The Fit Stop Changes, Members Get Impressive Results

The Fit Stop has made some big changes.

No exercise machines remain inside the facility in downtown Neligh, but their members are seeing impressive results.

Hannah Hoefer of Neligh purchased The Fit Stop at Elgin in 2006 and moved it to Neligh in 2008.

"Up until the last 6 months, it had hydraulic cylinder machines and treadmills and ellipticals and was a 24-hour fitness workout place," Hoefer said. "Now I have changed it to more of a studio. No machines, just a variety of classes lead by an instructor. All classes are timed, interval classes."

About one year ago, she decided to take a chance and change The Fit Stop, starting a class called "Boot Camp."

"I started it in September with nine other ladies, and by November, I had to add an evening class with 10 more ladies," Hoefer said. "Over the year, The Fit Stop has grown into a studio I could have never imagined! Last month, my husband had to remodel so I could fit in more ladies because I had a waiting list to get into the class. It has taken a lot of prayers, patience, time and commitment, but has been very rewarding!"

A free week at The Fit Stop will be offered next week, August 25-30, for those who would like to try the classes. 

"You can come to any and all of them," Hoefer said. "We have classes every morning 5:45-6:30 a.m. and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evening, 5:45-6:30 p.m. with Becky Lichtenberg. For the free week, only I will have a class Wednesday and Thursday evening, 7:30-8:15 p.m."

If there is enough interest in the evening class, she said a later evening class may be added in November.

Each class throughout the free week will be different, but will focus on things such as kickboxing, cardio and strength training. Classes will be listed on The Fit Stop's Facebook page, and in the front room of The Fit Stop on the calender board. 

Text or call Hoefer to reserve your free spot at 402-750-3210.

On Saturday, August 30, a free Barre class will be offered at 8 a.m. 

What is a Barre class? 

"It is a full body workout, mixed of yoga and ballet with some fun faster, upbeat music to liven it up and is designed to work the small muscle groups," she said. "It will be a beginner class, but can be easily modified if anyone attending needs a more advanced level."

Hoefer said she decided to add Barre classes because it is "a new workout craze." 

"I had never tried it, but the reviews are all amazing, and it's one that any age and fitness level can do and receive the benefits from," she said.

The Barre class will be led by certified barre instructor, Dawn Koenig from Norfolk. They are still accepting 11 more for this class, so call or text to reserve your spot. Hoefer said she can now fit 20-24 in a class, and spots are reserved monthly, without a contract.

"I love the classes I offer because they can be modified to every fitness level, so I dont have to worry about seperating classes," she said. "Each member knows when they need to modify. And with an instructor leading the class, they show you the move and how it can be modified down, or even how to add intensity to it for more advanced. And with the timed intervals, each member gets to choose how hard their workout is."

Hoefer said another another great thing about group training is that you know you will have a group waiting for you every day to help keep you accountable.

"It can be too easy to sleep in or skip your workout for the day, but when you know you have 20 other ladies showing up each day it motivates you to keep showing up, and never do you regret it when you're done!" she said.

Hoefer said her favorite part of owning The Fit Stop has been when she added these classes and hearing about results from her members.

"I love it when I get a message or phone call from an excited member that they have reached their goal," she said. "It's great, whether their goal was to finish the 30 seconds with no break, or they reached the point that they no longer need to modify certain moves like they did when they started."

Hoefer said members have seen some of their best results when during their Health Challenges, a fun competitive, clean eating challenge

"When they would do their friday morning weigh-in, I would get several updates some had hit a weight they have been striving to reach, or finaly broke that plateu they'd been struggling to get past, or at the end of the challenge seeing the inches they had cut," she said. "You don't always see a big change on the scale, especially if you are gaining muscle, so when they see their clothes fitting better or having to buy new clothes, it's very rewarding to me to know I helped them achieve that goal."

Hoefer said another thing she loves about The Fit Stop is the friendly environment.

"No  one is there to judge you," she said. "My advanced group is so encouraging to beginners and you gain a bond with the group, you get comfortable with them and we all help push each other to new fitness levels and together you try new things."

Her plans for the future are to continue offering a variety of classes.

"TRX is the next on my list!" Hoefer said. "I have looked forward to adding that for some time, and will be adding it in the near future."

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