NJ Gym Worker 'Pivots' After Job Loss, Opens His Own Business In Essex County

NEWARK, NJ — When the coronavirus pandemic began, Widchard Jilus lost his job at a corporate gym in New York City. Meanwhile, nearly all of his private clients “fled” New York to other states – or countries – because of the fear surrounding COVID-19. And there was a time when Jilus considered scrapping his plan to open a new gym on the other side of the Hudson River in Newark altogether.

“Naturally, it forced me to pivot,” the entrepreneur told Patch.

But with the launch of his new business at 562 Broad Street, LivFit Fitness Personal Training & Wellness Studio, Jilus has finally come full circle on a dream that’s been decades in the making.

“Although, I’m not from Newark, my experiences working in Newark at Horizon Blue Cross & Blue Shield of New Jersey is where my own fitness journey began,” Jilus said. “For me, it was more than just starting a new business … it has been my passion for the past 20 years to be a trainer to help people in my community and an opportunity to impact lives.”

That doesn’t mean launching a new business has been easy, however.

“The Newark landscape has been extremely challenging to navigate during this pandemic with many residents still unaware we are in fact open for business,” Jilus said.

LivFit Fitness is taking several COVID safety measures, according to its website:

• Limited occupancy according to CDC guidelines
• Temperature screening and questionnaire of staff and clients upon entrance to the studio
• All employees and patrons must wear face coverings
• All employees and patrons must wash and sanitize their hands
• One-on-one personal training and group training must maintain 6 feet distance
• Mandatory cleaning and sanitizing in between clients with Atomizer
• Studio cleaned twice daily
• By appointment only no walk-ins

Pivoting and adaptation continue to be the name of the game, Jilus said. And in the end, he hopes that he’ll get a chance to make a difference in the lives of the people who come into LivFit Fitness.

“After opening our doors in September 2020 and having navigated through the height of pandemic, we look to highlight the importance of personal health and wellness to the community to educate motivate and impact as many lives through fitness as possible as we emerge from [the omicron variant],” Jilus said.

“We’re excited to get people moving in a healthy and conscious way,” he added.

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