Reach your peak

Patricia Nugent • January 12, 2026

Kyle Hotz’s career has returned to its roots in Medina, as the founder of Higher Heights Fitness brings his elite, science-backed personal training to the community where his journey began.

A person holds a golden puppy in front of a wall mural that reads

After moving to Arizona and pursuing other career opportunities, Cleveland drew Higher Heights Fitness Owner Kyle Hotz back home, and he opened his first training studio in Brecksville in 2021. He’s pictured with the studio’s adorable mascot pup Navy. (Photography: Adrienne Rose)


If you like a good “come full circle” story, you’ll love the career trajectory of Kyle Hotz.


This trainer and owner of the newly opened Higher Heights Fitness in Medina started working at this very studio when he graduated from the University of Cincinnati. Then, he moved to Arizona in 2019 and pursued other career opportunities like being an EMT and firefighter, but Cleveland drew him back home, and he opened Higher Heights training studio in Brecksville in 2021.


“When I found out the lease was up and the owner of the first studio I started at wanted to move on, it was a no-brainer to expand with a Higher Heights studio here in Medina,” he says. 


What makes his training protocol different than other boutique studios? It’s all about helping people reach their peak performance through a science-backed, elite level of training from a close-knit staff that feels like family.


Within three plush, ultra-private training suites, Kyle and Manager Betsy Willis take members through progressive, functional workouts uniquely designed to their needs and goals.


“We are metrics-focused; our trainers track every part of a workout on tablets,” says Kyle. “We’re not the studio that hopes to sign up people in January because of New Year’s resolutions. Our training model is to build on achievable and sustainable long-term goals. They tend to stay with us for years.” 



Adding Value The Higher Heights Way

Innovation has been elemental to Kyle in offering members a well-rounded experience to reach their personal best.


He’s partnered with a local service called Unrefined that specializes in healthy prepared meals.

“These fresh-made, from-scratch meals are dietician-approved and delicious,” he says.


Most recently, he invested in industry-specific software to introduce convenient virtual coaching via the app Everfit. 


“This hybrid training mode opens doors to a more efficient level of training,” he says. “On days members don’t want to come into the studio, they’ve enjoyed seeing their customized workouts pop up on their phone from their trainer, with suggested weights and instructional videos.”



Higher Heights’ Personal Nutrition Program also operates through Everfit. Nutrition Coach Brendan Faloon will review your current eating habits and customize a healthy, balanced diet, complete with recipes loaded with macronutrients, to improve your overall well-being.


Meet Cassie K.

Studies have shown the importance of strength training for pregnant women as a means of easing discomfort like back pain, boosting sagging energy levels and mood, and building strength and stamina needed for labor.


Cassie K. began training at Higher Heights during the second trimester of her oldest child, who is now 22 months. When she became pregnant again (the baby was born a few weeks ago), the busy 30-something mom appreciated the effectiveness of personalized workouts.


Her trainer, Joe Bower, says the sessions evolved as her pregnancy did.


“She didn’t want to lose any of the strength she’d worked so hard to build; it doesn’t take long for muscles to atrophy,” says Joe. “Every pregnancy is unique and comes with its own issues to address. Near the end of her pregnancy, we focused on shoulders, back and arms since she’d be doing a lot of lifting the baby soon.”


Cassie says, “Continuing to train throughout my pregnancies helped me with back pain, to retain lean muscle mass and was a beneficial preparation for labor and the physical demands of caring for a newborn. I also feel like it improved my mood and overall well-being.”


In addition to Medina, Higher Heights Fitness has locations in Brecksville and Lakewood.


Higher Heights Fitness

3725 Medina Road, Suite #106, Medina

330-952-1728

HigherHeightsFitness.com

  • Three people stand and sit in front of a black gym power rack in an indoor space with light-gray walls and black flooring.

    Slide title

    The Higher Heights Fitness team leads progressive, functional workouts that are uniquely designed to meet needs and goals.

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  • A person smiling, wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and black pants, standing in front of a logo on a gray wall.

    Slide title

    Cassie K. started with Higher Heights while pregnant to help with back pain and to retain lean muscle mass.

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Mimi Reader Deal!


Mention you read this story in Mimi and receive a free one-hour fitness consultation and assessment, a $149 value. Offer good through Saturday, February 28, 2026.

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