Old Rigby bowling alley transformed into state-of-the-art gym
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RIGBY — Local fitness enthusiasts have put a dramatic spin on an old bowling alley in Rigby.
“When we purchased the building, it was empty and it was freezing and it was pretty rundown,” co-owner Sarah VanSteenkiste says.
After six months of renovation, the shell of a dilapidated bowling alley from 1959 has been drastically transformed into a high-end fitness center.
“It’s turned out awesome. The beams were all existing and so the bones were really, really great. We just had to see past the old and get through,” VanSteenkiste says.
What started out as a nickname has become the gym’s formal title – The Alley. The gym has attracted hundreds of people to the modern and industrial styled facility.
“I like the atmosphere and I like showing up and having my workout ready for me,” gym member Jenny Wilder says. “It offers a lot of variety. He mixes it up so there’s a lot of different things that we do and they offer a lot.”
Owners say the gym, which has been open for about a month, is filling a demand in the community.
“I think there’s a massive need for good quality, world-class athletic training here in southeastern Idaho and this gives a chance for athletes to come train like a professional,” co-owner Mike VanSteenkiste says.
The Alley formats its programs through Dave Stroshine and his gym Stroformance, their sister facility. Stroshine is a master trainer and has trained 25 NFL athletes plus placed 100 division one athletes.
“We want to really put eastern Idaho on the recruiting map for every major sport in America,” General Manager Jon Hemsley says. “We just want to be an aide to the existing coaching platforms and programs that are here in the area and just deliver them better athletes,” Hemsley says.
The gym is holding an invitational featuring Stroshine as its special guest. Owners have reached out to the top 30 athletes in the state to be exclusively trained by Stroshine.
“We’ll do a combine every year and this is the first invitational,” VanSteenkiste says.
Trainers say regardless of athletic background, everyone is welcome at The Alley. The first fitness class and the first week of jujitsu instruction is free.
“Don’t be intimidated by our facility. My average client right now is probably a 35-year-old mother of three. We want people to know the doors are open,” Hemsley says.