In January, fitness centers are usually buzzing places. Many people resolve to increase their physical activity, lose weight, or make a lifestyle change. At the Clarion Fitness Center, this typically means lines for cardio equipment, lots of foot traffic and memberships booming. Unfortunately, the facility is not seeing that early-year flood currently.
Like many businesses, the local fitness center was hit hard due to the coronavirus. Gyms were mandated to be closed for several weeks early on in the pandemic. When they did open up, people were not exactly rushing back. Fitness Center Manager Lisa Russell says, “It’s really been a struggle since COVID hit.” She explained that folks were and are understandably nervous about coming back to work out. The mask mandate, though Russell stresses she supports it, makes exercising a little trickier as well.
Fitness classes that are often a draw from many people had to be put on hold. Russell had just got started introducing new, exciting classes like boxing and pilates. There was even a class tailored for people with Parkinson’s Disease. But, again due to state mandates and other difficulties, these classes have paused.
All this combined has left the Clarion Fitness Center in a tight spot. Board member Steve Haberman confirms memberships of all kinds, from corporate, to families, to individuals, are down. They are concerned what missing that January and February membership rush will mean for the rest of the year. Board member Sherri O’Brien added, “We’ve lost memberships in addition to people losing their enthusiasm for being there. It’s pretty quiet in there now.”
Russell said the slow times may have an immediate and lasting impact. She explains that a fitness center requires a huge amount of maintenance, especially now. Equipment breaks down and is expensive to fix. Deep cleaning is necessary but has a cost, as do continued improvements to attract new folks.
Everyone involved in the fitness center commented about how detrimental it would be to lose that resource in Clarion. Haberman asserted, “The facility has always been a gathering place. It’s something we cannot do without, from both a physical and mental health standpoint.”
O’Brien concurred, stating, “The place is a lot of different things to different people. For some, it’s a social opportunity to meet with friends and workout. For others, it’s a daily routine and part of living well. And some people use it as a place to get away and unplug.”
Faithful fitness center-goer Alice Espe explained what the facility means to her. Espe, who is 93 years old, says she tries to make it there five times a week. “I don’t know what I’d do without it. At my age, I need the exercise. I can tell the difference when I don’t make it in.” She adds that she has returned to the fitness center since it reopened and feels completely safe there. (Russell emphasizes that it is deep cleaned every week.)
The staff and board confirm that the best thing people can do to make sure that the fitness center is here well into the future is renew that membership or join. Haberman said, “When COVID settles down, it would be great to see that thing flooded again with new and returning members.”
Russell said they also have been lucky to receive some other forms of help. Between a grant from the Wright County Charitable Foundation and donations, she says it is all appreciated. People or organizations who are interested in helping that way can donate to the fitness center, which is a non-profit organization. Russell has worked to make this opportunity even more exciting by offering a donation-based Zoom fitness class later this month (see the Clarion Fitness Center’s Facebook page for details on that as well as how to contribute to the center in general).
Russell is also hoping people come in to take a look at what’s new in the last year. They have a new rubber floor with plenty of space for activity. They also redid a room downstairs, added spin bikes to it as well as moving some of the elliptical machines down there. The room is complete with a fresh coat of paint and TVs.
To see all the exciting things the facility has to offer, including improvements and news on classes, people can visit the Fitness Center’s Facebook page. Russell also says that they are always happy to give people tours. The building is staffed Monday through Thursday 4-7 p.m.
Russell concluded, “We’re really looking forward to better times where members come back in, the place is alive with classes and we can expand and grow.” O’Brien added, “We’d love to see the place busy again with people excited to be there, pursuing whatever type of fitness you choose.”
