GoodBodies History
GoodBodies began in 1993 in a small storefront in Kinston, NC where owner operator Ed Smith Jr. “Little Ed” leased a portion of the old family owned Smith and Barrow building on 258 N from his Uncle. At the time Little Ed also ran a used car business out of the same location. To help out around the car lot and the gym Little Ed hired his 14-year-old cousin Justin Tart to work part time after school. Justin would work at the gym until 2001 when he left town to attend college. GoodBodies became a popular community gathering place. The gym was more like a family than a business. As membership increased GoodBodies outgrew its current location and in 1999 a new facility was built on Hull Rd. In addition to the new location the World Gym franchise was added. World Gym operated until 2005 when Little Ed decided to sell the gym to take advantage of other opportunities in the gym business. The new owners rebranded the gym as Build a Body Fitness.
Now things have come full circle. Justin Tart a Certified Financial Planner™, who grew up working and lifting at Goodbodies; and his cousin Little Ed a successful entrepreneur, have repurchased the old gym on Hull Rd. bringing GoodBodies back to Kinston and the North Lenoir area.
With the same spirit that drove the old GoodBodies club, the newly renovated facility will offer its members top-level Life Fitness and Hammerstrength machines, cutting-edge cardio, a modernized free-weight section, childcare, classes, and a well-equipped cross-training area.