by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
“Physical fitness” is practically Trevor Goodwin’s middle name.
The Sartell businessman has been involved with fitness in his life and in his work for 25 years, and he’s about to get even more further involved. He and business partner Dr. Mike Balfanz of St. Cloud recently purchased the two Sta-Fit businesses in Sartell and St. Cloud. They plan to re-energize those workout places by tailoring them scrupulously to the needs of their client-customers.
Balfanz is a chiropractor at Woodlands Chiropractic in St. Cloud. Goodwin came to Sartell in 1989 from Pennsylvania by way of Nebraska. In 2001, he began working for Gold’s Gym, at that time owned by Brad Kloss. Later, Goodwin opened a fitness club in the Twin Cities. Five years later he sold that business and opened Life Fitness, a physical-fitness equipment company. He did that kind of work for almost nine years.
About four years ago, Gold’s Gym in Sartell was renamed Sta-Fit, still owned by Brad Kloss, who lives in California. A couple of months ago, Balfanz and Goodwin bought the two Sta-Fit clubs from Kloss.
Goodwin and Balfanz are both emphasizing the word “local” in their new business. Both live not far from the two clubs. And it’s not just physical proximity.
“I know the customers, and I’ve known many of them for years,” Goodwin said. “I know what they want, and I know what is lacking.”
Balfanz and Goodwin want to work closely with customers to fill in any lacks.
“I know this business and its customers because for 25 years physical fitness has been about all I’ve done for business,” Goodwin said. “We are adding $200,000-worth of new fitness equipment. There will be new group-and-team personal training, a golf simulator, pickle ball, indoor tennis courts, weight-lifting, cardio machines, leagues and lessons. And we’ll have new staff, a new direction.”
At both clubs combined, there will be about 125 employees, Goodwin noted.
The clubs’ hours will stay the same as before, and each will open as early as 4 a.m., with most days remaining open until midnight.
“I myself will be there almost every day at 4 a.m.,” Goodwin said.
A public grand opening for the two Sta-Fit clubs will be announced in the near future.
The new buyers and co-owners of the Sta-Fit businesses in Sartell and St. Cloud are Dr. Mike Balfanz and wife Kimberly of St. Cloud (left) and Trevor Goodwin and wife Lisa of Sartell (right).
