20-Year-Old Fitness Entrepreneur "Creative and Professional"

Growing up, trainer Zave Perkins had a passion for being physically fit. After a neighbor gave him some free weights to try, Perkins was hooked. 

He bought the book, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, taught himself about proper nutrition, and threw himself into the pursuit of powerlifting.

“I wasn’t that into playing team sports,” said Perkins, who is respectfully cut and muscular, with a blonde buzz cut.

Though he understands the allure of the big-box exercise gyms, Perkins never much cared for those type of workout facilities. Instead, he believes one-on-one training procures steadier and more formidable results.

During his senior year at in 2009, Perkins investigated the possibility of making a career out of physical fitness and landed an internship with Devin Wirt, an exercise physiologist in South Jersey. At the time, Wirt was working at the Hit Doctor Baseball and Softball Academy in Mount Laurel, giving comprehensive training and teaching technical drills to elementary kids, said Perkins.

“We saw about four or five kids a night and helped them train,” he said. 

From that early experience, Perkins said he learned when it comes to exercising, a trainer has to adapt to everyone’s body type. 

Eighteen months ago, Perkins began Mission Fitness, LLC. He now administers daily workouts in a 1,000-square-foot room with mirrors and a softly padded floor behind . (He’s the oldest son of the family that owns the popular nursery.) Surrounding the room are weights, rubber balls and a host of multi-gym stations.

He also leads boot camp classes a couple times a week in his studio and organizes exercise groups at area apartment complexes.

And for a young guy—just 20—Perkins seems to have a sensibility about his chosen career and clients.

“I like to tell my clients, ‘Don’t let anything hold you back. You can do anything you want if you really try,’” said Perkins of his following, mostly developed by word of mouth. 

“His age makes no difference to me. He’s knowledgeable and very patient. His youth is his asset,” said Patti Smith, one of Perkins’ clients.

Last year, Smith, 58, won a couple of visits with Perkins at a fundraiser. At the time, she had fluid around her knee, had begun experiencing arthritis and was walking with a cane. 

“The strength training helped tremendously,” said the Cinnaminson resident, who feels healthier and stronger, and is ambulating easier. 

Connie Gleckler, 58, was referred to Perkins through a massage therapist about a year ago. She had hip issues that were causing a myriad of problems—but mostly a consistent pain was hobbling her. Since working out with Perkins, Gleckler, of Cherry Hill, said she feels less pain and has more strength on that side of her body.

Gleckler added, “Zave is creative and professional in his workouts. Last year I went waterskiing for the first time in 10 years.”

When asked if she was able to show it off out there on the water, Gleckler replied quickly, “You bet! I did a loop, and it was great!”

Mission Fitness, LLC, is located at 198 Route 130, Cinnaminson, NJ. Contact Zave Perkins at 609-304-4754.