The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

There is no longer an excuse to not work out in Wahkiakum County. Dave Gehrman and Julie Fritsch have opened “The Cathlamet Gym” on Main Street and it is sure to please athletes and non athletes of all ages.

Always the entrepreneur, Gehrman made his own weight room in his parent’s basement as a kid.

“I made all my own weights out of concrete and pipe,” he said. Then his friends would come over and work out too.

He moved his makeshift gym to an abandoned gas station in Longview; more people came to work out. Thus, “Dave’s Body Shop” was born. With more people interested in working out, he purchased a house with a large garage for workouts.

Neighbors objected to the number of people coming in and out of the house fearing the worst. A nearby church would hold PE classes there. Just under a half mile away, they would run down, work out, and run back.

With the clientele continuing to grow, Gehrman opened “Physical Impact” and, after a few changes in location, settled into the former JCPenney building in downtown Longview. The gym still exists and is run by his brother, Ron.

Gehrman has always wanted to open a gym locally, but there wasn’t anything available. When he heard the Mylett’s space was becoming available, he jumped on it.

“Now, here we are,” he said. The space has been revamped and walls have been opened up. People come in and they only see one side. They have no idea an extra room has opened up.

The new gym has different types of full circuit Nautilus Equipment, meaning a machine to work every body part. He has cardio equipment, free weights, dumbbells, barbells, squat equipment and more. What is nice about the Nautilus Equipment, Gehrman said, is the weight goes down to zero. “So, it’s good rehabilitation equipment too.”

Getting out and moving is very important, Gehrman said.

“If you were born with an owner’s manual, it would say exercise regularly,” he said. So many people just don’t do it, especially when they retire. The ironic thing is, Gehrman said, is that most of the people who have joined the gym so far are ages 40-70.

Gehrman is willing to help people to find a routine until they are comfortable on the machines alone.

“Once you go through it once or twice, you know how to use it,” he said.

In the future, personal training may become available, most likely after the first of the year.

The Cathlamet Gym caters to all ages and experience levels. They are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Hours may change depending on public interest.

Membership prices vary, and student and senior rates are available. The Cathlamet Gym is open now, with a grand opening planned for November 22.