Powerhouse Gym owner Phil Stublensky thinks his exercise facility is a perfect ‘fit? for Lake Orion.
The gym, which he ran near his Oxford home for the past nine years, recently moved down the road to its new location at 802 S. Lapeer Road.
‘We decided it would be a good move to come to Lake Orion. We’re very excited about what we have to offer here,? he said.
While already open for business, the gym will hold a grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where a number of events and promotions will be featured.
Stublensky said he’s worked for the Michigan-based Powerhouse organization since he was a youngster growing up in the Flint area. Sports and physical fitness were very important to him.
A standout football player at Swartz Creek High School, he went on to play college ball at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. While there, he met his wife, Dani, with whom he runs the gym.
Stublensky then went on to compete in bodybuilding competitions like Mr. Michigan, and was sponsored by the Powerhouse Gym he worked at in the Flint area.
Eventually, the opportunity arose for his own franchise, which he opened in Oxford with his father, Phil Stublensky, Sr.
Phil and Dani said the best part about owning and operating a gym is that it gives you the ability to help others.
Many of their customers are there for rehabilitation purposes, evidenced by a DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan office right inside the gym.
‘Phil sees people coming in who have been in car accidents and is able to help them,? she said.
Some of the people have difficulty even walking.
‘It’s great to see them walk out the door,? Dani said.
Helping people lose significant amounts of weight is great, too, according to Phil.
‘Those are the things that you really enjoy,? he added.
Relieving stress is also an important benefit of exercising.
‘They’ll come up to you and say how much this has helped,? Dani said.
Now, the Stublenskys want to offer all that and more at their new location.
Moving two miles down M-24 wasn’t easy, they said.
‘It was a very tough decision to make,? Stublensky said.
They hope to retain their old customer base in Oxford and draw fitness lovers from Lake Orion with new features, like 24-hour access, which was recently approved by the Orion Township Board.
With 40 pieces of cardio equipment, weights and a slew of programs, they hope to become the main gym people will continue to come to in the area.
‘It’s amazing the amount of stuff we have here,? Phil said. ‘It’s a healthy way to socialize.?
The average rate for a membership is around $30 a month, he said.
The grand opening this Saturday is free and open to the public. Free workouts in Pilates, spinning and Swiss ball class will be available. There will also be free gifts, door prizes and special sign-up deals.
If you bring in a coat for ‘Coats for Kids,? you will receive a month of free membership without any enrollment cost.
What Phil is most excited about, though, are the two performances by the Stand Strength Team, one at 11 a.m. and another at 2 p.m.
The team promotes messages of goodwill and anti-drug use through feats of physical strength.