By Lauren Matheny, Staff Writer
Synergy Nutrition, a smoothie bar and fitness center, opened last week, aiming to provide a “healthy hangout” for students.
OCU alumnus Jeffrey Richard and his partner, Christy Jackson, designed the eatery and fitness center with students in mind, offering free Wi-Fi, a lounge area, and Herbalife smoothies and products.
The smoothies are advertised as offering the nutritional value of a full meal for 220 calories, and they come in flavors like Reese’s, Snickers and Cinnabon.
Along with the shakes, Synergy serves an herbal tea with a supplement that is purported to increase metabolic rates.
After purchasing the combo for $6.50, customers can access the fitness classes that occur at Synergy throughout the day for free.
Fitness classes include popular activities like Zumba and CrossFit, several of which are taught by OCU students.
Richard knows many OCU students are under pressure to remain fit and healthy.
“The students have no healthy spots to grab a snack or hang out,” Richard said. “I wanted to fill that void with a shop that allowed them to be proactively healthy.”
Richard said he believes in developing a personal relationship between his staff and customers.
“Our number one priority is to get people feeling better,” Richard said. “We offer free wellness consultations, so people can become educated on how to get fit.
“The difference at Synergy is that you have a coach.”
Synergy Nutrition also plans to host events in the future catering to students, including competitions for weight loss and fitness goals.
Mollie Craven, acting senior, visited Synergy last week and said she will return.
“The passion of the owner for making students healthier is very evident,” Craven said. “Plus, the shakes are a good way to get a full meal of nutrients in without taking in a bunch of calories, and they taste good.”
Jordan Beall, dance performance sophomore, works as a Zumba instructor at Synergy.
He said he thinks students enjoy the fitness center because of its focus on interactive group workouts.
“It’s a very accepting environment here,” Beall said. “All of the classes are about having fun with your friends while doing a healthy activity.”
Leave a Reply