Scott Swanson
Of The New Era
Ever had a hankering to get in shape but you’re not sure you really can do it?
Steelhead Strength and Fitness has an answer for you: 10 for 10.
The fitness center, which just began its second year at the corner of 13th Avenue and Main Street, is offering 10 visits for $10, with the proceeds split between three local charities or the charity of the customer’s choice.
“Ten for 10 is actually about giving back to the community while giving people a chance to check out the club,” said Dave Bauer, the gym’s managing partner. “We brought Steelhead to the community for the community. We’ve realized that not everyone can use the club because it costs money.”
So, Bauer said, since the Christmas season is the time of year when people give to others, “this is an opportunity for those who can’t to use (the club).
Steelhead, which moved to the former Cascade Hardware building in October of 2006, offers a full range of free weights, weight machines, cardiovascular equipment such as treadmills, stair machines, bikes and rowers, as well as classes and personal training.
The gym is owned by Dave and Desiree Barringer, Ivan Vandehei and Dave and Vicki Bauer.
The Ten for Ten program will allow non-members 10 visits during normal operating hours through Feb. 15.
“People are buying them as gifts and stocking-stuffers,” Dave Bauer said. “Part of it is that pre-New Year’s resolution.”
The money will go to Sweet Home Emergency Ministries, which provides necessary food and clothing for needy families and individuals in the area; the Sweet Home Pregnancy Care Center, which helps pregnant women and new mothers; and the HOPE Center, which helps battered women.
Bauer said all three need help this holiday season. SHEM’s food supplier has raised prices by 25 percent, he said. The HOPE Center is helping “a high number”
of women right now and “they need a lot of help,” he said.
The Pregnancy Care Center needs help as it serves new mothers and those who are pregnant by providing necessities, such as clothing, and education.
“Last year they helped about 430 new mothers,” Bauer said.
Bauer said the response has been “very good” to the Ten for Ten offer.
“Most people are buying for themselves to try the club out,” he said. “Some have requested specific charities, which we’re happy to do.”
He said the club doesn’t have a specific goal in mind as far as how many Ten for Ten’s it wants to sell.
“We just wanted to do what we could,” he said. “The response has been good.”