by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
“Let’s make healthy happen!”
That is the slogan of John and Kelsey Schultz, a Richmond couple who will open a double fitness business in Sartell at the mini-mall at 809 10th Ave. N.
The businesses, which will be in the same building, are Anytime Fitness and K. Power Yoga, the latter being one aspect of Anytime Fitness. They are expected to open sometime between mid- to late-August, the Schultzes said.
The couple, longtime physical-fitness enthusiasts, also own and operate Anytime Fitness and K. Power Yoga in Sauk Rapids. Some years ago, they owned three Anytime Fitness franchises in the Twin Cities but sold them when they decided to move.
A major repurposing of a vacated building has already begun at the Sartell mini-mall, and much of the interior of the six suites in the building is being demolished and rebuilt to accommodate Anytime Fitness’s space needs.
The Schultzes decided to open their business in Sartell because of the city’s demographics and developments: lots of working families and the north side of town growing along with the new high school on that end.
“We’re excited to serve the Sartell community,” said John, 37. “We want to provide them with a clean, comfortable, convenient atmosphere where they can receive help from a personal coach to achieve their goals.”
“Yes, I’m excited to bring a new style of yoga to town so I can share it with the Sartell community,” said Kelsey, 35. “It’s going to be fun.”
Anytime Fitness (and K. Power Yoga) will be open for customers to use 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even on holidays. People can buy memberships just for K. Power Yoga, but those who join Anytime Fitness can use the yoga facilities without paying extra.
Both facilities are designed for people of any age or condition.
“You don’t have to be athletic,” Kelsey said. “People of any age group, even much older people, can benefit from what we offer.”
With their two offerings, the Schultzes emphasize a personalized approach to fitness training complete with one-on-one learning with a coach and coach training for teamwork.
In the fitness studio of about 5,000 square feet, there will be all sorts of fitness machines, including free-standing weights, lots of cardio machines, a large functional training space and more.
“There’s something for everyone,” John said. “And there are a lot of large windows, a lot of good energy.”
K. Power Yoga, a form of what’s called hot yoga, also stresses physical fitness. It’s quite different from the meditative yoga exercises most people think of when they hear the word “yoga,” Kelsey noted. “Our yoga is more of a workout. We work in a room that is purposely heated to a temperature of up to 98 degrees. That kind of heat helps muscles relax for good flexibility, and it also helps detoxify the body. Hot yoga is really a marrying of physical workouts (such as at Anytime Fitness) and the yoga most people think of.”
Kelsey, who has been doing yoga for 12 years, discovered hot yoga years ago in the Twin Cities. Since then, she couldn’t seem to find it elsewhere so she is happy to start her own because she loves doing hot yoga, and she said she is eager to share its benefits with those who live in the Sartell area.
Kelsey was born in Owatonna and studied international business and Spanish at St. Cloud State University. She also has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities.
John was born and raised in Sauk Rapids and loved playing football and hockey in high school and later, at St. Cloud State University he also played football and earned a degree in communications.
It was at SCSU that the two met, began dating and married in 2011. They have two children – Leo, 3; and Lainey, 18 months.
They are counting the days until their Anytime Fitness opens in Sartell.
“We know how to provide the right atmosphere to make everyone feel comfortable,” John said. “We want people to want to come to our place rather than feeling they need to come.”
People will receive three free training sessions at Anytime Fitness/K. Power Yoga to see if they like the offerings.
John and Kelsey Schultz and their two children — Lainey (left) and Leo — stand in front of their Anytime Fitness studio in Sauk Rapids. They are now working to establish a new one in Sartell, along with a K. Power Yoga offering.
