24 Hour Fitness, 1121 Ashton Avenue, just east of Fairmont Park in Sugar House, was once the site of the Fairmont Bowling Lanes. By 1999 enthusiasm for bowling had waned, but interest in getting fit was on the rise. Enter 24 Hour Fitness, which stepped in to purchase the property, completely remodeling the interior to include a basketball court and swimming pool as well as a complete gymnasium with state of the art exercise equipment and other amenities.
In addition, 24 Hour Fitness is staffed by professional, enthusiastic fitness instructors. One of those is Denise Druce, who has been participating in the annual Bike MS Utah: Harmons Best Dam Bike Ride since 2002.
Bike MS is a two-day event--June 25 and 26 based in Logan, Utah in the beautiful Cache Valley. Funds raised will benefit the Utah-Southern Idaho Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. After discovering that 24 Hour Fitness supports local fund raising events like Bike MS, Druce will lead Team 24 Hour Fitness at this year's event.
The energetic fitness instructor states that it has been easy to involve students from her cycling classes in the event after reminding them that despite the rigors of such a class, most have the strength to recover from the workout. When asked if they know anyone with MS who may not be so fortunate, almost all do, and, at that point, most are eager to participate in the Bike MS program. Druce has involved her children as well.
There are all kinds of ways to participate—actively in part or all of the race or just encouraging the cyclists. Cyclists can choose from 40, 75, or 100 mile routes on the first day of the event, and either a 40 or 75 mile route on the second day. Harmons will provide meals for cyclists beginning with breakfast on Saturday through lunch on Sunday. Rest stops will be set up every eight to twelve miles. Medical and technical experts will also be on hand to provide any needed assistance. The race starts at the Cache Valley Fairgrounds in Logan, where live music and other festivities will also take place.
According to statistics, Utah is said to have one of the highest incidence rates of Multiple Sclerosis; one in every 300 residents are affected. A Utah-based company, Harmons Grocery is doing its part to hel reduce those numbers.
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