Waukon Wellness Center celebrating its fifth anniversary

by Jennyanne Hager

For the past five years, a large group of people in the Waukon area has built a community within the community. From early in the morning to late in the evening, folks are choosing to make time to live a healthier lifestyle, and the Waukon Wellness Center is playing a big part in that choice. It was five years ago this month that the Wellness Center opened its doors. Special anniversary events this week are helping to celebrate half a decade of healthy living in Waukon.
Throughout its existence, the Waukon Wellness Center staff has aimed to please users. Patrons can choose from a wide variety of activities, from the new rock wall to strength training machines and free weights to cardio machines and an indoor track, exercise classes, and more.
The center’s director, Danielle Bucknell, has been there from the very start. Within a few months after opening, the Waukon Wellness Center was up to about 1,000 members. She said that number has stayed pretty steady throughout the years. Although membership has its privileges, people do not have to be members to use the center. Day passes and punch cards can be purchased at the front desk for non-members. Non-members can also sign up for any of the fitness classes.
Right now, one of the Wellness Center’s big draws is the rock-climbing wall, which was completed earlier in 2012. The wall has been a big hit with kids, and Bucknell said it’s nice to see families taking part in the activity together. “There seems to be more parent involvement with the rock wall since parents must be there because the kids can’t climb alone,” she said.
Another addition made within the past year is the new 24/7 Access. The Wellness Center is open to the public six or seven days a week (specific hours vary from winter to summer), but a special key can be purchased to allow for access any time of the day or night. “24/7 Access has been awesome,” Bucknell remarked. “We have almost 600 passes sold and we’ve had no issues whatsoever. People enjoy this privilege and they make sure everything is taken care of so that they can keep it.”
Guests are also welcome to accompany members who have a 24/7 Access key. “Even though we aren’t open, you can still bring a guest. But, guests still need to pay the day pass price,” Bucknell added.
While the Wellness Center staff members constantly seek to offer new services, they also maintain the traditional staples of a community gym. Several treadmills, elliptical machines, and stationary bikes are set up for cardio workouts. Weight machines and free weights are available for resistance training, and members can fuel their competitive sides while playing a number of sports on the basketball and racquetball courts.
A full schedule of fitness classes is offered throughout the week. Group cycling is a popular class right now, but a wide-range of classes, including yoga, Zumba (a dance fitness session), kettlebells, and more are offered.
Traci Byrnes, a long-time Wellness Center member who tries to visit the center five or six times each week, has tried many different fitness classes. No matter what the workout involves, she said the group dynamic is a key to fitness success. “When you take a class at the Wellness Center you not only get a workout, but also a social support. You get to know a variety of people that are working out for various reasons and become friends with them. You also get to know the instructors and they can help you meet your fitness goals.”
Knowing that goals are important, the Waukon Wellness Center also offers a number of special incentive programs throughout the year. The programs vary from year to year, but some of the popular incentives offered in the past have included a Biggest Loser contest and an Ironman 140.6 program. Byrnes said she looks forward to these challenges, especially the Ironman. “You have to complete 140.6 miles combined on a bike, track/treadmill, and elliptical in a month. The first year I did it I thought it would be impossible. But now, I look forward to the challenge.”
There is something for every age and ability to do at the Waukon Wellness Center, too.  Folks who have limited abilities will find several options for low- or no-impact workouts. The Stretch and Strengthen exercise class is geared for seniors, while the Zumba Chair class currently allows more people to take part in one of the center’s more popular fitness classes.
NuStep cardio machines are also available for a no-impact workout, making for a great option for seniors or individuals who may be recovering from injury. Recently, the center purchased leg stabilizers for the NuStep, too. These stabilizers allow the user to strap their feet and legs securely to the pedals, making exercise a more viable option for those who have limited leg control. Bucknell extended a big “thank you” to the area businesses that gave donations to make the stabilizer purchase possible: Waukon Harley-Davidson, Shafer Law Office, JaDecc’S, Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank, and RW Pladsen.
Children of all ages can also find plenty to do. A baby-sitting room provides young children something to do while mom or dad gets a workout. “One of the best services that the Wellness Center offers is the babysitting room. I am able to workout without worrying about what my daughter is doing. I know that she is in a supervised area that is safe for her,” Byrnes added.
Supervised children are also welcome to burn off energy in the bounce house or play their favorite sport on the athletic courts. “It seems like it’s mostly kids using the basketball courts,” Bucknell noted.
Once they reach junior and senior high, kids can take full advantage of the center, including cardio equipment and fitness classes. Club Twelve20 is a separate room geared towards teens (but everyone is welcome to use it) that features a pool table, air hockey, and a few video game systems.
Occasionally, youth-oriented classes are on the schedule, too. Currently, Bucknell says that plans are being made for an after school program for 9th through 12th graders. She said the rock wall will likely be part of the program, and they hope to get participants outside, too, with some hiking at nearby locations.
Lock-ins and birthday parties are also services offered at the Waukon Wellness Center.
While a lot has already evolved at the Wellness Center, Bucknell says they plan on trying new things in the years ahead. In the immediate future, a special incentive program will be offered to help keep unwanted holiday pounds at bay. “A lot of people tend to gain weight over the holidays, so we are going to try a holiday shape-up program. We’ll start with a weigh-in around Thanksgiving and the program will go to about mid-January.” Participants will pay an entry fee upfront, however, as long as they maintain or lose weight throughout the holiday season they will earn that money back.
Bucknell said that other changes in the works include new fitness class offerings, and groundwork is also being laid to partner with local schools for leadership and team-building functions. “We always like to try new things and bring what is current into our facility to keep interest and things fresh and new,” she said.
Member input will also continue to shape the activities roster. Requests from members have led to changes in the past, and Bucknell said Zumba and cycling classes began as a result of user suggestions. “Voice your ideas if you have them,” she said. “We’ll do the research and find out what we need to do to offer something new.”
One of the perks of having a place like the Wellness Center is the “family” feeling that members start to feel. Bucknell noted that fitness classes start to become little families that support each other. Byrnes added that it’s good to know the folks you’re sweating with, and that they care about each other. “It is great to have a place in our community where people of many generations work together to become healthier," she said. "The staff at the Wellness Center is also kind and helpful. I feel that members enjoy their time at the Wellness Center. It is a great place to visit with friends while working out.”
The Waukon Wellness Center will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a few special activities this week, too. Free day passes and exercise classes are offered throughout the week. Wednesday, November 14, there will be a member appreciation breakfast from 5 to 8 a.m., and later that day, refreshments will be offered from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 15, a healthy chili cook-off will be featured, with taste testing from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. People are also welcome to learn how to conquer the rock wall Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. as the wall celebrates its grand opening.
For more information about anniversary events or the Waukon Wellness Center in general, call 563-568-0074 or visit the center’s website at www.waukonwellness.com. Or, stop by the center at 1220 3rd Avenue NW in Waukon. Tours of the facility are available anytime. Bucknell and other staff members are happy to acquaint guests with the facility. “Feel free to walk in and look around," she said. "It doesn’t cost anything for a tour.”