By Sherri Blevins
Most people in DeKalb County have probably heard of Body Vision Fitness Center in Rainsville, many of which are faithful members. If you are one of those people, you probably know Fitness Trainer Aki Ishiwatari. If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet him, you have missed a blessing. Aki announced earlier this year that he is ready for a new challenge and will leave Body Vision to pursue a math degree and become a teacher.
I met Aki over twenty years ago when I signed up as a Body Vision member. He is the type of person who remembers everyone’s name and makes them feel like they are very special. He inspires those around him to be their best and pushes them to work hard to be physically fit. He sets an example of that by pushing himself to be his best. You may have seen him running along Highway 35 or doing lunges from one end of Rainsville to another. He is an inspiration. For example, he has a goal to complete 50 state half-marathons and has already completed 27.
Aki is not originally from DeKalb County but has made it his home. He lived in Japan until the 1990s and graduated from Kanto International High School in Tokyo in 1990. He moved to Alabama to attend college and graduated from Jacksonville State University in December 1997 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise and Wellness. Three years later, in 2000, Aki joined the staff at Body Vision which opened in September 1999. He has been a fixture since then.
I asked Aki what he enjoyed about his career. He said, “I have enjoyed meeting so many people. Everyone was very unique. As a trainer, I enjoyed helping people get the best strength out of them because so many didn’t know how strong they really were.” His hashtag is #unlimitedtortureforfun.
I also spoke with some Body Vision members about Aki’s influence on them. Donna Logan stated,
“Aki is an inspiration to everyone he meets inside and outside of the gym. His method of exercise instruction keeps you looking forward to class. He has excellent people skills. He knows how to motivate you whether you are new to exercise or a seasoned “never miss a class” type of person. He will not push you past your limit, but he will make you strive to push yourself to work hard to achieve rewarding results. Everyone loves Aki and calls him their friend because he makes everyone he meets seem special. However, we have a pet name for him that doesn’t sound quite so friendly after a difficult workout. It is all in good fun. I am thankful that we have Aki, and he is dedicated to pushing us to be the best we can be.” ( Aki may be persuaded to teach a few night classes.)
Laurel Patton said, “Aki Ishwater is my workout, Guru. I had been doing water aerobics and working out at Fitness First, but when they closed down, so did I.
After Covid, when the world started opening back up, I joined Body Vision and Aki’s water aerobics class. He took the time to correct me if I wasn’t doing an exercise right, to stand with my head held high and my shoulders back, and to be my best self!!
I slowly began his land classes after about a year and a half. Believe me, that was a challenge, but he also guided me to do what I could there. I have been getting stronger every week.
He now encourages me to take over his water aerobics class when he leaves…Big shoes to fill, but I will do my best. Thank you, Aki, my guide and my friend!!”
Aki shared his plans to change careers in a Facebook post in March. He said, “July will be my last month working full-time at Body Vision. I’ve decided to pursue a Master’s Degree so that I can teach mathematics. It wasn’t an easy decision, but teaching math has always been one of my dreams, and I want to make it happen before it’s too late. I know I’ve got a long way to go, but I am extremely excited about the beginning of my new chapter.”
Aki thanked everyone that has been a part of his life at Body Vision for the past 23 years. He issued a very special thank you to all he has worked with in the past, especially to Body Vision owner Davy Willingham and his family, who Aki said had been his family since Day 1.
Aki has a loving family in Japan, and he credits his parents as having the biggest influence on his life. He said, “If you see anything positive in me, it’s from them. They have taught me that every negative has its positive; put the good out, and good will come to you.” Aki is also a newlywed marrying his beautiful bride Dana Pendergrass Ishiwatari in 2021.
MVN wishes the best for the Ishiwatari couple as they start this new chapter together. Aki’s future math students better be ready to train their minds to be their best!