12/27/2006 8:59:00 AM New workout facility in
Mabel promises to be 'user-friendly'
New workout facility in Mabel.
By Ace Hendricks
The residents of Mabel will have their own fitness facility to work out at very soon and, according to owners Terry and Jean Ingvalson, it has been something that the community has needed for some time.
"There has been a need for something like this for a while," explained Jean Ingvalson. "I didn't feel like we should have to drive to other communities to exercise, and now, with our facility, people in Mabel won't have to."
New U Fitness, located in the Village Furniture building officially opened on Tuesday to the public and is a 24-hour, seven-day a week keyless entry facility.
"We want people to come and have fun," said Jean. "We don't want it to just be a workout; we want them to enjoy it."
The facility has several cardio-vascular machines, which include two treadmills, two bikes and two elliptical machines; upper and lower body strength machines, barbells for free weight workouts and the popular exercise ball and exercise bands.
The equipment was purchased from Second Wind - a very popular used or nearly new workout franchise. According to Jean they searched around before deciding to go with Second Wind. They had traveled to the La Crosse location and then were referred to the company's Commercial Division in the Twin Cities.
From there, Second Wind sent a company representative to look over the facility to see what would work best for the proposed workout center.
"We have very easy operating machines," explained Jean. "They are user-friendly and are in extremely good shape."
The center will also have a lounge area with a television and a stereo system for those working out to listen to.
The idea for a fitness and workout center isn't new to the Mabel area. For some time opinions have been expressed about how and where to have one and, according to Jean, she hadn't originally planned on being the person to follow through with the product.
"We had some others who had really expressed the desire to have one," said Jean, "but the one main problem was space; where to put it. That was an issue."
Then after about two years of thought, Jean and Terry decided early last summer they would follow through with the idea. From there it took time and energy that wasn't directly related to working out.
"Since this area was one of our furniture display areas," explained Jean, looking over the workout area, "we had a lot of things we had to get done before we could even think of the equipment."
First, they needed to find a space to put the existing merchandise. Then a wall was put up to separate the furniture store from the workout area and a bathroom had to be built for customers.
"It's been a lot of work getting it ready," stated Jean, "but its exciting knowing that it's almost ready to open. Interest has been really high and that's encouraging."
Jean explained there will be separate payment plans for those wanting to use the center. For those wanting to sign a 12-month contract, the cost will be $30 per month, plus tax. For those wanting to pay from month-to-month, without a year contract, the cost will be $40 dollars a month, plus tax. A Blue Cross/Blue Shield Wellness Plan will also be available.
On Dec. 29, free demonstrations of the equipment and dietary consultations will be held for the public at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. to give those interested a look at the facility.
Also, for the first few months, there will be someone monitoring the facility to answer general workout questions. Those hours are scheduled to be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
"We want people to know that they can come here and workout and not have to worry about what time they do that," expressed Jean. "People have different schedules, and with a 24-hour facility they will be able to keep a schedule that is good for them."
