New exercise D1 Training Facility opens in Bloomingdale
A D1 Training Facility has opened in Bloomingdale, and while it is geared to all ages, high school and younger athletes appear to be particularly interested.
Owners Christian and Deanna Hess are joining 50 other D1 locations nationwide. The franchise is backed by several professional athletes, including NBA All-Star Chris Paul from the Phoenix Suns and linebacker Von Miller of the Los Angeles Rams. It was founded by former University of Tennessee football player Will Bartholomew, whose career with the Denver Broncos was cut short by a knee injury in 2001. His training of middle school athletes back home in Nashville led to the creation of D1.
Christian Hess said that inspiring others to be their best selves through fitness motivated him to join the D1 family. He said more than 100 people have signed up for classes since the Bloomingdale facility open in early February, most of them teens. The gym is at 400 W. Army Trail Road, Unit 103.
D1 specializes in class exercises and high-intensity interval training workouts.
The Hesses said the gym works with people who have different levels of experience and fitness goals, and is centered on maintaining fitness levels for amateur and professional athletes, with workout programs for children as young as 7.
"People are seeing an increase in speed and confidence in their kids," Christian Hess said.
"They are seeing their goals get achieved and that's what we strive for. As people who truly want to have a positive impact on our community, it was the heart, passion and purpose of this brand that really resonated with us."
The Hess family are all athletes, including the couple's three children.
The gym holds classes of up to 15 people that go 50 minutes to an hour. Each class consists of a warm-up, cardio, strength, conditioning and cool-down periods. A membership ranges around $150 to $200 per month.
"Chris and Deanna are the ideal candidates to bring the D1 Training experience to Bloomingdale," said D1's Chief Operating Officer Dan Murphy in a statement. "We're thrilled to welcome them to the D1 family and are confident in their ability to show the Bloomingdale area what they've been missing."