Brickhouse is a 24/7 fitness center owned and operated by Michelle Carter and Marlo Sarrett. They offer customized fitness programs to meet goals of losing weight, building muscle, or improving cardio and muscle tone. Carter plans to teach classes once they build a new facility on land they have on Highway 80. A time frame hasn’t been set due to dirt work needed on the property.
“Knox Ross is the driving force of why we are here,” said Carter, who was a teacher and stay-at home mom before opening the business in February, 2013. She coached junior high track and high school cheerleading at East Rankin Academy for two years and taught History and English at Puckett High School for ten years.
“I was driving to Brandon to exercise, and realized many others were too,” she said. “So, after Knox built the building, we opened for business.” A certified personal trainer, Carter said, “My teaching background has helped make Brickhouse successful.” She designs programs and interacts with her “fitness family,” at the gym. She is also a state board member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her partner, Sarrett, handles the books. “We had mostly 40-50-year-olds when we opened,” said Carter, “but now many teenagers, young adults and seniors workout throughout the day.” The center averages 300 members. They also offer free unlimited tanning only for members for $20 a month.
Brickhouse sponsors Project Graduation at both Pelahatchie and East Rankin. In addition to a donation, they will provide 50-75 t-shirts per school. She is married to Chris Carter, who operates a cattle and poultry farm south of town. They have two sons, Reed, 17, and Ben, 14.
For more information about Brickhouse Fitness Center, call 601-665-2788 or 601-506-9654.