BY ISAIAH FRIZZELL
On the off chance that fitness made your New Year’s Resolutions list, you have to check out Anderson Performance Institute (API). Their grand opening is Friday, January 10, 2025.
Complete Fitness
In the old LLGreens space now sits the most state-of the-art fitness, and perhaps even more important, recovery, gym in the state. With the biggest Jiu-Jitsu rolling mat in Idaho, a professional boxing ring, body bags, speed bags, weights, and a plethora of pro trainers to get you more than fit – safety aware and all with world class recovery.
The recovery alone is worth a visit. They have a steam sauna, cold plunge tubs, infrared and red light therapy rooms, meditation classes and yoga. You can work your way to your goal in expert hands. Lee Anderson, Julie Daniels, Anderson’s son Storm and even his three-year-old Bear, who literally helps with the children’s classes are just a few of the decorated trainers handling classes and decorum. All of whom are championship competitors in the fighting and athletic endeavours. Anderson is confident “our coaching staff has competed, actually really competed, at the highest level professionally, and won.”
Anderson is a decorated tournament champion, himself, in kickboxing and cage fighting (MMA) and has put his blood, sweat and tears into this facility. Best believe he knows his stuff, hires the best and understands the journey – from top to bottom. They’ve been holding classes for the past few months but everyone’s excited for the grand opening as all amenities will be intact.
Wrestling Changeover
API has taken over the Wood River wrestling club as Anderson explains, “Wood River shut down their club wrestling program so they’re still gonna do their school wrestling for the high and middle school, but they’ve had a club wrestling program that’s ran for, gosh, 20, 30 years and they’re shutting it down. We’re taking it over, and it starts on Monday at our place.”
Big news! The original coach will be there as well. “The coaches that were there are transitioning to our place too. The head coach, Derek Ruhter, is coming to my place and he’s gonna be the assistant coach. And one of my guys, Shane McGough, is gonna be the head coach.“
Fee Structure
With nearly any program you like, all are available for a free try. From boxing to yoga to women’s cardio kickboxing, any class can be tried for free to test your mettle. Most excellent, API blessedly offers month to month memberships that can be paused without hassle or fee! The recovery center uses a punch card system where you can buy the year and click the card each session. With ultimate flexibility and community in mind we’re seeing a destination gym born right here in Hailey.
Cohesive Connection
“We have like three different yoga instructors and of course Noel Hodge. She’s going to be teaching a meditation mobility class. So, you know, it’s not just fire. It’s like fire and ice. We’ve got the yin and the yang. It’s not just a complete combat sports center.
It’s also meditation, mobility, yoga, movement and recovery. The total package.” Anderson has some of the best teachers in the Valley and surrounding towns.
One of the highlights of this new facility is women’s safety. “We have a women’s self-defense class coming up where women are going to learn personal awareness, gun safety, you know they’ll be going to the gun range.”
Though our area is fairly low crime these are fantastic fitness and even mental agility opportunities. It’s not just for the gym rats or high level competitors. Anderson makes it very, very clear that they are a family, community center “It’s really a team environment and there’s no ego, no attitude, there’s no tough guys. It’s all about team and family for us. We all have like-minded goals to help each other get better and keep each other safe and healthy.”
Everyone is welcome, from the beginner, the novice and the advanced. You can get your feet wet and see what jives with your physicality and schedule. Most classes are at night as well, so work and gym may coexist.
Community Courage
“Hey, we’ve created this for the community and tried to make it where there’s something for everybody here. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete, you’re already a high level athlete, you’re someone that wants to just try it out or you’re somebody in need.”
Anderson extends to those who may need financial flexibility.
“If you’re not financially capable, there’s options for you. If you need help, talk to us. We have something for everybody.
So it’s for our community. You know I’ve been doing this for 30 years. So this is kind of like celebrating 30 years of us helping the community and helping kids and just continuing on that path.”
What a path and what a place. Excellent location in downtown Hailey, full list of fitness options, flexible financing and friendly, championship instructors. It’s almost like a blend of the old Hailey vibe with the sparkle of new amenities.
Check out their site: api5bidaho.com/programs/boxing and simply talk to Anderson.
Happy New Year, and remember health is true wealth!
