B.E. Fitness and Training set to open Dec. 1

 

The new B.E. Fitness and Training Center (formerly B.E. Somebody Fitness) on John Drive is set to open just in  time for the holiday season, Dec. 1.

The public is invited to tour the renovated fitness and training center Nov. 21-23 and Nov. 28-30 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. At that time, you can also sign up and pay your membership dues as well.

After the New Year, they will start offering fitness classes.

Bud and Georgia Johnson purchased the facility earlier this year, located across the street from their Eastern Iowa Sports Facility/MinnTex. They brought in Emily Michels as the sports and marketing director for the EISF. Michels said her concern was where to conduct indoor softball training sessions with the EISF occupied October through January.

“The gym situation was up in the air,” she said.

Bud Johnson said then Andrea Hall came into the picture when she approached them about possibly reopening the fitness center.

“I knew it was closed,” said Hall, “and wanted a place to take fitness classes.”

Johnson said with interest from Hall and Michels, and after talking to people in the community who missed the gym being open, he decided to reopen it.

“I felt this was something we could do,” he said.

Both Hall and Michels will be present at the fitness center the days they are open, and will also conduct classes as well.

Johnson said he wanted to incorporate Michels’ background into the business, with a degree in exercise science from the University of Dubuque.

B.E. Fitness will be open six days a week: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. They will be closed on Sunday. The office inside the fitness center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Our hope is to always have someone here,” Johnson said of accessibility.

Interior demolition began around Aug. 1. Johnson also wanted to expand upon the parking, which will also benefit the EISF during its busy seasons.

“Parking was a major investment,” said Johnson.

Inside, interior walls were taken down to open up the space. Johnson said the east side of the facility, which will house the spin classes and indoor softball training, saw the biggest change.

They also purchased all new equipment throughout the entire fitness center, including TVs.

“With the new equipment,” explained Michels, “we want to plan for a four- to five-year replacement. It wears out.”

Some of the new equipment includes ellipticals, cross-trainers, rowing machines, a stair climber, treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights and more throughout the strength and cardio rooms.

They also completely revamped the sauna room into something Johnson calls a “commercial sauna.” It can fit from eight to 10 people.

There will be a plethora of classes available to members and non-members of B.E. Fitness. The facility is now a franchise location for Les Mills fitness programs with certified instructors. Hall said some of their fitness programs from Les Mills include RPMTM (cycling/spin classes) and BODYPUMPTM, which gives one the total body workout.

Additional classes include: group fitness classes, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), tabata, yoga, and general boot camp classes.

With so many people glued to technology these days, Johnson said another reason for the classes is to allow people to socialize.

“You also see more gym retention with classes like this,” added Hall. “It’s something people can look forward to.”

The membership to B.E. Fitness (which stands for “Be Exceptional” and “Be Extraordinary”) is $35 a month. Use of the sauna is $5 a month.

“We wanted to make that service (the sauna) a little more exclusive,” said Johnson of offering men- and women-only days.

Members will also receive discounts on the fitness classes. Hall is setting up a website and mobile app where people can view the schedule of classes, sign up and pay all at once.

Johnson said, “I’m excited to see people utilize the fitness center again.”

A lot of work went into the remodel project inside B.E. Fitness and Training Center. Work began in early August, and the facility is set to open on Dec. 1.

The use of the commercial sauna room will be an additional cost to both members and non-members. The room can fit eight to 10 people comfortably.

The strength-training area inside B.E. Fitness offers members use of free weights and various weight-lifting machines.

Bud and Georgia Johnson purchased and will reopen B.E. Fitness and Training Center on John Drive in Monticello. Aside from interior renovations, there is additional parking outside. (Photos by Kim Brooks)