Checking the Pulse of the Peninsula – And Making Fitness Fun

J. Lee Austin, MD
Since moving to Bolivar two years ago I have had the great privilege to meet and write about some salt of the earth folks with an inspirational vibe. The owners of our local gym and fitness center are certainly that and more. Since August of 2023 Megan and Dean Swain have breathed new life into the endeavor that is helping to keep many of us in shape these days. Sweat Fitness Gym is a state-of-the-art facility with prime grade equipment, much of which sparkles like new.

In a spotless clean environment, meticulous attention to detail is everywhere to be felt and seen. Whether your thing is Cardio, Strength training or hoisting the Free Weights, there is something here for you. The dizzying array of equipment is enough to make me tired just looking at it. I tried closing my eyes, but that didn’t really work out.

Clearlight Infrared Sauna, Tanning Bed, and collaboration with Beach Diva Spray Tan and Hydraluminus IV Infusion Therapy help to create a healthy, full experience. If you want to look good and get yourself detoxed and relaxed, this is the spot. Just remember to start slow in the tanning bed lest you burn something that’s better not burned.

As a distinguished veteran of the US Army, Dean’s 27 years with the military have prepared him well for this adventure. The discipline he learned while serving our country is paying great dividends in bringing better health to our community, as well as creating jobs for our local area residents. That deserves a great big Bravo, Command Sergeant Major. Thanks a million, brother.

As a professional personal trainer certified by the arduous process inflicted by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Megan is legit. She is doing wonderful things with her clients, something I have had the pleasure of seeing first-hand. Her soothing patience and well-honed skills at tailoring exercise programs to specific needs of the individual is the kind of top-tier expertise we expect to find in bigger cities. But here it is, right in our boutique little beach town, lucky us.

Their commitment to community fitness is exemplified by their outreach to existing members who, for whatever reasons, aren’t utilizing the facility. Instead of just allowing folks to continue paying the monthly fee, they pro-actively help them get back into the gym for the obvious health benefits that regular exercise can provide. Their passion really shines through with this kind of heartfelt action.

Along those same lines, their current initiative called “The Biggest Winner” is a good natured, 90 day contest designed to assist people not just with their weight, but also in optimizing the very important, yet often neglected, relative proportions of body fat and muscle tissue. No membership is needed to access what is essentially a free health consultation, complete with computerized Body Composition Scale analysis. Just take off your shoes, hold the silver handles and learn quickly what you are made of. I might have to close my eyes again.

Next month they are kicking off “March Into Fitness”, when they will offer one free week of gym use, as well as one free hour of personal training, for the entire month. This is an opportunity not to be missed for anyone interested … a real no-brainer, all taking place in a friendly, family atmosphere where new friends are made with ease.

To get the specifics of all they have to offer, go to their eyeball pleasing website at: www.sweatfitness87.com. And visit their pages on Facebook and Instagram for current events, updates and promotional activities. It’s entertaining but be advised … just watching Dean front-squat 315 pounds was almost enough to herniate my manly ego, such as it is.

To good health and fun fitness for all! ~~ j ~~

“Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.” ~~ George Carlin

J Lee

J. Lee Austin is a contributor to Crystal Beach Local News, and is the founder of The Good Help Network, a reader-supported publication.

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