Many towns throughout the state and country feature a community center with gym access, but few county health departments offer a fitness center with health education to its residents.“We’ve taken on an innovative approach to community wellness,” said Stacey White, a registered nurse with the health department.“It’s not just a fitness center. It’s a whole lot more,” added health department Administrator Ruth Walters.The health department’s approach to addressing high obesity and smoking rates in Warren County was to promote healthier living and prevention through nutrition, exercise and mental wellness.A grant helped the department establish a health center in Warrenton at the end of 2012. It spent a few years at the former Nike Outlet at what is now the Shoppes of Warrenton.At the beginning of this year Warren County Health Department Fitness Center moved into a residential area at 3920 N. Highway 47 in Warrenton, about 2 miles north of Interstate 70 at Isabella Drive. The new space has a large classroom with a softer floor, new cardio equipment and free weights. People who like circuit training using their body weight can use equipment that came from the former Curves.The fitness center is financed by donations, grants and membership fees. Walters said no tax money is involved.The space is working well.“It has less square footage, but it works better for us because it’s configured better,” said Walters.It’s surrounded by nearly 300 homes. Those residents, many of them young families, can walk to the center.They are still offering life development coaching and painting for mental health, as well as personal training, and Zumba, yoga, pilates, weight-lifting, cardio and other classes.The move allowed for changes the health department wanted to see. White said they are offering new classes and services. There is Kids’ Yoga, TRX suspension training and childcare from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. University of Missouri Extension is leading gardening sessions with six community garden beds.“We have small group personal training classes that are only four to five people at a time with a personal trainer for more individual attention and focus, two new morning classes called rise and shine fat burn that start at 5 a.m. on Monday and Friday.”Instructors are certified trainers.“We have a new Wednesday night class that is called functional fitness. It’s a great class for any fitness level, but especially those new to exercising as it focuses on proper form, alignment and techniques to reduce injury. It’s great for newbies and for more advanced fitness levels,” said White. Mary Bracht, a retired teacher and librarian for the Warren County School District, is a member. She’s there at least three times a week.“It’s a great place. All the instructors are wonderful. It doesn’t matter what fitness level you are, they will modify it for you,” Bracht said.Bracht added that it has become a place to exercise and socialize.Another member said she used to exercise at home. She said she is more motivated to exercise when she comes to the gym and is with friends.Healthy ExampleDavid Williams is an example of how services at the Warren County Health Department Fitness Center have changed lives. David was over 300 pounds and had difficulty walking when he joined the center at the start of 2015. About 18 months later he was down to 210 pounds, a healthy weight for him.“Being healthy, staying healthy is a lifestyle change,” Williams said.He continues to watch his diet and his activity level.“It you don’t, you’ll go in the opposite direction again,” he said.He said making healthy choices was hard at first, but it became a habit.Now Williams is a fitness instructor for seniors at the center for chair exercise class and walking club.Membership is encouraged. Membership packages vary. Individuals can choose from punch cards, open gym passes or full access passes, depending on their needs. Frequent users might want unlimited classes and unlimited gym use for six months for $300. Seniors and kids who wants to use the gym and attend classes periodically might choose an 11-punch card for $25. Each visit is one punch.The next fundraising event is Bunco on Saturday, March 10, at the Fitness Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. There will be prizes, raffles and a silent auction. Admission is $15 per person. RSVP to Peggy at 636-456-7474 or pprivett@warrencountymo.org.For more information about the fitness center, call 636-456-1567 or visit the Warren County Health Department Fitness Center website or Facebook page.

Warrenton High School student Logan Frye, a senior, comes to the Warren County Helath Department Fitness Center about four times a week to work out. 

Record photo/Kate Miller

The classroom at the new Warren County Health Department Fitness Center has plenty of room to move during class workouts. The floating floor is easier on feet and joints than the classroom at the previous location. 

Record photo/Kate Miller