In the United States, 68.8 percent of citizens are considered overweight or obese, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The concern for this statistic, along with a boom in new workout trends such as CrossFit, is helping the health and fitness industry to grow rapidly.

In Baldwin City, two local gym owners hustle to keep up with the growing demand for these services. George McCrary, owner of the Baldwin Athletic Club (BAC), offers classes in cross conditioning, hatha, or sculpt yoga, and strength training, in addition to tanning and juice bar options.

GetFit, owned by Chalene Skinner, emphasizes boxing and cross-training classes as well as personal training sessions. However, Skinner will be closing the brick-and-mortar GetFit location, behind the Baker tennis courts, for family reasons toward the end of September; however, she will continue to offer in-home workouts similar to the classes currently offered.

While the classes are a hit in the community, Skinner said not all classes are well attended by Baker students.

“I have had some Baker interns and some Baker guys come and be trainers, but I haven’t had a lot of Baker students come work out,” Skinner said.

Skinner believes there is an intimidation factor that stops some students, as well as community members, from hitting the gym, especially in cross-training and boxing classes.

“Don’t be scared. Start it and stick with it. I have a lot of people that ask about it but are really intimidated,” Skinner said. “If we could just get them to start they would fall in love with it.”

She added that college may be an ideal time to start.

“Now is a great time to maintain it if you aren’t already started on it,” she said. “Maybe they (students) will fall in love with it and be like ‘I really like this. Maybe I’ll go into physical therapy or personal training.’“

While some students may cite the cost of memberships as reason to avoid local gyms, sophomore Julia Southern also believes the intimidating atmosphere can keep inexperienced students away.

“I’m too shy to go to the gym. I don’t really know how to lift, and some people in there are pretty intimidating,” Southern said.

Skinner believes that if Baldwin residents and Baker students take a shot at some of the classes offered, they will fall in love with the therapeutic feeling and camaraderie that exercising creates.

Particularly in the case of CrossFit, participants enjoy the accountability and community created in the class setting. This class is one of the most popular services offered at GetFit.

“I see it as a lifestyle. Your whole group of friends do it — it is very much so a social aspect. You have to get people over that being scared,” Skinner said. “A lot of people think CrossFit is super badass and intense, (but in fact) everyone can do it. It’s easy to modify.”

Although junior Kyler Atwood has not yet attended a CrossFit class in Baldwin City, he plans to do so and believes the area is prime for students concerned with their health and fitness.

“Baldwin is in the heart of a populated area, so there are lots of opportunities out there,” Atwood said. “I think that people can make the best of what they have no matter what situation they are in as far as fitness goes.”

Students interested in making lifestyle changes or learning more about Baldwin’s health and fitness opportunities can contact Skinner at GetFit on Facebook or by phone at 785-304-9661 or the Baldwin Athletic Club at www.baldwinathleticclub.com, on Facebook.

Baker’s Mabee Fitness Center and Shore Weight Room are also available to students, faculty and staff throughout the week.