Focused on the baby boomer market, Welcyon: Fitness After 50 is a health club catering to those 50 and older. And now Welcyon is award winning.
One of the nation’s only fitness franchises designed specifically for people over 50, Welcyon: Fitness After 50 is located in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Recently, the club was named the “Best Gym for 50-plus set” in the Star Tribune’s 2014 Best of Minnesota awards.
The third annual Best of Minnesota has over 100 categories, ranging from the best Minnesota getaways and fitness activities to the best food and drink. The Star Tribune’s 265 journalists select the winners.
Welcyon CEO Suzy Boerboom said the health club is grateful and thrilled to be honored with this tremendous award. “As a health club designed specifically for those 50 or older, Welcyon promises a better experience and healthier results than traditional gyms,” she said in a press release.
She said the concept’s specially trained staff, safer user-friendly equipment and personalized workout and nutrition plans are all delivered in a smaller, comfortable setting that contrasts with oversized, overcrowded gyms.
Founded in 2009 by Tom and Suzy Boerboom and partner Paul Contris, Welcyon is now located in three states. The motto of the club is “to provide a welcoming and personalized fitness environment where people 50 and over can achieve their best health.”
Welcyon clubs feature a structured fitness program consisting of strength and cardiovascular training, as well as stretching and balance exercises. Specially trained fitness coaches guide workouts on equipment that uses air instead of traditional weight stacks to create resistance and build strength.
The gym’s strength-training equipment is also powered by Smart Card technology, allowing members the ability to track their individual workouts and progress. Each machine greets the member by name, sets the resistance, counts reps and adjusts the workouts, making them progressively more challenging as the member improves.
“The best part is that we are truly changing lives,” continued Boerboom. “A three-year analysis of our strength data shows Welcyon members on average double their strength within a year of joining.”
By Heather Hartmann
