KX Yorkville is a lifestyle brand providing specially designed 12-week programs for people looking to make a healthy change; but their goals have now stretched beyond just fitness.
The brand's most recent addition is a coffee shop and market boasting an array of products, including meat, cheese and wine for customers to incorporate into their every day. KX hadn't opened the market or cafe prior to COVID-19 either. In fact, the pivot came about as a result of the pandemic, which turned out to be a business-altering move, as it allowed them to remain open, whilst their gym stayed closed.
Adriano Martorano, owner and founder, describes KX as 'a health facility... you come in, we assess your health needs and what you see in here [the coffee shop and market] is a reflection of what we advocate within the lifestyle component of our 12-week program."
KX is big on balance and tailoring lifestyle programs that are actually sustainable and realistic. In order to achieve a long-lasting change a person needs to enjoy the process, and part of that means being able to eat and drink delicious foods.
"You're gonna drink coffee, you're gonna drink wine," explained Adriano, "But let it be good wine."
It's about viable alternatives. Foods that would otherwise be considered bad for you or a treat, don't need to be avoided entirely, rather they can be enjoyed via a healthy means.
For example, wine––or alcohol in general––tends not to be associated with long-lasting health, but KX takes a different stance on the matter.
"Diets don't work long term, people cannot maintain those habits," says Peter Alexandropolous, the manager at KX. "So understanding how we can enjoy wine where it won't be detrimental to our health is part of what we're bringing to the table."
The message is moderation. KX is re-shaping the narrative around what's healthy by incorporating the beneficial aspects of drinking wine, eating cheese and enjoying food into a well-balanced lifestyle.
KX has achieved the aforementioned by opting for a selection of all-natural wine, meaning it doesn't contain pesticides, preservatives or sulphates, and that each bottle is totally unique in flavour. They also have charcuterie options 'waiting to go' as soon as the place is allowed to serve food again; not to mention that the meat they serve is locally sourced and 'lifestyle raised.' Similarly, their cheeses are raw, and sourced primarily on a local level.
Their main motivation when seeking out product is quality.
"We try everything," says Alexandropolous. "We pretty much bring things that we enjoy ourselves. When it comes to the wine or the cheese or the meats, it's about going around Toronto and seeing what the city has to offer."
Moreover, all the food they prepare and serve is available in the market, ensuring everything is at their customers' fingertips.
KX Yorkville is located at 263 Davenport Road.
