A New Chapter Begins – A Sneak Peak of What’s Ahead for Destination Fitness

August 29, 2024

We’re thrilled to announce the next exciting phase of our journey – welcoming our current members into our new and improved space this November. As we prepare to softly open our doors, we’re eager to share what this initial phase will look like for our current members. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to our fitness family, here’s what you can expect as we gear up for the grand opening.

November 2024: A Sneak Peak For Our Members
Starting in November, our gym will open its doors exclusively to current members. This soft opening is our way of saying thank you for your support. We’re giving you a first look at all the new features and amenities we’ve been working on. Here’s what will be available:

The Gym, Locker Rooms, Saunas, and Aerial Studio: These core facilities will be fully operational, ready for you to jump back into your fitness routine or try something new.

Shake Shop in Practice Mode: Our new shake shop will be testing out nutritional goodies. During this time, you can purchase shakes and provide valuable feedback as we perfect our menu.

Select Services Available: In November, we’ll also begin offering a limited range of services, including facials and massages. Stay tuned for more information on how to book these appointments.

December 2024: Opening the Doors to All
As we move into December, we’ll be opening our doors to everyone. This marks the official start of our broader community involvement, where new members can join and experience everything we have to offer.

January 2025: Grand Opening Weekend
To kick off the New Year, we’re planning a Grand Opening Weekend on January 4th and 5th. This will be a celebration of all we’ve accomplished together, with special events, classes, and more. We can’t wait to share more details as the date approaches.

As we continue to prepare for these exciting milestones, we’ll keep you updated with all the latest information. Thank you for being a part of the Destination Fitness family. We’re excited to begin this new journey with you soon.

Kait

Kait was born and raised in Duluth. She played soccer, softball, and figure skated as a kid but quit when things got too scary (Fast pitch? Scary. Spinning jumps on ice? Scary). In high school she played volleyball until that got too scary (overhand serves hurt when you get hit in the face). She was also a cheerleader until that got too scary (catching a flying person). She went to UW-Eau Claire for college where she played no sports and did no working out. Then she moved in with a boy. Neither of them learned how to cook (too scary?) so they ate out a lot. Kait gained a lot of weight. “A lot a lot” of weight (scary for health reasons).

The she ditched the boy and moved home to Duluth. She didn’t realize how much she loved to move her body until she went to her first Zumba class. Zumba turned into running, which turned into group fitness classes, which turned into saying yes to absolutely every new activity anyone asked her to try – races, spin classes, yoga classes, indoor triathlons, dragon boats, rec league softball, bar league volleyball, Ragnar, inline skating marathons, Tough Mudders… she loved everything so much, Kait became the pusher of others to try new things with her. Are new things scary? Absolutely. But she hasn’t quit yet (except for CrossFit… because the barbell was scary… but a few personal training sessions with Julie seven years later took care of that fear).

In the years between quitting CrossFit and overcoming her fear of the barbell, Kait started teaching fitness classes (SUPER scary at first). She got her first certification in 2018 and started teaching at Destination Fitness a few weeks later. Kait’s taught in a few studios around Duluth over the years, but Destination Fitness will always be home for her.

Kait’s actual home is in Lakeside with her French Bulldog-Chihuahua mix, Clyde. She has a boyfriend, Dan, who loves inline skating, volleyball, and golf. She has twin nieces who she can’t wait to get into sports and piano lessons when they’re old enough. Kait’s super supportive parents still come to her races and volleyball games any chance they get. Kait works as an HR systems analyst by day and teaches fitness classes by morning, evening, and weekend. Her two fitness life goals are to do one singular hand stand push-up (really, just one is fine) and be a pacer in a running race. She is inspired by everyone out there finding the courage to try new things, and not quitting when things get too scary.

Kait is a Certified Personal Trainer, RYT-200 Yoga Instructor, and Certified YogaBarre Instructor, and is in the process of completing her Corrective Exercise Specialist and Nutrition Coach certifications.

Julie Hendrickson

Certifications Held
Personal Trainer, Yoga Specialty, Kettlebell Specialty, Group Fitness Instructor, Senior Fitness

I began my fitness journey as an 8 year old. That was the year I began participating in running races and scored a whole 4 points in my first basketball season. Come 7th grade, I was able to play basketball and run track for Duluth East. The next year, I added volleyball. After high school, I was fortunate enough to be able to continue my volleyball career at good old UMD. I will never forget my first off-season weight training session with Annie Sitek (the first time I had ever lifted) She was a senior and a LOT stronger than I…Needless to say, I couldn’t move the next day. Learning to lift free weights in college proved to be the most beneficial skill I left with. During those years, fitness was easy!!! Being told what to do and when to do it, made things simple.

Next Chapter Motherhood
Uh oh. No longer was I being told what to do and how to do it. After having two kids, I was struggling with my fitness. The weight gain wasn’t too bad, but I just didn’t know WHAT to do. In January 2008, while also getting pregnant with #3, we decided to join the YMCA. They help people with their membership fees if they cannot afford payment. With me being a stay at home mom and Mike a truck-driver, we were broke!! I spent the first month in the weight room, where I was comfortable, and thought I was getting in pretty good shape. Next thing I know, I am invited to join a bootcamp class and I went. Ok, I guess I wasn’t in such great shape. People 3 times my age were killing me. BOO. Nevertheless, I was an athlete darn it, and I worked hard to get back at it. I loved classes! It brought me back to being part of a team. I worked out hard all throughout my pregnancy and cruised through labor and delivery. Yay to getting back in the gym 2 weeks later.

Next Chapter Class Instructor
Anna McGee (instructor at the YMCA) believed in me… I guess. She taught me how to instruct BOSU Challenge. I was hooked on teaching. I was hooked on helping people feel awesome/exhausted.

Next Chapter Triathlete
We thought that Steve and Angel Hohenstein were gods. They were triathletes and we wanted in. We had found a new challenge. I still remember my first group ride and asking Angel how long it would take before my legs would stop burning. She said “never, you just get used to it.” Awesome, sign me up. I raced several years at the Sprint, Olympic, and Half Ironman distances, as well as participating in some local half marathons, and found it very challenging and liberating. I generally placed in the top 10% and was happy with that.

Next Chapter Personal Trainer
I was ready to help people in a more intimate way. Personal training was the vehicle. After studying hard, I became a certified personal trainer for the YMCA. I love being a part of everyone’s success story. One day, my client Nicole asked me to come to her house. I told her that YMCA policy wouldn’t allow that, but it got me thinking. I wondered if there were more people out there who needed a trainer to come to their home, and hence, Destination Fitness was born.

Next Chapter Destination Fitness
Apparently there was a great need for an in home personal trainer. God had set us on the right path. After the first year, we were lucky enough to find a studio at the DECC. It was great for the time being ,but in 2014 we moved up to Rice Lake and started building our very own space. Our Rice Lake studio opened in August 2016 and has been awesome for our family and business.

Outside the studio
We live right next door to our studio which is THE BEST! In my free time I like to workout, cook, feed the birds, do yard work, read & watch movies while snuggling with the cats. When I’m lucky, I get to spend time with our 3 adult children, all of whom are still in town. Mike and I hit the jackpot with these kids and we have so much fun together.

A New Chapter Begins – A Sneak Peak of What’s Ahead for Destination Fitness

Julie Hendrickson

Owner/Instructor

Mike Hendrickson

Owner/Instructor

FITNESS

WELLNESS

RESOURCES

FITNESS

WELLNESS

RESOURCES

ABOUT US

This is for “open gym” members only.

Benefits of using an infrared sauna:

better sleep

relaxation

detoxification

weight loss

relief from sore muscles

relief from joint pain such as arthritis

clear and tighter skin

improved circulation

help for people with chronic fatigue syndrome

A New Chapter Begins – A Sneak Peak of What’s Ahead for Destination Fitness

Julie Hendrickson

Owner/Instructor

Mike Hendrickson

Owner/Instructor

FITNESS

WELLNESS

RESOURCES

FITNESS

WELLNESS

RESOURCES

ABOUT US

Sea Smoke Aerial Questions

Hailey Chupp

Steve Grigal

Christen Hull

Jeannine Leste

Schedule a Tour

In-Person Registration

Suzy Jezierski

Kait

Julie Hendrickson

Request a Personal Training Consult

Request a Nutrition Consultation

INFRARED SAUNA

This is for “open gym” members only.

Benefits of using an infrared sauna:

better sleep

relaxation

detoxification

weight loss

relief from sore muscles

relief from joint pain such as arthritis

clear and tighter skin

improved circulation

help for people with chronic fatigue syndrome