Raleigh fitness studio offers free classes for breast cancer survivors

Louise Adams, 61, has always walked for exercise. After Adams survived her second bout with breast cancer, her daughter, Sherry Woodson-Ringer, challenged her to do more.

Woodson-Ringer and business partner Mike Winkfield opened "Way of Living Fit," a Raleigh fitness studio that offers free help for survivors like Adams. For several years, Woodson-Ringer helped her mom organize their "Race for the Cure" fundraising team, and their journey inspired a special invitation for all breast cancer survivors.

"I thought, OK, let me try it -- and I've been coming ever since," Adams said.

"Our business allowed them to come, you know, free of charge and just work out," Woodson-Ringer said. "Fellowship, fitness, everything."

Classes at the fitness studio offer plenty of variety. Some have a fast paced "boot camp" approach where participants move quickly through exercise stations.

"We keep it functional -- so that it's easy for any fitness level," Winkfield said. "Anybody who wants to try it can do it."

Breast cancer survivor Yvette Franklin, 55, was not intimidated by the challenge.

"No challenge is one that I don't feel like I can overcome," Franklin said. "Because dealing with breast cancer was a hard challenge."

"To be able to come in here and have a group of people that are supportive of you -- and cheering you on -- is awesome," Woodson-Ringer said.