Lerberg’s Fitness open house February 10
By RACHAEL JAEGER
Staff Writer
Wendy Schultz, NRHEG physical education teacher and coach, runs Lerberg’s Fitness in Ellendale with her husband, John. A former Lerberg, Wendy is the daughter of Andy and Mary who used to be owners of Lerberg’s Foods; in March 2017, Wendy and John opened a gym next door to Lerberg’s Foods that they called Lerbeg’s Fitness.
Schultz recalls the Ellendale storefront used to house a “variety store” where Mary offered knickknacks and decorations for sale. After her work days ended, Mary frequently traveled to Owatonna to use fitness facilities there. The idea entered her head to turn the variety store into a fitness center. Once she discussed the possibility with Andy and Wendy, they visited different facilities to see what approaches others had used.
In 2004, Wendy’s parents converted the variety store into Lerberg’s Fitness Center, which is now nearing its twentieth anniversary. To celebrate, the business is hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 10. There will be cookies and Gatorade available for refreshments, as well as a chance to win a variety of prizes, including free memberships and Stanley cups to name a few.
When it first opened, the fitness center hours were from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It wasn’t long though, before Mary invested in electronically coded cards, so clients could have access whenever they needed it.
Wendy and John have also made recent updates to her equipment, including a new elliptical trainer, rowing machine, arc trainer, and a few treadmills. In the back, she also has a tanning bed available. The fitness center also offers their clients the following insurance programs that qualify clients for a free membership: Silver and Fit, Active and Fit, Renew Active, and One Pass.
“If anyone is wondering whether their insurance will cover a gym membership, they can call the number on the back of their insurance card and let them know they want to work out at Lerberg’s Fitness,” Wendy said, adding that once the clients sign up, they will get a card which will provide proof to their insurance company they’re using their benefits. “If you can go work out somewhere for free? You can’t beat that.”
It’s clear Wendy is passionate about fitness and wellness for her customers. She describes how much she loved participating in sports and being outdoors. She says she signed on with as many different teams as she could. She was a hitter in volleyball, guard in basketball, and was shortstop in softball.
In high school John participated in basketball and football. He was a forward in basketball and lineman in football. He continued his football career playing one year at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then another three years at Southwest State University.
Wendy expresses her gratitude for the local community members, many of whom have signed up for a membership or drop in occasionally to work out. These residents have played a key role in the continued survival of Lerberg’s Fitness.
Their employees, past and present, have also kept Lerberg’s Fitness running smoothly, she said, expressing her gratitude. Ginger Thompson, who used to supervise the facility on Mondays and Fridays, recently retired. Pat Motl is still an attendant who comes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Both began working for the business back when it was still a variety store.
For anyone who wishes to become a new member, Wendy said that people can can stop by Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between 3:30-6:30, or call to make an appointment.
When it comes to exercise, she believes folks sometimes overthink it.
“People can get caught up believing it has to be a big dramatic change,” Wendy said. “It can be simply starting out where you come in and walk on the treadmill for six minutes or the elliptical for four minutes. Start small and those small steps instantly turn into big steps.”
She also said that, while it’s good to build and maintain an exercise regiment, people should be gracious with themselves and realize they can’t always make it to the gym.
For many of her customers, Wendy says, it is easier to remain consistent by making workouts into social occasions.
“I know some people like to work out with others and meet their friends here,” Wendy said. “We have a really wide range of ages.”
Although Wendy recently retired from her 27 years as NRHEG’s head softball coach, she still teaches physical education to students in third through fifth grades. She maintains a persistent presence at Lerberg’s Fitness outside of school hours. Her husband John, longtime teacher and coach at NRHEG, who retired in 2020, is also frequently there.
Wendy and John are proud of their three adult children. Jade, 27, just finished teaching at the end of December and started a new position in Colorado. Jack, 24, teaches elementary physical education in Nashville. Sidney, 19, is a freshman at Winona State University learning the medical field of radiography.