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Underground Fitness Set to Open its Doors
The student fitness center project proposed, outlined, and briefly described in the December 27, 2002 issue of the Vineyard
Gazette is beginning to take shape. Underground Fitness , a name recently decided upon, will be a largely student-run organization.
A board of directors (Hans Buder, Elizabeth Clark, Rob Hale, Kevin Hopkins, Amanda Klein, Tonya Leonard, Emma Lovewell, Liza
Reynolds and Nate Thayer) has been established and has been meeting on a frequent basis for the past month. The Charter Co-Chairs
of the fitness center, Karl & Lynn Buder spearheaded the essential fundraising and helped develop the student leadership concept.
The Buders recognised the need to hand over the daily operations of the fitness center to the students and adult advisers.
The future of the project is now in the students hands. Underground Fitness is unique in the respect that the students make
the decisions. Thus, the student board members learn invaluable lessons in public relations, business management, finance
and most importantly, community service.
Adult Advisors
High school students enjoy a majority of the decision making power within the hierarchy of Underground Fitness; however, they
also listen attentively to the sound advice and insights given by the adult advisors (Robert Reisch, Peter Metell, and Chris
Forbes). Yet, it would be a slight to refer to them as mere advisors. These three, and indeed countless others, have played
an integral and invaluable role in the creation of Underground Fitness. They have done everything from idea conception, to
equipment restoration, and facility renovation. They have flown as far south as Fort Myers, Florida, and driven as far north
as Toronto, Canada in search of the best equipment and other essentials required to open a truly first-class gym. The students
are more than an idealistic brainstorming committee allocating funds for the purchase of televisions; the student board members
have done the dirty work alongside their adult counterparts during the past few months as well. Whether maneuvering pieces
of Nautilus heavier than small cars through doorways, ripping up damaged carpet, or assembling equipment, the student board
members have been right there sweating alongside the adults who so generously chose to help them.
Our Mission
The goal of Underground Fitness is to introduce high school students to a fitness oriented lifestyle. The facility is located
underneath the Parish Center of the Roman Catholic Parishes of Marthas Vineyard (the old Oak Bluffs School) and the parish
has magnanimously donated the space as well as the utilities; however, the fitness center is non-denominational. There will
be absolutely no proselytizing of any kind. The only preaching will be in regards to proper exercise techniques, and the only
adult figures giving instruction will be personal trainers. Students will be asked to sit down with one of the personal trainers
when they apply for their membership and to make a list of goals. Then the personal trainer will make suggestions and if the
student chooses, the personal trainer will develop a personalized training regimen designed to get the student the results
that they are seeking. Membership will be free and the only requirements will be the students enrollment at the Marthas Vineyard
Regional High School, the students signature accepting the rules and regulations of Underground Fitness, and a parents signature
to sign off on liability. Underground Fitness presents high school students with a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with
personal trainers at no cost. Among the programs countless benefits are: the development of a student population involved
in the betterment of their community, the cultivation of a community of students devoted to a common goal and working side
by side to achieve it, and the education of students in the field of human anatomy and fitness.
We Are Ready To Open Our Doors !
Physically, Underground Fitness is 100% complete. The gym is stocked with top of the line, commercial-quality equipment.
The gym boasts a free weight area, a wide array of Nautilus machines, a cardio area, over 250 square feet of mirror, brand
new carpeting and flooring, a brand new sound system, and three television sets. Our sneak preview was Monday, February 17.
Underground Fitness would like to thank all of the philanthropists who have made generous donations and contributions to our
cause.
The Future Depends on YOU !
Much more will be required in order to maintain the existing equipment and space, hire staff, and hopefully
expand. All donations are gratefully accepted. Questions, comments, and donors, should call Hans or Karl Buder @508-693-3333.
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