Fit for Main Street

Is winter getting in the way of your fitness goals? Do you need physical therapy that's tailored to your specific needs or diagnosis?

The newest business to join Main Street might just have your answer to both these questions.

One half of Rehab Solutions is dedicated to advanced physical therapy. The other is a fully equipped gym that's open to members 24 hours per day.

"Rehab Solutions has been in business for 13 years in Gillette. We've been noticing a lot of patients from this region of the state coming towards Gillette for some services, so we thought there was a need and committed to opening a clinic here on Main Street," says Andrew Nielsen, who co-owns the business with Ryan Schrock.

The main focus of the business is physical therapy, but the new premises offered an opportunity, he says.

"We also opened up a 24-hour gym called Elite Fitness," Nielsen says. "We bought the Harley Davidson building and knew it was too big for just our physical therapy clinic, so we decided to put in a 24-hour gym attached in the same building. Now we can use it as a dual purpose for our physical therapy clinic but also offer 24-hour access for people going to the gym."

Physical Therapy

Nielsen and Schrock take great pride in the quality of their physical therapy and the team they've built to perform one-on-one sessions with clients.

"We have some incredibly talented physical therapists who are highly specialized," Nielsen says.

For example, specialists are available for neurological conditions such as dizziness and vertigo, multiple sclerosis, strokes, Parkinson's disease and concussions; for orthopedics; and for pelvic health such as pain during or after childbirth.

On top of her work with orthopedic and pelvic health clients, Nielsen's wife, Tiffany, is also the only oncology specialist in the region, he says.

"It's a relatively new training. Ten years ago, there wasn't this field, but now they've developed it for cancer patients and she's one of the highest trained in the country," he says.

The clinic does not utilize unlicensed technicians or aides.

"Every person you see in our clinic will always be a licensed therapist," he says.

Current hours for the physical therapy side of the business are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, says Nielsen, flexible hours may be possible if a client needs them.

"In Wyoming, we have direct access, so you can come without a referral, but we do like to collaborate with your physician on your plan of care," he adds. "You can certainly just come right on in and we can communicate with your doctor after the fact. We see all insurances, we don't exclude anybody."

Contact Rehab Solutions to enquire about physical therapy options at 283-1725.

24-hour Gym

The new gym that will be accessible to members at all hours of the day and contains equipment ranging from bar bells and free weights from 5 to 100 lbs to field turf and "all the cardio that you would want," says Nielsen. Two showers are also available.

"You'll be able to use your smart phone as the key, as well as key fobs and cards if that would work better," Nielsen says. "We have monthly and annual memberships, and we also have a three-day pass and a ten-day pass available."

The pricing for these memberships, says Nielsen, improves the longer you sign up for – an encouragement to commit to your health and fitness. Grand opening promotions are now available.

VIP monthly and annual memberships are also available with group fitness classes included. These will be provided by local resident and personal trainer Stacy Finkbeiner.

"She has a big following of personal training clients online and in person in her garage. She's excited to move out of her garage and into the gym with her clients," Nielsen says.

"Her classes have been a big hit, and hopefully there are some other programs we can offer now there's a space more dedicated to personal training and fitness. We'd like to work with some athletes this summer, too, to help them get ready for fall sports."

The classes have been designed to make use of the gym equipment and be appropriate for all members.

"Everyone has their own needs and wants when they work out, but typically a class addresses the group as a whole with modifications for people if they need them," he says. "Someone in their 20s and someone in their 60s are both able to do the class with the modifications."

Never used a gym before? No problem, says Nielsen: if you're hesitant to join because you're unfamiliar with the equipment, the staff is ready and waiting to offer you an orientation session.

"We'd like to orient you on the facility, show you how to do things and how the equipment works," he says. "If that half-hour orientation session is not enough, I definitely would recommend doing a group fitness class or personal training to get familiar with movements, make sure you don't hurt yourself and have a good plan, because if you don't have a plan you probably won't be successful."

Visit the website at elitefitness307.com to sign up for membership. All gym users must sign a waiver before accessing the facility.