By Cindy Ladage
The corner building where the Uptown Iron Gym and Martial Arts Studio are located has been an icon on the Pawnee Square for decades. Located at 609 Seventh Street the location is the former home of Dance-N-Flip. For years tumbling, gymnastics and dancing were part of the weave of the Pawnee Village with parents and grandparents attending recitals at the Pawnee school to watch the culmination of a year’s worth of effort.
This however is just part of the history of this building though. Many that have been around Pawnee for years though may even remember that this was once skating rink at least twice and maybe more.
It seems the building has almost always been a place where physical fitness is at the forefront and that is true today.
Uptown Iron Gym
The owners of the Uptown Iron Gym are Cliff and Amanda Reed. This past November, the Uptown Iron Gym celebrated its first year anniversary. The Reeds have roots in Pawnee where they live and their children go to school. Cliff and Amanda have five children between the ages of 18 and one and know the importance of offering physical activities year round.
Cliff, who also owns Reed’s Tree Lawn and Landscape Company, has a long history of fitness and body building. He has been offering personal training sessions and youth mixed martial arts (MMA) classes for several years.
Growing up in Springfield, Illinois, Cliff explained that he began his weight training at an early age working with his brothers Les and Marvin. “We always had a weight bench somewhere at the house,” Cliff said.
Along with weight training, Cliff also experienced martial arts at a young age. Starting martial arts at the age of seven, Cliff progressed to a Black Belt and teaching assistant by the age of 20. Using his experiences at gyms over the years Cliff has worked with the “who’s who” of body builders.
Classes
Cliff has turned his training to his own gym wanting in particular to work with the families and the local youth. He offers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) classes to youth where they concentrate on stand up and ground self defense. “Physically, mentally and spiritually, this carries over in what the parents teach their children. The gym is a great opportunity for kids and families to do in their spare time.”
“I have been blessed with some really great kids,” Cliff said about the youth participating in his classes. This seems to enhance the activities kids are involved in rather than take away. Many are involved with sports and Cliff said they are in the MMA class when not on a team.
Membership & Personal Training
Besides the classes, members can join the gym and work out at their leisure or take personal training courses from Cliff. If wanting to learn how best to use the weights and machines Cliff offers sessions to help them get the results they desire.
The Uptown Iron Gym is in a building that has carried on a physical fitness tradition for decades. Best of all, the gym is right here in your own backyard. You don’t have to travel a long distance to have access to fitness.
While the gym is filled with weight lifting equipment, this is not just a place for men to work out, Cliff shared that this is a family place and that many women and families are finding this a great place to work out as well. Women are learning the important role that weight bearing exercise is playing in women’s health.
As for what’s new over the past year Cliff said, “We've added a couple new machines to the gym and some new wall art. I’m super excited about everything.”
The gym is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through a keypad so members can work out anytime of the day or night. For more information about Uptown Iron Gym, call 217-299-0067 or email cliffr1973@gmail.com.
The corner building where the Uptown Iron Gym and Martial Arts Studio are located has been an icon on the Pawnee Square for decades. Located at 609 Seventh Street the location is the former home of Dance-N-Flip. For years tumbling, gymnastics and dancing were part of the weave of the Pawnee Village with parents and grandparents attending recitals at the Pawnee school to watch the culmination of a year’s worth of effort.
This however is just part of the history of this building though. Many that have been around Pawnee for years though may even remember that this was once skating rink at least twice and maybe more.
It seems the building has almost always been a place where physical fitness is at the forefront and that is true today.
Uptown Iron Gym
The owners of the Uptown Iron Gym are Cliff and Amanda Reed. This past November, the Uptown Iron Gym celebrated its first year anniversary. The Reeds have roots in Pawnee where they live and their children go to school. Cliff and Amanda have five children between the ages of 18 and one and know the importance of offering physical activities year round.
Cliff, who also owns Reed’s Tree Lawn and Landscape Company, has a long history of fitness and body building. He has been offering personal training sessions and youth mixed martial arts (MMA) classes for several years.
Growing up in Springfield, Illinois, Cliff explained that he began his weight training at an early age working with his brothers Les and Marvin. “We always had a weight bench somewhere at the house,” Cliff said.
Along with weight training, Cliff also experienced martial arts at a young age. Starting martial arts at the age of seven, Cliff progressed to a Black Belt and teaching assistant by the age of 20. Using his experiences at gyms over the years Cliff has worked with the “who’s who” of body builders.
Classes
Cliff has turned his training to his own gym wanting in particular to work with the families and the local youth. He offers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) classes to youth where they concentrate on stand up and ground self defense. “Physically, mentally and spiritually, this carries over in what the parents teach their children. The gym is a great opportunity for kids and families to do in their spare time.”
“I have been blessed with some really great kids,” Cliff said about the youth participating in his classes. This seems to enhance the activities kids are involved in rather than take away. Many are involved with sports and Cliff said they are in the MMA class when not on a team.
Membership & Personal Training
Besides the classes, members can join the gym and work out at their leisure or take personal training courses from Cliff. If wanting to learn how best to use the weights and machines Cliff offers sessions to help them get the results they desire.
The Uptown Iron Gym is in a building that has carried on a physical fitness tradition for decades. Best of all, the gym is right here in your own backyard. You don’t have to travel a long distance to have access to fitness.
While the gym is filled with weight lifting equipment, this is not just a place for men to work out, Cliff shared that this is a family place and that many women and families are finding this a great place to work out as well. Women are learning the important role that weight bearing exercise is playing in women’s health.
As for what’s new over the past year Cliff said, “We've added a couple new machines to the gym and some new wall art. I’m super excited about everything.”
The gym is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through a keypad so members can work out anytime of the day or night. For more information about Uptown Iron Gym, call 217-299-0067 or email cliffr1973@gmail.com.
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