Christina Stanbery, Owner Beyond Fifty Fitness, Ambassador
I was introduced to the fitness industry at the age of sixteen, and have continued with fitness throughout my life. In 1995, I graduated with my Bachelors of Art from the University of Maryland at College Park and immediately became a Prince George’s County Police Officer. I realized enforcing the law in such a high crime area was not what I went to college to do; therefore, in 1998, I resigned as a police officer and opened my very own fitness center from the ground up near Charlottesville, Virginia. I grew up in a family of self-employed parents, so owning and operating a business was second nature.
I worked closely with my first landlord, Bill Sclater, in designing my studio as a build to suit. I opened my doors in 1998, and grew rapidly. By 2001, I was in need of additional space. A second landlord, Tony Rocklein, built my second location to suit, enabling me the opportunity to expand as needed. I relocated to this location and used both facilities until I was able to close the first location in 2003. I expanded my business model to include massage and chiropractic services. In 2007, I sold my fitness center to John & Lora Orme and relocated to Delaware. To this date, the fitness center is still open and successful.
My father was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2003, and by 2007, his disease was showing signs of advancing into his lungs. I moved to Delaware in 2007 to help my father and enrolled in the nursing program at Delaware Tech. I graduated in 2009 and became a nurse for Christiana Care, then years later Bayada Pediatrics. While helping my father, I realized that I was using my nursing knowledge and previous fitness knowledge to help improve the quality of his life. As we struggled to find a fitness center that could help my father, together we realized no such fitness club existed.
With the lack of fitness opportunities and assistance for improving the health of individuals aged 50 and older, I recognized my passion can become reality. After much research, I opened Beyond Fifty Fitness Center in North Wilmington in April 2015. Beyond Fifty employs only certified personal trainers and group fitness instructors that focus on the active aging adult. After combining my medical and fitness knowledge, I created a valuable head-to-toe assessment that enables the trainers to personalize an exercise plan that is specific to the members needs. In addition to this tool, Beyond Fifty provides members an enjoyable, educational and comfortable environment. After working endless hours, Beyond Fifty Fitness Center started to grow. In November 2018, I opened a second location in Hockessin Delaware. My goal is to eventually franchise Beyond Fifty Fitness Center and provide this quality of care to as many individuals ages 50 and beyond as possible.
