GYM/PHYSICAL FITNESS CENTER
(715) 536-2481
24 Hour Access
24-Hour Access is available to the Fit and Core Zones, with the following guidelines to be followed:
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• Must be at least 13 years of age. Under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian (who is a member with 24 hour access) during 24 hour usage.
• Cost is $25 per individual or $40 per family, and runs concurrent with your membership term.
• Each person is expected to swipe his or her own membership card upon entry into the 24-hour workout area.
• All 24-hour participants must sign a 24-hour conduct agreement before their membership card will be activated for use.
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Warm Water Pool
We are proud to offer the Merrill community the only warm-water recreational, therapeutic, and instructional indoor water facility pool in our area.
• Children under 13 must be accompanied by a guardian 16 or older unless parent can show proof that the child has completed Level 4 of Red Cross/YMCA swimming lessons. A copy of the child’s Level 4 completion card will be made and kept on file. There is no lifeguard on duty. You swim at your own risk. We strongly recommend that children are supervised.
• Pool temperature is 86 degrees.
• Pool depth ranges from 2.5 feet in the shallow end to 4 feet in the swim lanes.
• Whirlpool spa temperature is 102 degrees (must be at least 6 years of age to utilize and must be supervised).
• Pool length is 55 feet, meaning 48 laps / 96 lengths to one mile.
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Build
Sauna
The aim of Group Training is to forge a broad, general and inclusive fitness. We have sought to build a program that will best prepare trainees for any physical contingency — not only for the unknown, but for the unknowable.
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Our program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Our specialty is not specializing. This means we do something different every day and use exercises that work your entire body in a way that mimics things you do in real life. Intensity is the key. Everyone from an absolute beginner to a professional athlete is challenged… and you are NEVER bored.
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Group Training is designed for universal scalability making it the perfect application for any committed individual regardless of experience. Athletes attend sessions during which every athlete is coached by a trainer to complete the entire session.
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Enjoy the many benefits of sitting in the sauna after your workout. The most common reasons people will use the sauna is to ease pain after a workout or reduce stress. Using the sauna will also lower your blood pressure, improve skin problems that may come up, and even help with cardiovascular health.
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Tanning
Riverside’s clean and spacious tanning beds are open to members and non-members alike and are available during regular club hours. We have one 20-minute bed and one Super Bronzer 12-minute bed plus we carry a line of tanning products to enhance your tan and keep your skin moisturized.
Strength Equipment
We offer a wide variety of free weights and equipment that utilizes your own body weight including kettlebells, dumbbells, TRX straps, bands, medicine balls, wall balls, heavy ropes and more. We encourage and train our members on different pieces of equipment so their workouts are never boring nor repetitive. We believe one of the keys to a great fitness program is diversity and to keep the body guessing. We want you to succeed in your fitness goals and our strength equipment and skilled trainers can help you do just that.
Studio 500
Get your hair cut, colored and or styled in the same place you work out.
Contact 715-536-1784 to set up your appointment. We have a nail tech, call 715-409-9417.
Mini Muscles
Mini Muscles Gymnastic classes are offered at Riverside Athletic Club. Fundamental skills are taught using floor mats, beams, vault and the springboard. Our Philosophy is to help child development by building strength, balance and awareness in a creatively fun and safe environment. Gymnastics, tumbling, and fitness are the tools Mini Muscles Gymnastics uses to help develop well rounded individuals. In turn, your child will gain self-confidence, discipline and physical fitness skills with the opportunity to make friendships throughout their athletic journey.
Basketball
The overall schedule is set up as an “open gym”, meaning we keep a minimum schedule of events so that our members and guests may play the games of their choice. The few activities that do reserve the gym are listed on the gym door. The schedule may vary from season to season, so check on the gym door or call Member Services at 715-536-2481.
We do not allow any hardball throwing in the gym. No food or beverages are allowed in the gym, unless specific permission has been given for a special club function or event.
Pickleball
Who Should Play Pickleball? Who Is Pickleball Good For?
EVERYONE! When pickleball was invented one of the goals was to create a game the whole family could have fun playing.
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Pickleball can be played by young kids and or those that are young at heart. We've seen people into their 80's on the court playing at a high level and having fun. A wonderful feature of the game is that there is something for all ages and ability levels in pickleball. What a beautiful thing it is that we have a game for virtually everyone!
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Although pickleball has gained a lot of popularity among seniors, pickleball is a great sport for kids too. Because the court is smaller and the ball doesn't move as fast as a tennis ball, it allows for a bit better rallies than tennis.
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What are you waiting for? Come in today and enjoy a game of pickleball!
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Group Exercise
Our land group exercise classes are a perfect way to get a workout into your schedule. Feel the difference when you step onto this cushioned floor, put in to reduce impact on your joints. These classes are ongoing and included as part of your monthly membership. Please pick up a current class schedule at Member Services. Nonmembers may also attend using a Flex card (10 classes for only $55 to be usedin 3 months) or purchase a daily class pass for only $7.
Silver Sneakers/ Silver&Fit/Optum/Renew Active/AARP Supplement and more
SilverSneakers is a program encouraging older adults to participate in physical activities that will help them to maintain greater control of their health. It sponsors activities and social events designed to keep seniors healthy while encouraging social interaction.
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Silver&Fit is a fitness and healthy aging program designed by American Specialty Health (ASH). It's designed specifically for older adults. You may get access to Silver&Fit as a Medicare beneficiary through many insurance companies' Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans.
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With Optum® Fitness Advantage, Renew Active and AARP Supplement Program from UnitedHealthcare®, it’s easy to keep your fitness routine fresh and fun. When you visit any participating location, you'll have access to a variety of exercise classes, fitness equipment and social activities. And you can visit any participating location at no additional cost to you, since Optum Fitness Advantage is part of your UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan.
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We will help with checking for eligibility.
Noble Warrior Martial Arts
From ages 5-adult, Karate is a popular activity that teaches life skills. For additional questions or registering contact John Green 715-573-5048.
Health in Motion
We were founded in 1994 with the goal to make physical therapy more visible and more accessible. We established a knowledgeable group of Doctors of Physical Therapy who specialize in movement. Now, through our organic growth over the past two decades, we have eight locations serving central Wisconsin where we help our patients move better with less pain and discomfort. With the help of our highly trained teams, we continually strive to empower people to optimize function. We offer FREE 15 minute no obligation screens that let you see how we can help you. Stop by our clinic on the first floor near the racquetball courts, call our Merrill location at (715) 722-1101 or visit our website at himwi.com for more information or to schedule your FREE screen. Health In Motion: KEEPING YOU MOVING!"
Swim Lessons
Little Mammals swim lessons introduces infants and toddler to the aquatic environment through exploration. Lessons are designed to encourage kids to enjoy themselves and learn about the water. Swim Lessons start around 18 months with parent participation, your child will lean to blow bubbles on the surface of water, move and float in various positions, overcome fear of water, and more. As your child progresses, they will become independent in the water and learn to go underwater. Call us at 715-536-2481 to register your child.
RAC History
Paul Kienitz, owner of Riverside Athletic club, began his gym business as the Fitness Force in 1981. At that time the location was a medium sized former garage in downtown Merrill. The gym consisted of twelve Nautilus machines and one exercise bike. As things progressed, the Fitness Force was able to add group exercise classes, tanning, bring in several more bikes, and open a second Fitness Force in Wausau.
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As the business grew, a new location and a larger building were needed. The current site at 500 South Center Avenue was constructed and opened in 1989. The new building was given the name Riverside Athletic Club, Inc. Expansion of the original building in 1996 brought a gymnasium, balcony workout area, a laundry/storage room, and added Studio 500 as a tenant.
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A second expansion in 2002 added the aquatic center, pool locker rooms, an expanded personal coaching area, new Endless Summer Tan Center, and updated the reception and lobby areas. This expansion also brought another tenant, a massage therapist.
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In 2011, Riverside Athletic Club again expanded its business to meet the needs of the community by bringing a face lift to the gymnasium by adding Artificial Turf to half of the gym as well as new equipment to be used in various programs.
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In 2015 and 2016 Riverside wanted to address the needs of a larger demographics by adding more functional training equipment to its facility. This expansion brought the addition of several new pieces of equipment and a new Functional Training Area that is available 24 Hours a day. Mini Muscles gymnastics was also added for ages 18 months-9 years old.
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In 2019, Riverside Athletic Club added a traverse rock climbing wall to add to the membership perks.
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Today, Riverside Athletic Club covers just less than 30,000 square feet and is home for several small business tenants; Studio 500, Weight Watchers, In Touch Massage Therapy, and Noble Warrior Karate.
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