Getting Fit Downtown at Uptown Body Fitness Studio

Personal fitness has always been a big part of Lynn Tokoph’s life. Her passion to keep fit and help others with their personal goals was one reason for opening just over two years ago.

For her, it was a dream turned reality.

“I was doing interior design and training [others] on the side,” Tokoph said. “When the economy started to fall, the home business took a dive so that’s when I decided I needed to get into something different. Everyone was telling me you should open your own studio.”

Her daughter works at the salon on the floor below, so she was aware the space was available. As a resident of Northville, having her studio so close to home was tempting.

“I decided I might as well go for it,” Tokoph said. “I wanted a whole different image. We wanted to make it like a New York loft – nice and classy, clean. Not the typical gym.”

After a quick process, of less than five months, Uptown Body opened its doors. Over two years later, Tokoph continues with new ideas to help her business grow.

“My concept when I opened was mainly for women. Cardio kickboxing, pole dancing, belly dancing, hip hop cardio, Zumba and boot camp. In order for me to grow and expand, I needed to get men in here as well. So I took on an extra 1500 square feet and decided to add the hardcore, old school type work outs too.”

Ian Cardenas, a trainer at Uptown Body, shares the same drive as Tokoph to inspire others and help them achieve a healthier lifestyle.

“Watching people push themselves farther than they ever thought they could do is one of the things that make this job worth coming to every day,” Cardenas said. “I’ve had so many people say that was one of the best workouts I’ve ever had. I didn’t know I could do those things.”

Jennifer Chilson of Novi has been going to Uptown Body for almost two years and loves the personal attention she gets there. After frequenting other gyms over the years, Chilson says nothing compares.

“Ian knows my eating habits and so does Lynn. They both learn a lot about us to cater workouts to our strengths. It’s fantastic,” Chilson said. “My husband says he’s never seen me so dedicated to something. I’ll go in a snow storm, I’ll go when I’m not feeling great, I’ll go anytime because it makes me so happy.”

Tokoph added, “That’s the best feeling in the world; to be able to help people and see what they can accomplish and change about themselves and just seeing them happy with themselves. There’s nothing better than that.”

Tokoph loves Northville and doesn’t have any intention of ever leaving, but somewhere down the road, she sees her studio expending beyond the city limits.

“I would love to have another Uptown Body in another area” Tokoph said. “I’ve had clients that have moved out of state and they all say the same thing: 'there’s no studio like this around. Can you open one over here?' That’s a great feeling. It’s going to take time, but eventually, that’s what I would like to do.”