Fitness
‘All about the community’: Albert Lea couple opens functional fitness center with hopes of making exercise less intimidating, accessible – Albert Lea Tribune
‘All about the community’: Albert Lea couple opens functional fitness center with hopes of making exercise less intimidating, accessible
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, October 9, 2025
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Ryan and Stacy Palmer opened Foundry Fitness to help people in the community overcome the misconception that crossfit exercise is too complicated or difficult. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune
Albert Lea couple Ryan and Stacy Palmer at the start of September opened their gym, Foundry Fitness, with the goal to bring functional fitness and CrossFit style exercise to everyone in the community.
Functional fitness, they explained, puts an emphasis on full body conditioning and strength training, which is good for maintaining bone strength and muscle mass at any age. It involves traditional strength training, gymnastics movements and aerobic conditioning like running and using bikes, rowers and other equipment
Ryan Palmer previously worked as a football and wrestling coach at Albert Lea High School in various capacities from 2005 to 2017. He said he pulled back from coaching after his three sons — also athletes — graduated from high school.
It was then, he said, that he became interested in functional fitness. While away at school, his sons also got involved with the activity.
“Now it’s kind of something we do as a family,” Ryan Palmer said.
One of their sons is currently a coach at a functional fitness gym in South Dakota.
“When we travel, it’s something we can drop into different gyms and do as a family,” Stacy Palmer said. She added this has also made it possible to see a variety of different CrossFit gyms and explore what does and does not work in the business, a skill that would come in handy when they opened Foundry Fitness.
The Palmers began the process of acquiring the gym building from CrossFit Innerdrive about nine months ago.
CrossFit Innerdrive’s owners were going to leave the fitness center business, but Ryan and Stacy Palmer said they did not want to see the functional fitness gym go.
“It’s something that we just love to do, and we didn’t want it to leave this community, this type of environment,” he said. “As someone who’s coached and been in different athletic endeavors throughout my life, I have a hard time going in and working out on my own and staying motivated. So this type of environment is important to me.”
It’s the only gym of its kind within 30 miles, Stacy Palmer said.
Ryan Palmer said there is a very good functional fitness gym in Austin, but he did not want to make the commute there every time he wanted to work out.
It was then the couple decided to open their own functional fitness gym, using the building and equipment from CrossFit Innerdrive as a starting point.
Foundry Fitness currently has 10 coaches. Some of them coach more frequently than others. Ryan Palmer said this gives members the opportunity to have multiple people mentoring them in their fitness journeys.
When it comes to functional fitness, he said, the goal is to make it as accessible as possible.
When people think about CrossFit, he said, they tend to become intimidated and think it is too complicated or difficult to do.
Even with his life-long background in athletics, he said, stepping into a CrossFit gym for the first time was intimidating. He wants to remove this barrier for others.
“The goal is to scale any movement that we have or any exercise that we have to fit that individual. And it doesn’t matter how slow you have to start, how many modifications need to be made; the key is just to be here,” Ryan Palmer said. “This is all about the community and everybody helping each other out.”
Another way the couple has made the space more inclusive is by setting up a children’s play space that is equipped with cameras so parents can work out while still keeping an eye on their children.
Right now, Stacy Palmer said, they are renting the space from the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency. She said their hope is to open a brand new facility about a block away that better fits their needs.
Ryan Palmer said the hope is to open the new building by spring.
Foundry Fitness will have a special grand opening event Oct. 18. It will begin with their traditional Saturday morning class at 8 a.m. followed by puppy yoga at 9:30 a.m. Afterwards, people are invited to enjoy coffee, breakfast burritos and doughnuts. The cost of the classes that day will a freewill donation to the Humane Society of Freeborn County, Ryan Palmer said, and people do not have to participate in the classes to join the fun — they can just stop by to check out the space and ask questions.
Even when it’s not the grand opening, he said, Saturday classes are always free for newcomers to drop in and see what the gym has to offer before committing to membership.
Stacy Palmer said Saturday classes are often big classes with a wide mix of ages and abilities.
To learn more about Foundry Fitness, visit the gym’s Facebook page or Instagram, @foundryfitmn, which is curated by Ryan and Stacy’s daughter, Taylor Palmer. Foundry Fitness also has a website, foundryfitmn.com.
Fitness
Fitness coach debunks 8 ‘crazy’ exercise myths women still believe: From periods and workouts to weightlifting
Despite growing awareness around fitness and women’s health, several outdated exercise myths continue to persist. From misconceptions about strength training to beliefs surrounding periods, pregnancy and weight loss, many women still receive advice that isn’t backed by science. These myths can not only slow progress but also discourage women from prioritising their health and fitness. (Also read: Can eating too much protein be harmful? Experts explain why excess intake may do more harm than good )
Fitness coach Zoe recently addressed some of the most common misconceptions women continue to hear in a June 12 Instagram post titled, “craziest exercise myths women still hear.” Here’s what she had to say:
1. Periods mean complete bed rest
According to Zoe, menstruation does not mean you need to stop exercising altogether. “No. You can train. Just adjust intensity if needed,” she wrote, explaining that while energy levels may fluctuate during different phases of the menstrual cycle, movement and exercise can still be beneficial.
2. After marriage or kids, fitness is not important
Many women are often made to feel that fitness should take a back seat after major life changes such as marriage or motherhood. Zoe strongly disagrees. “That is exactly when it becomes more important,” she said, highlighting the need to maintain strength, mobility and overall health while navigating increased responsibilities.
3. A C-section means your core is gone forever
Recovering from a Caesarean delivery can be challenging, but Zoe says it doesn’t mean women should give up on rebuilding strength. “Wrong. It means you need rebuilding, not giving up,” she wrote, emphasising that gradual rehabilitation and proper training can help restore core function.
4. Walking around the house is enough exercise
While daily movement is important, Zoe points out that it isn’t the same as a structured workout. “No. That is movement, not full training,” she explained, noting that a balanced fitness routine should include strength, mobility and cardiovascular exercises.
5. Sweating more means more fat loss
Many people associate excessive sweating with effective fat burning, but Zoe says that’s a common misunderstanding. “No. It means you are hot,” she wrote. Sweat is the body’s cooling mechanism and does not necessarily reflect the number of calories burned or fat lost.
6. Running will ruin your uterus, boobs or joints
This long-standing myth often discourages women from running or high-impact activities. “No. Poor preparation and weak support is the issue,” Zoe said, stressing the importance of proper training, supportive gear and gradually building endurance.
7. Women should only do yoga, not weights
Strength training is still viewed by some as a male-dominated form of exercise, but Zoe believes women benefit greatly from lifting weights. “Women need strength too,” she wrote, highlighting how resistance training supports muscle mass, bone health, metabolism and overall fitness.
8. Carbs at night make you fat
Carbohydrates often get unfairly blamed for weight gain, especially when eaten in the evening. “No. Overeating does,” Zoe explained, pointing out that overall calorie intake and dietary patterns matter far more than the timing of carbohydrate consumption.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
For Hobart teacher Mary Holton, health means everything.
She started feeling the squeeze from cost-of-living pressures when fuel prices spiked again.
“Going out for just fitness alone was a bit much,”
she said.
Mary Holton says since joining the group, her fitness across the board has improved. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
Many Tasmanians are feeling cost-of-living pressures in a very physical way, with locals saying exercise routines are being dropped, health appointments delayed and wellbeing pushed to the bottom of the list as budgets tighten.
Ms Holton relies on multiple physiotherapy sessions each week, but says paid fitness classes simply are not an option.
“That costs … so to actually go to other classes as well, it’s out of my budget really.“
Ollie Mathewson conducts a free workout session. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
National data shows that almost half of Australians already fall short of minimum physical activity guidelines, and rising prices are making even basic care unaffordable for many.
Consultant clinical psychologist academic Kimberley Norris says this is exactly how unhealthy patterns begin.
“We tend to focus on the most stressful thing first … and health is one of those things we don’t think about until things go wrong,”
Professor Norris said.
Kimberley Norris says humans tend to focus on alleviating stress first and foremost, and warns de-prioritising health can become a cycle. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
For Ms Holton, going to a free workout group in her local community was a game-changer.
“Came down and absolutely loved it. It’s really nice to have a group and it just keeps growing,” she said.
Finding a free exercise group has drastically improved her health, as noted by her GP, and she is part of a growing trend.
Free exercise classes become a lifeline
At a community exercise class in South Arm, south-east of Hobart, the mood is upbeat, with laughter, movement, and a sense of relief.
Participation has more than doubled in the past year, with more than 100 Tasmanians now involved.
Trainer Ollie Mathewson said the surge was unmistakable.
“It’s free of charge for everybody … and over the last 12 months I’ve noticed a lot more people starting to come along,”
he said.
Ollie Mathewson says attendance at his classes has almost doubled over the past year. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
Across greater Hobart, free and low-cost alternatives are multiplying and include walking groups, community-run circuits, and morning and afternoon fitness meet-ups.
Tasmanians are increasingly organising their own solutions.
Mr Mathewson said connections drive outcomes.
“A lot of people talk about weight and strength, which are obviously insanely important, having other people there to push you single every week makes it a hundred times easier.“
Professor Norris said one’s health can be prioritised for free.
“What we know about health is, it’s more about sustainable wellbeing, it’s about quality of life,” she said.
“So rather than focusing on how much you can deadlift, how far you can run, it’s about how your life has improved and how close your life is to the way you want to live it.”
She said free options were vital because once people stop moving, it becomes harder to start again.
“If we develop routines in which health is not a priority, then we almost get stuck in this cycle of health always being last.“
Health appointments being delayed or dropped
For some Tasmanians, the financial pressure is forcing even tougher choices.
Amy Dakin says she can’t even think about getting a gym membership with all the other costs of living on her mind. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
Amy Dakin, who lives with a compromised immune system, often has no choice but to delay essential care.
“My health needs to be prioritised, but your bills come first, really,” she said.
Jordyn Rowbottom says she’s not the only one changing her hobbies to save on costs. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
Jordyn Rowbottom has seen the same pattern around her.
“People are being forced to cut what they can access,”
she said.
Professor Norris warns that these short-term decisions can create long-term harm, not just for individuals, but for the broader health system.
She said the combination of financial pressure and reduced physical activity would create a public health challenge.
Trainers adapting to shrinking budgets
Personal trainer Nickola Orr works with clients across different income levels, ages and needs.
She said affordability now shapes almost every program she designs.
“You want to make sure they can get as much help as they can within their price range,”
she said.
Nickola Orr is concerned about access to fitness and health services in the face of rising cost pressures. (ABC News: Jake Grant)
With the median individual spend on fitness in Tasmania sitting at almost $600 last year, Ms Orr said the warning signs were already visible.
“We’re going to see more results of long-term neglect; higher injuries, more need for mental health assistance. It’s going to snowball.”
Her concerns echo Professor Norris’s academic findings that once healthy routines break down, the consequences ripple for years.
“The changes are very small … while they add up over time, there is no immediate impact,”
Ms Orr said.
Calls for more free and low-cost options
Mr Mathewson hopes the success of free community classes will inspire governments and private operators to expand accessible fitness programs.
“More free options would be a great thing. There are a few now, but there should be more,” he said.
The Tasmanian government has said it will release its 20-year preventive health strategy this month, titled The Health Revolution.
A Department of Health spokesperson said the strategy “will address the broader social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health and wellbeing”.
“Specific issues about access to health services and programs are being considered through the Access to Health Services project, a Commonwealth-State partnership.
“The Health Revolution will complement that project by addressing the root causes of poor health and the underlying conditions to make it easier for Tasmanians to live well.“
If you’ve been faithfully logging your 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, you’re getting the recommended weekly about of cardio. But a new study1 suggests that for women in midlife, that standard benchmark may not be moving the needle on cardiovascular fitness as much as we’ve assumed. Here’s what you need to know.
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