Gym boom helps boost fitness across Lincoln

The number of fitness centers in Lincoln is rapidly increasing, with large and small gyms popping up all over the city.

Many of the major gyms have moved into former retail locations. The Gordmans and Kelly’s Carpet are gone. Instead, there is a large fitness center with plenty of equipment to attract those who want to work out or just enjoy the sauna.

“We want to promote a healthy lifestyle and provide people with hobbies, therapy and a sense of community,” said Sara Ceballos, pre-sales manager at Crunch Fitness. “We want to bring fulfillment to people’s lives.”

Crunch Fitness opened a new store in the former Gordmans store at 5050 N. 27 St. in early January. The brand is particularly focused on opening facilities in college towns, and Ceballos said the chain’s student-centered mission is reflected in the membership gym’s pricing. They range from $9.99 to $29.99 per month.

“These prices give people the option to start or continue their fitness journey without putting a huge strain on their budget,” Ceballos said.

With so many gyms in the area, how does an individual facility differentiate itself from the competition and attract potential members? It all comes down to the gym’s equipment and atmosphere.

Mr. Ceballos emphasized the importance of serving a variety of interests.

“Whether you’re an athlete or a fitness newbie, we offer something for everyone,” Ceballos said.

This includes group fitness classes, Olympic-style training machines, and spa facilities. Crunch also offers on-site child care for parents who want to train without worrying about their kids.

“We focus on the atmosphere,” Ceballos said. “It’s important to us to say hello to everyone. We want to be a safe place to help people start their fitness journey.”

In addition to the large fitness centers opening all over the city, several specialty gyms have appeared on the fitness scene that focus on specific exercises or target specific clientele.

One of the new specialty gyms opening soon in Lincoln is KidStrong located at SouthPointe Pavilions. Members can enroll their children in classes and camps that help improve fitness and social skills. This format allows young athletes to develop their strength while making new friends.

KidStrong is a gym specifically designed to be a milestone for kids up to the age of 11, focusing on the development of the whole child in three areas: brain, physical strength, and personality. KidStrong’s fitness curriculum is based on the latest developmental science in pediatric occupational therapy, child development, sports physiology, and physical education.

Another recent addition to Lincoln’s specialty gyms is Shoot 360, located at 2600 S. 48th St. The center has a special focus on teaching basketball skills through a combination of technology and athletics. The curriculum focuses on in-person skill development through digital gamification and virtual competitions.

Shoot 360 athletes can participate in one-on-one coaching sessions to work on their shooting, passing, ball handling, and floor development. They will be able to apply those skills both virtually and on the court.

“I want to give back to a place that has given me so much,” Nick Bay, who opened the gym with his brother Alex, told the Journal Star in November.

“It allows me to go out and reach kids, teach kids and get them excited about the game,” said Scott, who played basketball at Lincoln Southeast University and played at Kansas State and Creighton University. said Barhe, who played in college and now works as a television analyst. For Fox.

Whether you’re looking to get into fitness, looking for a new place to work out or developing a new skill, there are several new options across Lincoln for people of all ages to stay fit in 2024.