Fourteen-year-old Champlin McCahill lost his father, Grand Rapids Catholic Central coach Ray McCahill, to colon cancer three years ago. Now Champlin's determination to beat his own brain cancer has inspired his family's fitness company to team up with
Matrix Fitness and the
Lance Armstrong Foundation's
LIVESTRONG in the fight against cancer.
Grand Rapids-based
McCahill Group, a corporate wellness company owned by Champlin's mother, Peaches McCahill, manages the Bridgewater Fitness Center at Bridgewater Place (333 Bridge St. NW). The recent renovation of the 4,100-square-foot facility features the addition of state-of-the-art LIVESTRONG fitness equipment created by Matrix Fitness. Bridgewater is the first facility in Michigan to feature the new equipment, says the McCahill Group's Katelin McCahill in a recent email.
The fitness center now offers members an opportunity to work out on LIVESTRONG equipment including three treadmills, two elliptical machines and two stationary bikes, plus several strength-training pieces. The facility overlooks the Grand River and features a one-on-one personal training studio.
"Our company is founded on health and wellness and we understand the implications of being healthy," says Andy Bix, director of health and wellness. "We want to create awareness on how to take care of yourself and to help prevent cancer in any way you can."
Matrix Fitness will donate a minimum of $4 million to LIVESTRONG over the next three years, based on sales of the equipment, says Bix. The McCahill Group's purchase helps ensure that funding.
Bridgewater Fitness Facility is open to the public. Monthly memberships are $35 for building tenants, $45 for non-tenants, plus a $50 signup fee. Members receive free parking in the Bridgewater Place parking ramp and 24-hour access to the fitness center.
"This is a good location for a lot of the downtown residents and not far from downtown for downtown workers," Bix says. "And we offer a smaller facility with easy access."
Source: Andy Bix, Katelin McCahill, The McCahill Group
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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