Whether you are a competitive athlete seeking to bring your workout and recovery to the next level or a weekend warrior who'd like to add extra spring to your step after a long winter, a cutting-edge solution is as close as Mack Avenue opposite Grosse Pointe Farms.
That is the location of RAMP, an elite athletic performance and recovery facility that employs licensed strength coaches, athletic trainers, and massage therapists. RAMP stands for Recovery, Athletic Mobility, and Performance, an acronym chosen by owner and founder Erin Johnson to sum up RAMP's unique multidisciplinary approach. "We do many different things under one roof. We work with each client to design an individual plan based on their personal goals for strength and fitness," says Johnson. "All fitness levels and ages are welcome."
The 4,200-square-foot facility offers the following:
• Recovery lab
• Michigan's only hot and cold plunge bath that is open to the general public
• Compression boots
• Two Infrared saunas and a vitality booth (red light and salt booth) that restore health to mitochondria, soothe irritated skin, reset the Circadian rhythm for better restorative sleep, reduce inflammation and boost the immune system to help with colds and allergies
• Tune-up and assessments with licensed athletic trainers
• Bodywork and stretch sessions with licensed manual therapists
Treatment at RAMP helps alleviate chronic pain and the ability to manage stress. Clients report feeling really calm and sleeping really well after their sessions. "Our whole concept is to help you get to the issue's root. We want to work with you to make you feel better and move better," says Johnson. She is a Michigan native and current resident of Grosse Pointe Park, a licensed personal trainer, massage therapist, and mobility specialist. She honed her craft by working with performance athletes at training facilities in southern California before returning to southeast Michigan and taking on a role as a personal trainer at the Detroit Athletic Club. While training for her first triathlon, Johnson developed her business model.
"I learned all I could and reached out to owners to learn their best business practices," she reports. She incorporated those concepts into the latest technology when designing her new facility. "I developed a vision for a facility where I could stretch and train all in one place. I wanted to offer infrared saunas, red light, and hot and cold plunges because those things were making a difference in my life," Johnson explained. "I wanted everyone to have access to everything that helped me achieve my goals.
"The field of personal performance training is evolving rapidly because of biohacking. People want to live longer, healthier lives. RAMP is here to help." Johnson reports that most RAMP clients fall into two categories: middle and high school athletes and adults ages 45+. "However, we serve all ages," she says. "Our Recovery approach is super helpful to people ages 45 to 55 whose hormone levels change. We help manage that transition period, so they can continue achieving optimal results and maintain their fitness level throughout this time in their lives. "We also serve clients ages 55 and up. We want to be a great resource for Grosse Pointers committed to a vibrant, healthy lifestyle so they can enjoy time with their loved ones and maintain their well-being," says Johnson.
She draws great inspiration from her father and his fitness journey. She worked closely with him to customize a wellness plan after he was diagnosed with a serious illness. She firmly believes that every outcome can be maximized with a commitment to strength and recovery training and a solid nutrition plan. She is happy to report that her father is in great health, eight years after a serious diagnosis.
"I returned to Grosse Pointe with an idea to establish a fitness center that would be a resource for this community," reports Johnson. "I had a vision and a drive to fill a need because there was nothing like it in this area."
Erin Johnson and her professional staff may be unable to turn back the hands of time, but a visit will leave you feeling like they did. RAMP will help design a package specifically to your needs to "RAMP you up!" A four-pack session is $68, with mix' n match available. RAMP is open six days a week. It is located at 4849 Canyon Street, Detroit, with an entrance off Mack Avenue between Ace Hardware and E-Z Storage. For details, visit www.ramp-athletics.com or call 313-355-3840.
"The field of personal performance training is evolving rapidly because of biohacking. People want to live longer, healthier lives. RAMP is here to help."
