By Mary Beth Hislop

It could be called fate that when Thom Downing and Tracey Gropper attended a pancake-breakfast fundraiser years ago at the Rancho Shopping Center in Los Altos, they noticed space available for rent. They had been searching for a place to establish a gym and launch their dream careers as physical-fitness trainers.

The sense of closeness among the residents suited their common philosophy – to live and work in a tight-knit community that supported them. In return, they wanted to give back to that community.

“That’s what’s made us successful – maintaining that dedication to charity,” said Tracey Downing, now married to Thom for three years and herself a cancer survivor.

It’s been more than seven years since FIT (Focused Individual Training) opened its doors in June 2000, and the couple continue to support local and national organizations, with an added bonus – their family of clients and trainers join in to support the causes close to the Downings’ hearts.

For a second year, FIT’s trainers and clients of all ages, and FIT’s national affiliates under CrossFIT, partnered with Athletes for a Cure to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation Sept. 29.

During “Fight Gone Bad II,” FIT raised more than $33,000 for the foundation, representing 12 percent of the $277,000 raised nationally. Last year, the gym raised more than $22,000 for the same cause, according to FIT trainer and event coordinator Analisa Naldi.

Nestled in the north corner of the shopping center, FIT’s 48 participants, including school-age children, adults and trainers, completed 12,389 repetitions by the end of the day, placing fourth among CrossFIT affiliates.

The contributions and the age range of the participants reflect FIT’s growing and inclusive demographics, which the Downings attribute to their team of 20 dedicated trainers.

“As far as our staff goes, we have the smartest, most well-read, thoughtful and energetic trainers,” Thom said.

Thom said it was the trainers who suggested fitness programs for children (FIT Kids), teenagers (FIT Teens) and children with special needs (FIT Buddies). Trainers also created the FIT Barbell Club, Thom said.

Giving children the opportunity to train in Olympic weightlifting replaces the lack of physical education in the schools, Tracey said.

“We want to make it fun and give them a good experience,” she said.

The fitness program benefiting children with special needs has kept some of them off such medicines as Ritalin, Thom said.

With clients 7-97 years old, working out is a family affair as parents work machines and weights while children run courses outside, jumping hurdles and rope.

“We train the athlete in everyone,” Thom said, stressing that FIT trainers never promote fad diets or workouts, but rather common-sense workouts based on Olympic weightlifting training, which has been around for centuries.

Along with the Downings, FIT’s team of 20 trainers strives to offer a fun, friendly and supportive atmosphere, encourage clients and provide guidance. Naldi said that the festive atmosphere was part of the Sept. 29 fundraiser as friends and families of the 48 competitors showed up in droves to cheer on the athletes.

FIT’s trainers comb athletic and medical journals for the latest information on physical fitness and health. Published on FIT’s Web site, the newsletter is free. There is also a forum for questions, where trainers offer free advice – another way the team serves the community.

Through the years, Thom and Tracey have raised thousands of dollars for the national Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the local Relay For Life, teamed with Covington School PTA for the pancake breakfast fundraiser, which had become defunct, and recently partnered with the Police Athletic League to sponsor eight underprivileged children for fitness training at FIT.

“We do our best to never say ‘no’ to a fundraiser,” Thom said.

Now with two children of their own, Jake, 2, and Emma, 6 weeks, being a part of the Los Altos community is more important than ever.

With Rancho’s motto, “Large enough to serve you, small enough to know you,” Tracey said she knew Los Altos would be the perfect place to work and live.

“It’s a personal business,” Tracey said. “It’s relationship based.”

For more information, call 947-9831 or visit www.focusedtrainers.com.