WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The newest fitness spot in town will be ready for full operation on Jan. 4, just in time for the traditional start of New Year's resolution season.

 

But that might be its only similarity with traditional gyms.

 

Berkshire Fitness Co. on Water Street will feature equipment not seen anywhere else in the region, an emphasis on individualized training regimens and a knowledgeable staff with years of experience in physical therapy.

 

"We take the physical, behavioral and biological sciences and apply  them to the individual," said Robin Dufour, a physical therapist for 20 years and a co-founder of Berkshire Fitness Co. — or Be Fit Co. — with Dave Armet of Williamstown Physical Therapy.

 

That pair are joined by Christy Abel in the new venture, which seeks to combine cutting-edge technology with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

 

Be Fit Co. will offer programs for clients at every stage of life.

 

"Everything from elite athletes we can challenge with sport-specific training to the lady who just wants to work in her garden without her back hurting, Dufour said.

 

And busy professionals who want to maximize the effectiveness of their workout.

 

"Let's say someone walks in and says, 'Why are you doing that?' " Dufour said. "The fun thing is we have an explanation for what that exercise is doing for that specific person at this specific time.

 

"You can spend less time because you're doing the right thing for your body or your sport. Your workout is more efficient, more focused."

 

And more advanced thanks to equipment like a room filled with Stroops Resistance Bands, three different Fitwall devices, aerial silks and the circular 3ACT Slide slide board developed by Armet and Abel.

 

"Those are four things I think we don't have in the Berkshires at all," Abel said.

 

The Stroops bands are "an excellent alternative to free weights, workout machines and traditional body weight exercises," according to the manufacturer. They can be used to build strength and tone muscles.

 

Fitwall, a high-tech device developed by, among others, Williams College grad Joe Bergeron, is a wall-mounted apparatus that users climb on, step on and use with resistance bands — all the while being monitored by the device itself.

 

"There is an iPad above each one," Dufour said. "You have a heart rate monitor on, and it runs you through your workout, which is more customized for you."

 

The aerial silks are rigged like those used by acrobats so they can safely support an adult body. But at Be Fit Co., the same equipment will be used not for stunts but for exercise and yoga classes.

 

"They're kind of unique in the Berkshires," Dufour said. "You can use them to work on balance, strength training and flexibility. You can do beautiful, flowy movements you couldn't do normally.

 

"The closest place to find this would probably be New York City."

 

The 3ACT Slide is a Williamstown original that helps develop strength, flexibility, balance, agility and coordination, according to the product's website, www.3actslide.com.

 

Be Fit Co. grew out of a friendship between Dufour and Armet, who met while doing a fellowship at the Gray Institute for applied functional science in Michigan.

 

"It's not just a 'Planet Fitness' experience," Dufour said. "We're providing the science behind how we help you move better. Everything we do is for a purpose. We're focusing on the individual. We want to keep the classes small. Our memberships include personal training. Every time you see us, we're assessing and reassessing.

 

"Our core value is we want to make sure you're safe, and the only way to do that is to check in with you."

 

Be Fit Co. promises to be especially useful for clients who are recovering from injuries.

 

"One of the reasons Dave [Armet] and I wanted to open was that after your insurance runs out for physical therapy, that's when you can do the best work to prevent re-injury," Dufour said. "It's been frustrating for us to discharge patients and say, 'Good luck.' "

 

Other clients might make Be Fit Co. their first stop if they have a nagging injury.

 

"A lot of times, someone starts to run or do something different and they experience pain and they just stop," Dufour said. "They can come here without a doctor's referral, and with our medical background, we might say, 'Yeah, you need to get that checked out.'

 

"But we can handle many common aches and pains here, which you can't do at a traditional gym."

 

Members of Be Fit Co. will be welcome to drop in any time for personal workouts, but the space at the former Browns clothing store will be buzzing with a number of classes, including: silks, core training, TRX, VIPR training, strength and conditioning, flow yoga, therapeutic yoga, strength yoga and teen yoga, which Abel and Dufour expect to be a popular choice for sports teams.

 

The Be Fit Co. founders are also hoping to welcome Amanda Bayliss, a strength and conditioning specialist certified to teach wellness and exercise classes at the Berkshire Medical Center Cancer Center. The Water Street venue hopes Bayliss will bring north an exercise class she teaches for cancer survivors.

 

All these classes and workouts will take place an attractive space with hardwood floors, works by local artists and an atmosphere that promotes community and camaraderie.

 

"As you're sitting there, hanging out in the coffee bar, you're also talking about what's going on in the community," Abel said. "You might find a new buddy to go take a hike on the trails behind the Clark or you might find someone to train with for your first 5K.

 

"You're getting support not just from us but from the people around you."

 

Although the grand opening for Berkshire Fitness Co. isn't until Jan. 4, the center will be open Dec. 21-23 and 28-30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone wishing to purchase gift certificates for the holidays.

 

"And, if they're ready to go, they can go ahead and schedule an assessment now so you'll be ready to start working out right away on Jan. 4," Abel said. "We'll have your program ready."

 

For more information about Berkshire Fitness Co., contact Dufour at robin@befitcompany.com.