Necessity the mother of gym-vention for Brandon man

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This article was published 19/05/2021 (1959 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON — When Manitoba gyms and fitness centres were forced to close May 9, Ryan Pandolfi felt he needed to take immediate action.

So he created a gym of his own — in a storage container southeast of Brandon.

It may not look like much, but it means a lot to him.

Sober for more than three years, he credits daily visits to a local gym with keeping him on not only the straight and narrow, but mentally healthy.

“The world is crazy now and we need something,” Pandolfi said, adding his “something” is fitness, alongside raising his son, Logan, 2, who inspires him to remain on track.

“I want to feel good about myself and leave the gym with the release of all those endorphins I’d get when I was a hardcore drinker drinking $100 worth per week.”

Pandolfi fell on hard times earlier in the pandemic, going through a divorce, selling his house, and unable to host most community events through his business, Pandolfi Initiative.

Appearing unhealthy, at 108 pounds, Pandolfi recognized a need to make some changes.

He welcomed gym life into his life, adopted healthier living and now feels better, both physically and mentally.

This doesn’t mean to imply mental health isn’t a continued struggle, he said, as it takes constant work.

“The majority of the people who go to gyms and use gyms, especially nowadays, is about what they’re facing — with anxiety, stress, PTSD, overcoming obstacles,” said Amber White of Anytime Fitness in Brandon.

Pandolfi’s mental-health rationale for visiting the gym is in keeping with many of her clients, she said.

Pandolfi said creating a gym in a storage container was partially out of necessity, since his current residence doesn’t have enough space. The ritual of going someplace solely dedicated to working out also played a role.

The storage container has been serving its purpose thus far, but Pandolfi said it only goes so far. He misses seeing and being encouraged by other like-minded people in a gym environment.

The current round of health restrictions, including the closure of gyms and fitness centres, is expected to remain in place until May 30.

“I just pray they open back up,” Pandolfi said. “I like the shed, but it’s not where I’d like to be in June.”

— Brandon Sun