Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Ironton Rehab Services and Preferred Fitness is putting its training program into a training center.

The fitness, gym and physical therapy business will hold the grand opening Saturday of its new training center building located next to the current facility at 711 S. Third St. in Ironton.

The grand opening will be at 10 a.m. and will include T-shirt giveaways, door prizes and other activities. Personal trainers will be on hand to meet the public and other information will be available.

Training director and PTA Dave Coburn said the new facility will serve several different purposes.

“The first thought was that we needed to expand because of the F.A.S.T. program,” said Coburn, referring to the training program that stands for function agility strength training.

“Training sessions were in the middle of our physical therapy area. We wanted to separate them. We needed a place for the athletes to train and work out and have more room and devote an area just for therapy because that’s our main order of business.”

The new building is a 1,200-square foot facility with a 12-foot ceiling know affectionately as “The Box.” Coburn said the new building allows an area for the Crossfit and Sports Performance workouts as well as other training programs.

Crossfit is a national sports workout program that offers a short, high intensity workout consisting of functional exercises.

“A lot of people who want to do it say they don’t think they can because they have to get in shape. That’s what the program is designed to do. It’s to get you more fit and get you in shape,” said Coburn.

A new W.O.D. — workout of the day — is posted each day.

“You never do the same thing. It’s a shorter duration workout but you get more benefit out of it. Most people don’t know what to do and get bored doing the same thing. You don’t have to worry about that with this program,” said Coburn.

People interested in Crossfit don’t jump right into the workouts, either. Coburn said participants “go through a series of elements to teach them and help them progress into the exercise program.”

The new facility allows participants to use equipment such as rings, kettleballs and row machines. Running, front squats and other exercises are incorporated in the workouts.

“Crossfit focuses on proper technique to prevent injuries from doing exercises the wrong way,” said Coburn.

“With the new facility, there’s a lot more room for cutting drills and ladder drills and other exercises.”