How many times have you wished you had a bit more time to take care of yourself? You know, like going for a walk in town, or on the Nature Trail, just to be outside enjoying yourself? Or maybe starting or getting back into a workout routine? I think many of us fill our days with taking care of others, or even taking care of "stuff". So how do we begin to get back to taking care of our Self?
Well, Tina Leininger is a prime example of how to do just that. In her 20's, her life was filled with what a lot of us did as a priority.... having and raising her kids. As she got a little older, she realized that she needed to care for herself as well, and began a fitness routine, just for herself. Not sure exactly how to begin, she started with DVD's like The Biggest Loser, which then led her to other programs. "I started by changing what I was eating, and making it more nutritious," she said. "Then I began moving my body more. Knowing that there are right and wrong ways to work out, I started my journey of learning HOW to move and eventually became a personal trainer." From there, she started walking, then progressed to a walk/jog interval pace, and eventually fell in love with running. With the idea of seeing if she could actually run a marathon, she set her sites on training, and after 4 months of determined training, she ran and completed her first marathon!
After that, her confidence soared, and she knew she could handle the hard stuff, with a plan and training. This made her realize that being a personal trainer was what she wanted to do as her career. She wanted to help others gain the confidence and healthy living that she had found such joy in!
"Katie Peterson had started the 24/7 Workout Center, and hired me in 2014 as a trainer, and a few months later, a Fitness Manager. She showed me how to do the basic things to manage a gym, and it has been my passion ever since. I now know I can help others achieve their goals, and do it right!"
What some people don't know is that there is a right way and a wrong way to accomplish fitness goals. For myself, I also began working out after my kids were in school, and I had my lunch breaks to do something for myself. Since I owned and operated a health food store in my town, I thought joining the gym would be a good example to promote health and at the same time check out the trainer there. I learned first hand that a trainer, a good trainer, is necessary to do things right. My daughter wanted to join the gym, too, so I checked into it, and found that there were a lot of complaints about the current trainer. He was pushing the kids too hard, and many just quit, thinking they weren't good enough. So, I joined his program to get experience with his methods. Well, let's just say that I found out some things that weren't kosher, and he was fired soon after. A new trainer was hired, and all was well at the gym again.
"When Katie passes away in 2019, I stayed and continued to manage the gyms, and coach personal training. I did this because she was not just my boss, but also my friend. Katie was an amazing businesswoman, and taught me how to do everything. I managed the gyms for another 5 years before Brent and I bought the gym from Corey. Brent was always on board. He was a huge supporter of this idea, especially after watching me run the business successfully for the past 5 years. When Corey approached me about this idea, I had put so much work into keeping the gym running, I just felt like this was something Katie would have wanted, so here we are!"
"My vision for the gym is to continue to grow my gym membership numbers. To help reach this goal, the Kenyon gym is getting a renovation in April. We'll be expanding the space and adding new equipment and classes. I also have big plans for the Wanamingo Gym. We have reduced the minimum age of membership to 14, with an adult supervising until age 15 so that the kids can learn how to stay fit and have fun. The Kenyon Gym will be about 400 square feet bigger. We will be moving the cardio area to the new part of the gym, and adding rubber flooring, turf, new paint, updating the bathroom, and adding more strength equipment."
The facade in Kenyon was updated last year, and Wanamingo will get a facelift this spring/summer. Tina is also working with acquiring a yoga teacher to add classes to both gyms. She currently has Silver Sneakers classes at both locations . Wanamingo classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 9:45 am, and Kenyon classes are at the same time, but on Wednesdays and Fridays.
If you know Tina and Brent, you know that they are very involved in our community. Brent has been a member of the Lion's Club for almost 20 years, and Tina a member for over 10 years. Tina has been a member of the Commercial Club for the past decade, and is the Secretary for the Kenyon Commercial Club.
"Community involvement has been very important to both of us since moving to Wanamingo almost 20 years ago," Tina adds. "Every year around Katie's birthday I host a 5K walk-jog. The money raised helps support a scholarship for a K/W student who will go to college for Nutrition or Exercise Science. This year it will be May 24th at 9 am. We start at the Community Center. The cost is $20.00. This is a special time for Katie's family and friends to get together and share their memories, and all are welcome to join us."
"I'm really excited to offer an amazing space for local residents to become healthier versions of themselves," Tina said. So, come in and check out the gyms and envision the remake about to happen, and think about how improving your health can feel!
We will continue our journey with Tina and Brent as the changes occur and we'll have some great before and after pictures in our next article, when the renovations are done! There will be a few Open Houses for you to check it out this spring/summer. Be well, and by all means, stay healthy!!
