recreation
E PHOTOS BY COURTNEY MILTIMOR
Small Town Gym Has
BIG TIME IMPACT
Karen Buckhouse, Nisswa’s Anytime Fitness owner.
By JO GEORGES
W
o, Karen hile in college 13 years ag Buckhouse joined the nal trainer to fitness industry as a perso she know that help pay the bills. Little did elong journey of she was embarking on a lif h and wellness. helping others achieve healt
of ownership became a In October 2013, Karen’s dream Nisswa Anytime Fitness reality when she took over the many challenges as the with 181 members. Karen faced . Karen had her work cut gym was in a downward spiral out for her. a world-wide brand, Although Anytime Fitness is and required by corclubs are independently owned upgrades being the sole porate to remodel with all ual owner. Karen, with responsibility of the individ renovated the club by husband Truitt, bought and ek after giving birth to themselves. This past fall, a we
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an the floor to ceiling her second daughter, Karen beg new cardio equipment. renovations and brought in all I have a brand new baby “To be honest, it was tough. ment with her, but the girl and want to spend every mo a bit of a control freak, it club is also my baby and being and day out.” Along with was hard not being here day in Karen has a family. Her running a successful business, in Hibbing. Currently husband Truitt is a police officer a and Hibbing, leaving he splits his time between Nissw parent many days of the Karen in the role of a single week. and repairs and Karen does all maintenance herself, including the cleans every inch of the gym erations, she has estoilets. In addition to daily op entives tablished programs and inc for her members. Every month the gym hosts challenges including Winter/Summer E IM T Y N A A W weight-loss/ NISS Olympics, FITNESS workout challenges, etc. 1 The club recognizes memRanked # a t o bers of the month, birthin Minnes days and has customer appreciation days. Karen sends a monthly newsletter tas another way to stay connec comed with her members. She has