Best Local Gym – Genesis Health Club
Student athletes frequent health center
More from the Student Choice Awards
In addition to this location on Iowa, Genesis is in the middle of a remodel of its Mesa Way location, giving students more fitness opportunities. Photo by Sam Goodwin, The Free Press
Location: 3201 Mesa Way, 2339 Iowa St.
Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday
Total votes: 266
Best known for: Customer service and workout programs
Year established in Lawrence: 2011
Entering Genesis health club, Free State junior Jordan Patrick is instantly energized. He finishes his warm up, puts in his earbuds and heads over to the weights section.
With two locations, both less than two miles from the two high school campuses, Genesis Health Cub offers a complete exercise experience.
Students from both schools and all walks of life get involved with the gym at varying levels. The establishments offer free-form workout equipment, classes and workshops, and hire trainers for a more personal experience. Genesis also employs high school students.
“I love it. It’s promoting everything good,” Lawrence High senior and Genesis employee Elizabeth Harms said. “I like working out and being healthy, so it’s a great place. I work there also, so I’m typically there like four days a week. I usually workout after my shifts.”
Some gyms don’t allow minors, but Genesis tries to accommodate everyone.
“High school students are eligible to work out at the club,” Genesis club manager Lisa Erickson said. “We have several students on family memberships and they are seen in the gym quite often. We provide results-based training that can be customized to different athletic goals for students who participate in sports.”
Besides the club-endorsed workouts, camps and training sessions, there is also a classic, free-form gym area, which includes weights, benches, treadmills and other machines.
“I go to Genesis whenever I can, and I enjoy all the weights and workout apparatus,” Patrick said.“It’s very convenient.”
Genesis is currently renovating its Sixth Street location.
“We should be finishing our major renovations in early 2015, so expect a brand-new beautiful facility, new equipment and more space,” Erickson said.
![Local photographer Amy Dye photographs Free State senior Meghan Perry during a photo session across the street from Dye’s house. “Honestly, I don’t know why [my photography is popular],” Dye said. “I’m just glad that it is.” Seniors can set up their sessions by visiting her website, www.amydyephotography.com. Photo by Mary Brady, The Free Press](https://lhsbudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/AmyDye1_Mary-copy-475x317.jpg)
![A common study spot for Free State students, Dillons caters to both sides of 15th Street, offering many students their first job. “It’s pretty easy to get hired there, so I guess that would be a pretty good reason to give them the [award],” senior Stewart Merz said. Photo by Sam Goodwin, The Free Press](https://lhsbudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/20141203-SamG_Dillons-20-2-475x317.jpg)
