The Morrison, IL, Chamber of Commerce scheduled a Ribbon Cutting ceremony, at noon on Thursday, February 15, 2024, for a sixth new, Main Street business: Refuse To Quit Fitness (RTQ Fitness), at 222 W. Main Street. The former Baseball and Softball practice venue, “The Cage,” and “China House” restaurant previously occupied the one-block-deep space, estimated at 3500 square feet. KT3 owner Kyle Heubner had purchased the vacant space in November 2023, but the business owners are Evan and Hannah Ernst. Celebrating the new venture were 22 supporters.
Since that day, Evan stated, “We [have gotten] a lot of memberships. People are enjoying it.” When asked how many people could be served on all the mechanically-assisted stations, at the same time, he responded, “about 46. If you add the 15 free-weight stations, that would be 60.” Obviously there is room for lots of members–with no waiting in line!
Once someone subscribes to use the fitness facility, they receive a keypad code to open the door. A family code is possible. The building will then be accessible around the clock. RTQ Fitness memberships are $35 per month.
1. The rate is $30 per month for Senior Citizens; Students; First Responders; Veterans.
2. Patrons do not pay a membership if they attend only yoga, fitness, and strength-training classes.
3. Those who take yoga, fitness, and strength-training classes also receive a discounted RTQ gym membership.
Evan and Hannah Ernst cut the ribbon to officially open their business. Amanda Cook was not present for the photograph.
In the front Cardio Room, Linda Schlegel uses the NuStep machine. She had a knee replacement, and the machine is easy to get the body moving for arms and legs, for “20 minutes or so.” Linda also had tried the elliptical machine, as did her husband, Gerald.
The Sanitation Station encourages everyone to use a towel and disinfectant spray to wipe the stations and weights after they use them. This process leaves all the equipment sanitized for the next user. Towels are placed into the black wastebasket.
A Yoga Room is nestled into a corner at the back of the building. Full-height curtains can be drawn for privacy.
For those who have a RTQ Fitness membership, Kaywyn Beswick offers one-hour Restorative Yoga from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, for $5 cash per session. The price is $10, if a client does not have a gym membership. For non-gym, or first time, members, text Beswick by 4:45, so she can let you into the facility. Her contact number is 815-718-5117.
Jackie Damhoff offers Boot Camp strength classes for small groups three days a week, at 4:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday, and 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. Her contact number is 815-499-0029.
Laurel Decker teaches a “Healthy, Whole, & Strong” a variety of aerobic exercise classes for women, from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m., on Monday-through-Friday. Monday: HITT training; Tuesday: Toning; Wednesday: Weight lifting; Thursday: Drop-In class; Friday: Pyramid style class. Her contact number is 815-772-8090.
