It has been just over a week since FIRE Fitness Manitowoc announced its new owners, and the duo is planning some big things for the local fitness center.
Jeremiah Novak and Kari Sieben were revealed as the owners of the local branch of the group fitness company, a development that Novak said kind of fell into their laps.
“About two years ago, the original owner decided to leave FIRE Fitness,” he revealed. “So this has been on for the last year, which I don’t think a lot of people know about, by the actual headquarters, the franchise that set this all up. They really don’t want to own gyms anymore, and FIRE Manitowoc really needed a local presence. When it’s somebody boots on the ground.”
So, Novak and Sieben stepped up and went from being members to coaches, and now, to owners of the local branch.
Sieben has been a member of the Manitowoc fitness community for many years, including coaching many different versions of group fitness.
“It was like what you kind of think of like Jane Fonda style,” she explained. “You’re jumping around, the loud music, you’re all in sync, you’re choreographed. And I loved it. I love the energy of a large group. FIRE is a little different in the fact that it is more geared towards group personal training.”
She admits that this type of training can be intimidating for many first-timers.
The workouts are legitimately intense, but, as Sieben explained, there is so much more under the hood.
Kari Sieben and Jeremiah Novak
“I think people come in nervous The unknown is scary no matter what you are walking into,” she admitted. “But then once folks have actually tried a class, I think that subsides once they see how inviting everybody is.”
Seeing the longtime members doing these workouts can also be a bit discouraging, but the thing that makes FIRE Fitness unique is the “break at your own pace” mentality.
Yes, the coach is going to push you to do the very best you can, but they also understand that not everyone can, for example, climb a rope.
So, they give you alternative workouts that will still get you sweating while encouraging you and helping you along your fitness journey.
Novak noted that there is also no risk to try it.
“Your first camp, no matter what is free,” he explained. “If you even have an inkling after your first camp that you want to give this a shot, we give you 30 free days. Come in, try it out.”
A part of the sign-up process is a body scan and questionnaire, which will help identify your goals and how they can help you succeed.
You can learn more about the FIRE Fitness model by visiting FireFitnessCamp.com and see inspiring local stories and more on upcoming events on the FIRE Fitness Camp Manitowoc Facebook page.
