The Powerlifting Club at BGSU is excited to announce its new partnership with Able Body Fitness this fall. Founder of the club, Clay Boberg, formed a connection with the gym in 2023 when he began his fitness journey there. It was at this time that he met the gym owner, Cory Foster, who graciously invited the club to establish a presence at his facility.
 
This partnership has brought numerous benefits to the powerlifting club. Boberg explained, "Having a gym that promotes powerlifting as a sport and creates a space for our team to grow together is invaluable." Able Body Fitness serves as a safe environment for individuals to pursue their personal fitness goals, with a strong focus on accommodating BGSU college students. The club members remark on how effective the partnership has been for equipment use and proper training. Not having to worry about the interference of others training or the clubs when using a lot of equipment at a time, or making noise with weights is a huge benefit.
 
One of the standout features of this partnership is the gym's commitment to giving back to the club and the community. For every gym membership sold through the club, or any referral made, Able Body Fitness matches the allocated funds and invests in specially selected equipment by the club. Memberships are just $22 a month, with no annual startup or cancellation fees. This initiative has led to a significant increase in memberships from the BGSU community, and with active club members increasing from 3 last year to 25 this season. Each powerlifting member must also purchase a gym membership for the use of space and equipment, ultimately giving back to their club.
 
"I like how we can reserve racks for team training, making it easier to get everyone together in one facility," said club member James Peugot.
 
The owner, Cory Foster, also offers words of encouragement for newcomers: "Getting started can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. You don't have to dive in all at once. Just come in, walk on the treadmill or stair master, and gradually familiarize yourself with the space. If I hadn't had people encouraging me to start lifting, I wouldn't be where I am today."
 
Able Body Fitness is not only beneficial to the Powerlifting Club but to the Bowling Green Community as a whole. The gym offers specialized equipment that many local gyms may lack, including a pendulum squat, specialty bars, Ohio bars, Texas bars for deadlifting, a deadlift platform, and loose chalk to enhance grip. This supportive atmosphere fosters social interaction and collaboration amongst the club members and other gym-goers as they work towards their lifting goals.
 
Boberg remarked, "As our club promotes a healthier lifestyle for everyone, it is reassuring to know that we have an incredible space with an extremely generous community that wants our athletes to succeed and grow."
 
If you are interested in joining the Powerlifting Club, reach out to Clay Boberg at cboberg@bgsu.edu
 
For more information about Able Body Fitness, visit at 1234 N. Main St. "First visit is on us!" Try out the equipment before committing to the Able Body community. You can also visit their website or give them a call at 419-354-5060 for more details.