Harold Kite grasped the handles of the weight machine and lunged forward while executing a butterfly press.
Kite was toning up, not bulking up.
"We're not really going to train for the beach here," he said.
Big muscles are fine, but it's wellness that concerns Kite, a lean and lanky adventure fitness trainer who recently launched Well Fit gym at the Brighton Village Shops.
Kite and his wife bought a house here in 2003 and moved in this past June.
They previously resided 10 years in Los Angeles and 10 in San Francisco, where Kite lived the golden life, training everyone from former pro football player Howie Long to venture capitalists to "grandmas and grandpas."
"This is the third time I'm re-creating myself," said Kite, whose friends call him "H.K." or "Ki."
He bicycles with his clients. He hikes and kayaks and climbs and works out with them.
A mountain bike stands tall on the roof rack of his car.
A Cybex Functional Trainer machine occupies center stage in his gym at 1183 Erbs Quarry Road, across Fruitville Pike from Bent Creek. An ice axe leans against the wall.
But the heart of the business lies in Kite's brain and nerve endings and muscles, honed from years of guiding people down the fitness path.
"I have a motivational personality," Kite said.
His "fun" contracts with clients set realistic goals while encouraging each person to reach full potential. He tries to inspire people one-on-one. He started with himself.
"I was 200 pounds in eighth grade," he recalled. He trimmed down and later bicycled from London to North Africa.
Family ties and business opportunities drew Kite east.
Now, he said, he's reveling in the rolling hills and fresh air of Amish country.
"Very active people here," he said. "I already have one guy lined up for a trip to Mount Katahdin, Maine."
Background: Kite, a Jackson, N.J., native, earned a psychology degree from Lock Haven University and studied training at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is certified as a personal trainer by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
He and his wife, Christina Stavrinou Kite, an East Petersburg native, live in Manheim.
Age: A very, very, very young 47.
When I was growing up: I always wanted to be an athlete.
My mother always told me: There's no guarantee on tomorrow. My mom was a brittle diabetic [who passed away at age 56].
My first real job: I ran a front-end loader at a sand plant. It paid for my car. Paid for my trip to Europe.
The secret to fitness: Hard work. Desire. I don't believe in potions and lotions. I don't believe in pills and frills.
Favorite sports: Mountain biking and hiking. But if you know how the muscles work, you can train any athlete for any sport.
My favorite foods: Proteins and greens. If you're training with me you're going to eat this too!
One thing that surprised me about Lancaster: Since we bought our home five years ago, five Starbucks popped up. Coming from California you get hooked on some good coffee.
People would be surprised to know that I: Moved here from California. Sometimes the politics get a little nutty out there. Small business owners are hurting out there.
My training destinations include: The Grand Canyon, down to the river and back. Mount Shasta. Half Dome and El Capitan. Lake Tahoe ... I try to teach people to take care of themselves no matter where they are.
For a great vacation try: Vancouver Island. It's gorgeous. You've got Whistler for skiing. You've got kayaking with orcas.
When I'm not leading clients I love following: Politics. I don't know about this new guy [Barack Obama] but I'm willing to give him a chance.
Favorite writers and books: Jack Kerouac, "On the Road." That probably changed my life when I was young. I also love Ernest Hemingway. I've been reading a lot of Thomas Friedman lately.
Favorite artist: Neil Young was a neighbor of my clients in Woodside, Calif. I've always been a Neil Young fan.
Jon Rutter is a staff writer for the Sunday News. His e-mail address is jrutter@lnpnews.com.
