ABOVE: Fairmont CrossFit recently moved into the Live Fit Sport and Wellness Center in Fairmont. As a result, the fitness center plans to expand next year to accommodate the growth of CrossFit and Parisi.
FAIRMONT – Since opening about three and a half years ago, Live Fit Sport and Wellness Center in Fairmont has added a number of exciting offerings. The fitness center recently absorbed Fairmont CrossFit and now has plans to expand to accommodate the added offering.
Live Fit occupies most of the former Kmart building it shares with Tractor Supply Company. Live Fit opened in 2020 with a running track, artificial turf, two half courts for basketball, volleyball or racquetball, locker rooms, showers, solariums, two saunas and many pieces of traditional exercise equipment. It also offers massage and chiropractic services.
Alex Schlisman, owner of Live Fit, shared what they’ve added since then.
“We’ve added two Trackman golf simulators. We just put in a brand new cold bath last month for cold bath therapy, that’s new,” Schliessmann said.
Although the basketball courts can be used for pickleball, Schliessman said they have ordered new surfacing specifically for pickleball that should arrive in the next few weeks.
The recent addition of CrossFit is also a big and noticeable change.
“Andy (Sodersten, head coach at Fairmont CrossFit) approached me and we bought them. LiveFit took over CrossFit,” Schliessmann said.
He said there was initially talk of leasing space at Live Fit, but when the idea of taking it over came up, Schliessman was excited by the prospect.
“We thought it would be easier for the membership,” Schliessmann said. “Every CrossFit member has access to all seven CrossFit classes and everything in Live Fit.”
One of the benefits of taking up CrossFit is that it adds another element to Live Fit and more options for members. A bonus is that everything is conveniently under one roof.
“We now offer many classes. We have activities throughout the day. There are classes I teach, Silver Sneakers and all that, Schliessmann said.
Along with eight CrossFit coaches, there are four Live Fit coaches who teach a variety of classes from circuit and strength training to flexibility and yoga.
Live fit not only serves its members but also opens space for other groups in the community.
The Martin County Magic, Fairmont-Martin County West’s gymnastics program, uses Live Fit not only for practice, but also to host its varsity and junior varsity meets.
“Both Fairmont and MCW CER (Community Education and Recreation) run youth gymnastics programs here,” Schliessmann said.
Partnering and collaborating with other groups is something Schliesmann enjoys doing and would like to do more of. He said both the Fairmont and Granada-Huntley-East Chain golf teams came to use the golf simulators and putting green, and the Fairmont cross country team also came to use the running track.
“We certainly do a lot with the local sports teams,” Schliessmann said.
Overall, Live Fit has nearly 2,000 members and recently won all 100 members of Fairmont CrossFit. Schliessman noted that many of the members come from outside of Fairmont and even outside of Martin County.
“We attract people. We bring a lot of people from Northern Iowa. Recently a woman came to us with a friend and she lives in Madelia but signed up to be a member here. She lives in Madelia, works in Mankato and comes to the gym here,” he said.
With the addition of people, equipment and offerings, Live Fit decided to expand. Schliessmann explained that the idea is already on the table because they want to expand the Parisi Speed School, which is a national clinic for sports excellence.
“We want to do an expansion of that and CrossFit to grow those programs,” he said.
Schliessman explained that there is still a lot of unused space on the back side of the building.
“It’s a space I’m not renting right now, but I’m going to add it to my space and expand it. We plan to start this in the next 12 months,” Schliessmann said.
He noted that business has been good since opening and they are growing faster than they expected, adding several hundred members a year.
“That’s why we’re expanding and investing in the business,” Schliessmann said.