New space provides new opportunities for healthy living
By Madeleine Sutherland,
Record Staff Writer
Posted 11/7/19
The Warren County Health Department staff was thrilled when they saw the polished concrete floors of their new fitness center location. It provides the perfect place to house an amped-up exercise …
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New space provides new opportunities for healthy living
Posted
By Madeleine Sutherland,
Record Staff Writer
The Warren County Health Department staff was thrilled when they saw the polished concrete floors of their new fitness center location.It provides the perfect place to house an amped-up exercise center for Warren County citizens.The Warren County Health Department Fitness Center was previously located on Main Street in Warrenton. When the department’s lease ended in June 2015, the group ultimately decided they needed more room and parking to meet the needs of the community.“We had a higher demand for classes and just higher interest, so we thought maybe we should look for a different location that gives us more space,” said Stacey White, nurse and public health educator.White is one of the main orchestrators of the fitness center.She said people wanted longer hours and more time for an open gym period, where any member can use the exercise equipment for as long as they like. Members also wanted more equipment and more room to move.To accommodate these needs, the health department began the search for a better space. It didn’t take long. The space that formerly housed the Nike Outlet store in the Warrenton Outlet Mall proved to be just the ticket.“We were so excited about the move, because the floor was perfect and there wasn’t a ton of work for us to do,” White said. “It was just moving and painting, and then we were ready.”The new fitness center, renamed Ready, Set, Fit!, opened its doors in August. Inside is a whole new workout experience.The health department created a larger open gym area with a multitude of exercise machines. There also is an area for classes to be held while others can continue to use the open gym. A room in the back is used for tumbling classes. Mirrors and uplifting artwork line the walls.The health department also incorporates its Ready, Set, Fit! program, where individuals could seek one-on-one training in nutrition and exercise, in its new fitness center. Previously, the program had been held in the Warren County Administration Building. Officials decided the best route was to combine the program with the fitness center.“We struggled with, ‘How do we make it available to more people?’ ” White said. “Now the two things are one.”Two certified personal trainers, Angie Zumwalt and Patrick Randolph, are available during open gym times to give advice and help out. Members also can schedule individualized training appointments. The trainers teach a majority of the exercise classes.Classes include everything from yoga to zumba to tumbling. There are new classes for seniors as well as classes for kids. White said they look to add different classes every session.People also can sign up for nutrition classes at the center, as well as creative classes, which include knitting, painting and life coaching. The majority of class instructors are local community members.“It helps because a lot of people in class know the instructor, or go to church with the instructor. It’s still that small-town connection that’s there,” White said.To cover their main costs, the health department relies on grant funding. Since the obesity rate in Warren County, at 34.4 percent, is still above the state average of 30 percent, the health department receives a community and prevention grant, awarded by the Missouri Foundation for Health.The department also receives a Healthy Eating Active Living grant from the state health department.Additionally, the health department accepts corporate sponsors to help fund the center.While the size and cost of the center has increased, White said they are continuing to try to make memberships the most affordable and accessible for the most people.“Every day we have new people walking in,” she said. “We try our best to accommodate everyone.”Members have the opportunity to pay for classes or open gym time in ways that make sense for their budget. Payment is made per session. The current session will end April 2, but anyone can join a class or get a membership at any time.“We want people to feel comfortable going there, and anyone from little kids to people in their 80s and 90s to come in,” White said. “It’s a place where you’re not going to feel intimidated. Anyone with any fitness level can come in.”Overall, White said she feels that the new location has made exercise and healthy living more accessible to the public.“We want people to move more, and if that just means coming in there for 10 minutes a day, then that’s great,” she said.
Local youth participate in a class at the Warren County Health Department new fitness center, located at the Warrenton Outlet Mall. Madeleine Sutherland photo.
