Scott Swanson
Of The New Era
Owners of the newly named Steelhead Strength and Fitness gym say they intend to make it more than just a place to pump iron.
Dave Bauer and Dave Barringer spoke to the Sweet Home Economic Development Group’s Breakfast Club Thursday, July 27, on the plans for the gym, which is being relocated to the former Cascade Hardware building on the corner of Main Street and 13th Avenue.
They are in the process of completely renovating the interior of the building, which is the largest in downtown, and plan to paint the exterior within weeks, they said. The new building has approximately 11,000 square feet of floor space. The current gym has about 5,000.
They plan to open the new facility in early September.
“It’s exciting to see people taking an old building in town and making something of it,” said SHEDG President Ron Moore. “This will make a big splash in downtown Sweet Home.”
Bauer and Barringer are part of an ownership group of five people, who purchased the existing gym at 10th and Main last spring. The other owners are Ivan Vandehei, Bauer’s wife, Vicki Bauer, and Barringer’s wife, Desiree Barringer.
They plan to offer weight training in a large free weight room, resistance training machines, cardiovascular training via aerobic machines such as treadmills, elliptical trainers, bikes and rowing machines, aerobics and strength classes which may include martial arts and yoga, a two-story climbing wall and massage. There will also be shower facilities, lockers, a juice bar and tanning facilities.
They also said they plan to stay open 24 hours a day.
“That’s expensive, but we think it’s worth it,” Bauer said. “All of us have spent a lot of time in fitness clubs and we know the benefits of that. We’re really excited about the move into the new building and the things we can offer.”
“The (current gym) is not a quality place to be,” Barringer said. “We’re trying to change that.”
The two said the project has mushroomed for the new owners.
“When we started this project, it was probably not as big as it became,” said Barringer. “We’re real nervous now,” he added, drawing a laugh from the attendees at the breakfast.
He and Bauer said the community is changing and they want Steelhead Fitness to be part of that change.
“We really feel like Sweet Home is a great city that will soon realize its potential,” Bauer said. “We’re not just interested in being in business and making money and having a club. We want to reach out to the community.”
Bauer said the gym will allow walk-ins so out-of-town visitors can use the facilities. It will also offer weekly and monthly rates.
He said the emphasis will not be just on working out, but on general good health.
“It’s not just about exercise,” he said. “It’s about diet and lifestyle.”
Vicki Bauer, who has been a personal trainer, is experienced in those areas, he said.
Barringer, a battalion chief for Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, said he’s been focusing on improved eating habits recently, particularly eating smaller meals more frequently during the day, with noticeable results.
“I’ve been in fitness a long time,” he said. “I can run five miles, fat as I am, no problem. But there’s a lot more to this than going out and lifting a few weights and running a little bit.”
Bauer agreed.
“A lot of people hear the word ‘diet’ and think grapefruit and a glass of water,” he said. “This is a lot different.”
Barringer, who is a paramedic as is Desiree Barringer, said he knows from experience how important conditioning is.
“I see people dying all the time,” he said. “A lot of time it has to do with their fitness.”