Milton Resident Offers the Community 'Kneaded' Therapy

Creating a workout environment that is “non-threatening” is top priority for Maureen Conlon, the nationally-certified muscular therapist and certified personal trainer whose small business, Kneaded Therapy, has been a recent driving force in the health of many Milton women.

Conlon’s business seems to be a personification of the term “tough love” with equal parts intense, cardio-driven boot camp workouts and soothing massage services.

“I like to offer a variety," said Conlon. “Every workout is different each time...I offer deep tissue massage, sports massage and massage for cancer patients out of my home."

Physical fitness and health have been passions of Conlon, a Milton resident, since her college days at Suffolk University.

“I was never really athletic in high school…but then I started running in college and I loved how it made me feel…and I always had a goal to work towards, whether it be a 5K or the Boston Marathon," said Conlon, who has run 13 marathons.

The trainer tries to pass on her goal-oriented enthusiasm to all of her clients, which she believes is the key to “not getting stale."

Transforming a passion into a career was a move Conlon made more than a decade ago when she started an exercise program exclusively for women at Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s Community Education Department called “Strength Training for Women."

Conlon began training in the Chestnut Hill area in 1996 and with the success of the first program, returned to her alma mater and to offer a workout program to the students of called “Fit for Prom” in 2010.

Conlon began her boot camp training sessions and became connected with the , of which she is now a board member. 

Most recently, Conlon started the Walking Club last spring where she motivates clients ages 30 to 60 years old as they walk around Milton as a group.

All of Conlon’s community involvement has led to a strong client following, mostly of “Milton moms who were never really gym people [but] who find the group workouts therapeutic."

Accrediting much of her client retention rate to word of mouth, Conlon said, “most of my business is based on referral, but I would like to figure out a way to expand the massage aspect."

When asked how she sets herself apart from the big name gyms, Conlon emphasizes the outdoor and social aspects, adding many of her programs offer a time to unwind from a busy day.

“We go on field trips,” laughed Conlon. "We go to Carson Beach and the Blue Hills." 

Conlon also strives to provide her services at fair, competitive prices with her upcoming at Fontbonne Academy. Conlon offers her boot camps at beginner and advanced levels for $8 per class on a Monday and Wednesday schedule for an eight-week session and $12 per class on a one and a half hour Saturday schedule.

She also offers drop-in rates at $10 a class for weekdays and $15 for Saturdays.

With expanding her business in mind, Conlon will hold a “Bring A Guy for Free” Boot Camp on September 17, a “Beginner’s Bootcamp” in early October and a hold a “” on October 1 to raise money for the Council on Aging.

Stressing the importance of her services, Conlon mentioned that many of her clients do things all day for other people and the programs are “a moment to do something for your health… and that’s something for yourself."

Sign-ups for Kneaded Therapy’s next session of boot camps are going on now and classes will begin on September 12. For more information on Kneaded Therapy, visit http://www.kneadedtherapy.info