OWENSVILLE — Owensville fitness enthusiasts will have the chance to “Run Into Summer” at an upcoming 5K hosted by The Fitness Parlor on Saturday, May 10. Gym owner Ryan Wilson, a lifelong resident of the area, hopes the event will inspire the community to embrace an active lifestyle.

The 5K will start at 8 a.m., with registration beginning at 7 a.m. at the gym, 1212 Highway 28 West.

For Wilson, the event is more than just a race — it reflects his journey in fitness and his commitment to providing the community with accessible health and wellness opportunities. As a child, he remembers being very active — and also enjoying new things.

He grew up in Gerald and went to Owensville schools. Once graduated, he decided to continue his education and was certified in auto body repairs. It was later he found his passion in fitness.

When considering personal experiences that shaped his commitment to health and wellness, Wilson remembered the impact it had on life from childhood to his young adult years.

“I remember as a kid being with my mom, we went for a walk every night,” he recalled. “It was something my mom was really big on…trying to stay healthy…(and) eat the best meals we could.”

“Then going to school…it was always a very, very important thing. Physical education was a big thing — sports were a big thing,” he continued. “I just remember as I got older, it got more and more important to take care of your health and wellness and exercise daily.”

Then one day, his physical fitness declined because he wasn’t as physically active anymore. Seeking a way to stay active and healthy, with the help of a friend who had just got out of the Marines, Wilson found a sense of belonging. In 2013, he started going to a gym called Homefront Fitness in Washington run by Andrew Burton. He was the gym’s first member.

Wilson fondly remembers how welcoming Burton was. Burton and Wilson’s friend helped teach him how to work out, how to use machines and made him feel comfortable in the gym.

“It was a mental and physical thing that he needed and it helped me with so many things in my life that I fell in love with working out in the gym.”

In 2021, he found the opportunity to purchase Therapy Source in Owensville.

“It was a good gym,” Wilson said. “But, there were a lot of things that could be improved on.”

He recalls visiting the gym every day for years on end and hearing other patrons talking about opportunities they saw within the gym.

“It’d be nice to have this, it’d be nice to have that — everyone had talked about improvements on it, but we weren’t seeing it at that time,” he shared.

With his focus having turned to business and making an impact on the community, he thought it would be a good idea to purchase the facility. He wanted to bring to life some of the ideas that he heard from working out in the local gym, other gyms and feedback from other community members. He was confident he could make it happen and was willing to put in the work in hopes the community would support it.

He reached out to Burton to get advice. Wilson remembers Burton telling him, “do it — you’ll do great.”

Burton has since become somewhat of a mentor to Wilson, advising him on new ideas including the layout of the gym, security system selection and programming.

“He’s been a huge help,” Wilson said.

One of the bigger needs Wilson saw that he immediately implemented at the gym was 24/7 access. He remembers working not having anywhere to unwind and de-stress after going to work or school during the day and sometimes working in the evening. Knowing Owensville relies on manufacturing and also considering the needs of parents, he wanted to give the community members the freedom to come when they wanted.

Another need he saw was the lack of fitness-related products available to the gym-community at their home facilities. He considers his gym to be part of the one-percent offering wraps, supplements, energy drinks, protein bars, protein shakes, fitness t-shirts, lifting belts and other accessories.

He also added a large amount of equipment to accommodate everyone. 

With a focus of being a welcoming gym, the Fitness Parlor offers a large variety of equipment and services: cardiovascular, strength-training and free-weight equipment; a studio for classes such as SilverSneakers, Refit Revolution Dance, Body Works Exercise, Blacklight Spin and Fit-Express; personal training and workout plans by NASM-certified gym manager Nick Leonard; and B-12 vitamin and other IV-infusions offered by The Mobile Drip IV.

“We tried to add in a little bit of each thing, that way everybody can find their place in our facility,” he said.

Wilson and his staff strive to get to know all of their members, greet them by name and even introduce them to each other to help build the sense of community.

“We’re not the biggest facility in the world, but I would definitely say we’re the best facility, because we just have such an awesome community — a very strong and connected community,” he shared.

Future plans for the Fitness Parlor include an expansion to include a large, CrossFit-style turf area with a rig system, tanning and a sauna.

“We’re building…we’re saving…we’re working towards it… it’s in the plans — it’s just a matter of when, not if,” he said.

Moving into their fourth year, the Fitness Parlor currently has 500 to 1,000 members. The number fluctuates mostly due to residents working or living out-of-town or out-of-state for portions of the year. Wilson stressed that even though they have a large membership base, the gym floor is never overwhelmingly busy.

Approximately 40 percent of the members are age 65 and older and many have free memberships through their insurance provider.

“Between Silver Sneakers, Renew Active and Silver and Fit, we can get almost anyone over 65 a free membership,” Wilson said.

The standard cost of a gym membership is $40 per month, but discounts are offered. Senior citizens, military, law enforcement, fire department, EMS, city workers, teachers and students receive $5 off. Additionally, patrons can save 15 percent by purchasing a six-month membership or 30 percent off an annual membership.

Wilson is grateful for all of the members and says other than being a member of the gym, people can show support by liking, sharing and commenting on their social media posts on Facebook and Instagram.

Wilson has partnered with Split Second Timing for the May 10  Run Into Summer 5K. The run will be held at the facility at 8 a.m. with registration at 7 a.m. The route will go from Fitness Parlor to the Lions Complex, through the industrial park and then looping back around the gym.

Runners age 12 and above will be competing for first-, second-, and third-place prizes in their respective gender and age groups: 12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over. There will also be an overall first-place prize for the top men and women. finishers.

The event will feature music, water stations, basic safety equipment and snacks including protein bars and chocolate milk at the end of the race.

Following the 5K, a Fun Run will take place for families and those age 11 and under.

The main goal is to bring another fitness asset to the community and kick-off the summer season. Wilson believes the 5K can inspire long-term health habits by giving participants the opportunity to network with like-minded people. Volunteers and spectators are also welcome.

He encourages anyone hesitant to sign up to at least attend the event. He believes once people see everyone isn’t a professional runner — that it’s just community members of all shapes and sizes getting out, getting active and having fun — they may decide to take part in it, too.

To the participants he advises, “Don’t try to overdo it — just come out and try to enjoy it. Don’t worry about coming in first place…this is a competition against yourself.”

Volunteers, spectators and sponsors are all welcome. Any donations will be given to the benefactor of the event and businesses that donate can provide advertisement banners to be on display.

In addition to any donations received, 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to a local cause. Wilson feels like there are a lot of good options such as the Skatepark Foundation, but knowing he may not be aware of all the worthy causes he wants the community to decide.

Soon, a poll will be on Facebook and Instagram where people can nominate and vote.

The cost to participate in the 5K is $35 in advance or $40 the day of. Included in the cost of registration will be a race chip that keeps track of time and a t-shirt. A link to register is found on the gym’s Facebook page or people can register by visiting the facility.