtown Eureka will inspire people from neighboring businesses to join. “We’d like to reach out to people that are in the neighborhood that can pop in after work and do a class or use the gym for open gym. This is right in their neighborhood,” Stone pointed out.

“As fitness professionals, we just want to help people and make it as easy as possible to be able to lead healthy lives,” Walker said. Walker, who has wanted to open her own facility “for longer than I can remember,” always had another dream, as well — to be a successful and positive example as an employer. “I’ve always wanted to provide an environment where people could thrive as employees,” she explained.

“Our goal for our business is to improve our community as a whole. We feel by helping people make positive changes in their life and by doing things that makes them happy, that positive energy goes back into the community,” she said.

“We wanted to make the environment safe and comfortable, like people feel when they’re at home,” said Walker. The best part? “It’s actually happening,” she said. “I just finished training with two people who have been scared and nervous to do something like this.”

And after an hour at Praxis? “They left excited and happy and wanted to schedule more.”

Open gym hours are now Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with extended hours to come. Pilates and cycling classes, as well as yoga classes taught by Patricia Starr, are available from 5:30 a.m. throughout the day. Online sign-ups are available for members at www.praxisfitness.com. The gym’s grand opening will take place during September’s Arts! Alive.

For more information on membership, phone 707-441-0717.

(Vivian Dunlap can be reached at vdunlap@eurekareporter.com, or at 707-269-7449.)

Pure Skincare by Maggie Smith-Griggs opens in Praxis Fitness

“My philosophy is simple: Pure Skincare. By this I mean for the individual and for the planet,” said Maggie Smith-Griggs of her new aesthetician services located on the top floor of Praxis Fitness at 530 F Street in Eureka.

“Providing nurturing and pampering treatments using the most natural and effective products for each individual is the goal,” Smith-Griggs said. Utilizing only the finest, purest products that are void of “impurities and anything that your face might react to,” enabling the healthiest and most natural results; the menu of services will include treatments that range from the feel-good European facial to medi facials, chemical peels and waxing. “These treatments will assist you in acquiring healthy rejuvenated skin,” she explained.

“I really want to focus on that because that is what you can get the most results from without having injections or surgery,” Smith-Griggs said.

With a goal of providing services in the safest and best way for clients and for the environment, in the most relaxing and pampering environment possible, Smith-Griggs plans to expand to providing body peels and scrubs in the future, as well.

Smith-Griggs is available by appointment by phoning 707-616-8642.