From Fedex to Fitness in Blair, Nebraska

BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 December 19, Thursday)
Don Harrold, Writer / Editor
blairtoday@mail.com – Facebook

In an era where national franchises often operate at arm’s length from their communities, Blair’s Anytime Fitness stands apart. Owned and operated by Blair residents Kristie Nichols and her husband Ronnie since 2009, the fitness center has grown from a small strip mall location to become a cornerstone of local health and wellness.

“I think sometimes people just think it’s a big box franchise with no local ties,” Nichols says, addressing a common misconception. “We’re family right here in the community, and we like to try to give back and support the community that we’re in as much as possible.”

The journey to ownership began unexpectedly. “He actually used to do a FedEx route and he came across an Anytime Fitness in Council Bluffs,” Nichols recalls of Ronnie’s first encounter with the franchise. “He noticed people were still working out but the doors were locked. He wondered how they got in there.”

That curiosity led to investigation, and investigation led to opportunity. “Fitness has been a passion of both my husband and I probably since before we even met,” Nichols explains. “We were looking at what we could do, a business that we’re both passionate about.”

The choice of Blair wasn’t random. “My sister-in-law is from Blair, so we are familiar with the community,” Nichols says. “The demographics and area fit great for where Anytime Fitnesses usually do well, so we did some exploring and decided it would be a great community to invest in.”

When asked about operating a fitness center in Nebraska, where health metrics typically lag behind national averages, Nichols sees opportunity rather than obstacle. “We’ve seen the benefits of how investing in a healthy lifestyle bleeds over into all aspects of life – health, social, mental. I think it’s amazing.”

The business began in a strip mall near Walmart but soon needed room to grow. “We needed some place where we can have more parking and just a little bit more room to expand and have more things to offer for our members,” Nichols explains. They found their current location in a former Metro building, a fortuitous acquisition that proved prescient as property values soared in subsequent years.

The Nichols family’s commitment to Blair deepened in 2015 when they moved from Fort Calhoun, putting down roots where they now raise their two school-age sons. This local connection transforms their business approach from simply running a gym to building community wellness.

That community focus shows in the gym’s culture. “We have a great gym culture. Everybody’s super supportive of each other,” Nichols says. She describes how members who share similar workout times form natural support networks. “If somebody’s missing, they’ll check in on them. It helps hold everybody accountable and make their gym time more enjoyable.”

As a certified personal trainer, Nichols emphasizes the importance of strength training, particularly for older adults. “Especially as we age, it’s really important to incorporate resistance training,” she explains. “The more muscle you have, the more metabolically efficient your body is, the stronger you are. You’re less likely to break a hip as we age.”

When confronted with the story of someone struggling with weight – specifically about an uncle who acknowledged his weight stemmed from his own choices – Nichols responds with understanding born of personal experience. “Both my husband and I have been on both sides of the fence of not being in the best physical shape,” she reflects. “We work with people all the time who maybe have had a health scare or maybe they just are fed up and they’re like, ‘Yep, I know I’m unhealthy; I know I have to change the way that I eat, and I’m ready to get started.’ That’s what we’re there for.”

The COVID-19 pandemic tested their business model and community bonds. “COVID was rough,” Nichols acknowledges. Yet the challenge revealed the strength of their community connections. “Even those people who weren’t coming to the gym were super supportive of maintaining being members, wanting to make sure that the gym was there for them when we could fully open.”

The gym has evolved to serve everyone from teenagers to octogenarians, offering personal training, bootcamps, and small group sessions. They provide a free app with workout guidance and health tips, making fitness accessible even to those new to exercise.

“It’s a marathon not a sprint,” Nichols says of the fitness journey. “We’ve seen the impact that fitness has had on our lives and we just want to share that with everybody so that they can feel just as good and have a nice healthy quality of life.”

“It’s a marathon not a sprint,” Nichols says of the fitness journey. “We’re very invested,” Nichols states. “Our kids go to school here, and we want a good place for them to live and grow up.”

For those interested in starting their fitness journey at Blair’s Anytime Fitness, memberships range from $35 to $44 monthly depending on commitment length. The facility is located at 1844 Washington St, Blair, Nebraska.

“From the person who is new to fitness to someone who is a seasoned lifter, we’ve got everybody from ages 18 to 80s that come in and work out,” Nichols said.

The gym offers multiple services including:

• Personal training with certified trainers
• Small group training sessions
• Bootcamp classes
• A free app for workout guidance
• Basic supplements and protein products
• 24/7 secure access for members

New members receive a facility tour and consultation to help determine their fitness goals. “We’re just proud of them for walking through the door and getting started,” Nichols said.

In a town where franchise businesses often struggle to maintain personal connections, Blair’s Anytime Fitness demonstrates how local ownership can transform a national brand into a community asset. The Nichols family’s commitment to Blair extends beyond business success to fostering a healthier, more connected community – one workout at a time.