By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Last Monday, Hays Nutrition opened its doors in the Hadley Center, 205 E. Seventh, with the goal of providing an outlet to help area residents meet their fitness goals with nutritious shakes and teas.

The shop is the second for Kayla Heronemus and her fiance and co-owner Jordan Ward.

After attending Bethany College and trying her hand in another field, she saw nutrition shops opening in Salina, sparking an interest in opening her own location in near her alma mater in Lindsborg.

“Health and nutrition is a big part of my life,” said Heronemus, who has been certified as a personal trainer and in fitness nutrition. “I love to work out and help people with their goals.”

With Hays, she saw another opportunity after finding success working with student-athletes at her first location.

“In Lindsborg, we were very active with the college,” she said. “We donated money to the athletes’ awards and helped with their banquet. We are very close with the coaches as well. We give the team free teas sometimes before the practices and protein shakes after their practices.”

Meal replacement options in the shop are often healthier and faster than some of the other options they may have in the cafeteria or fast food locations in town, she said.

“It helps heal their bodies and helps them recover since they are so active, with all of their practices and hours of work,” Heronemus said. “I’m focused on something that is fast, and nutritious as well.”

In the shop, they offer protein shakes that can work as a supplement or as a meal replacement.

“People can come in here and get a quick breakfast, lunch or snack,” she said.

They also carry energy teas.

“They boost your metabolism and they burn calories, but they have caffeine in them,” Heronemus said.

In an effort to help people achieve their fitness goals, Heronemus said she uses challenges to keep them on track.

“I have done six-week challenges where I have helped them with their meal plan. It all ties together,” she said. “They use the products and they lose or gain weight or muscle. Whatever their goals are, I help them with that.”

Signing up to a challenge, however, is not required.

“Even if they don’t want to do a challenge, they can sign up for a plan and get started on their journey, whether that be weight loss, weight gain, muscle gain or body fat loss,” she said. “They all tie together.”

While the shop offers nutritional beverages that are ready to drink, they also offer the same mixes the shop uses for anyone to purchase and make at home.

“The shop is a gateway to get into the products,” Heronemus said. “They can buy the product and make it at home or they can buy something small, whatever they want to do.”

While the location’s address is listed as Seventh Street, it is easier accessed on Eighth, just west of the Hadley Center courtyard.

Hays Nutrition is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

More information about the location can be found on their facebook page by clicking here.