Temporary fitness center opens

STANTON — With the holidays approaching, a few extra pounds are almost certain to follow. In Stanton, residents will have an inexpensive way to get, and stay, in shape, without cluttering up the guest room with a treadmill.

Stanton Friends is the group responsible for opening the temporary “Viking Center Wellness Site” in downtown Stanton. The fitness center location is, for long-time residents, in the former Viking Insurance building. For newer residents, the fitness center is easily spotted on the east side of the 300 block of Broad Avenue.
Mickey Anderson said the heavy-duty workout machines available now at the temporary site will “eventually, hopefully be transferred to the permanent Viking Center when it is built.”
Stanton Friends has been successfully securing building funds for the permanent center. Well over half of the projected cost for the proposed Viking Center has been promised. That building will house a fitness center, an additional gymnasium and the town’s library, and be located next to the community school building.  
In the meantime, Stanton Friends has committed to making fitness programs available to the public. Last winter, they arranged for the use of the school hallways as an indoor track since the town’s outdoor trail would have often been treacherous with all the snow and ice.
“We think offering a site where the elderly, and others, can get out and mix with people a little and get some exercise will be good for the soul,” Anderson said. “If enough people decide to use the equipment and it looks like we need more equipment, like an extra treadmill or elliptical machine, we’ll certainly look at purchasing that.”
At the temporary center, eight heavy-duty machines are available for a total body workout. Not only is there the traditional treadmill and the elliptical, but also an assortment of machines to do steps, lift weights, stretch, and work both the upper and lower body.
A family can get access to use any of the equipment for just $10 a month, or for $100 for the year. The month’s usage is date-based rather than a calendar month. If a household desires an extra key, the key is provided for a one-time five-dollar charge.
Though no one will necessarily be around to supervise usage of the machines, Anderson suggested usage questions could be directed to the Stanton Friends committee members, including Jake Nimrod who is the physical education teacher in Stanton. Each machine does have, however, pictorial directions for specifics on how to go through a workout.
Paid members can use the facility from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Youth between seventh and 12th grades are allowed to use the equipment if accompanied by an adult member.
Anderson said another advantage of having the equipment at a community location, beyond the neighborliness factor when people get out, is that people will decide which pieces of equipment are good for them.
Having the exercise equipment at a community center may have one stereotypical disadvantage, however. Without that piece in some room at home, where do you hang your clothes when the novelty of an exercise machine wears off?
Anderson said people might discover the difference between using an inexpensive treadmill and a high quality one like the center has available.
Getting exercise does help maintain a healthy body, and with cold weather certain to settle in anytime in spite of the mild fall thus far, Stanton Friends members hope residents will take advantage of the new community equipment.
To begin using the equipment, residents should stop by to sign a waiver and pay their $10 fee at the Farmers Mutual Telephone office or at the public library, both on Broad Avenue.
The Stanton Friends committee urges members to report lost keys immediately. A replacement key is available for a small fee.