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New gym promoting fitness in Hayden

Matt Stensland
On Feb. 3, Ryan Lee and Alexis Rauso opened the doors to the H Town Underground fitness center in Hayden.
Matt Stensland

— When you live in a small town like Hayden, the options can be limited.

A new pair of shoes and dress clothes oftentimes is at least a 30-minute drive away.

During the harsh winter months, those wanting to get in a workout have had to rely mainly on in-home gyms. Those with an in were able to use the gym at Hayden High School.



Ryan Lee and Alexis Rauso saw a niche that needed to be filled, and on Feb. 3, they opened the H Town Underground fitness center in the old Hayden Masonic Temple at 299 W. Jefferson Ave. Their goal was to help community members improve their fitness and live a happier lifestyle.

“That’s my intention — to get this town healthy, just giving them the option,” Lee said.



For the past year, Lee taught classes at the high school. He said his clients are enjoying the new space, and there have been about 10 newcomers in the first week.

H Town Underground currently offers three classes, but Lee and Rauso see many more opportunities to suit the needs of the community.

“We don’t want to exclude anyone,” Lee said. “That’s why we’re offering such a variety of classes.”

In addition to their current three styles of classes, they plan on soon offering a strength and stretch class and yoga.

Classes are offered at various times on weekdays.

On Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, all three classes are held. The Aging Women one-hour class offers a low-impact and low-intensity option. Fun Fit is 45 minutes long and attracts people of all ages wanting to exercise at a low- to moderate-intensity level.

The Underground is a moderate- to high-intensity class modeled after — and with the blessing of — Graham Muir’s Manic Training program in Steamboat Springs.

Lee and Rauso are firm believers that healthy eating plays a strong role in living a healthy lifestyle, and Rauso wants to utilize her training in nutrition counseling. The couple thinks that people need to devote 30 percent to work in the gym and 70 percent to proper nutrition.

“Exercising and not eating well is like mowing your lawn and never watering it,” Lee said.

For more information about H Town Underground’s classes and times, visit its Facebook page. It also has a website at http://www.htownunderground.com.

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland


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