Fun, Friends, Support Keep Members of Ankeny's TGR Fitness Coming Back

Tara Porche never enjoyed working out. However, one Ankeny fitness center changed that for her.

When Porche first joined in Ankeny in August 2011, it didn’t take her long to fall in love with what she was doing and what TGR was doing for her. Ask her about it and she’ll tell you – TGR has made her stronger as a woman.

“My experience here has meant the world to me,” Porche said. “This is the first time I’ve ever enjoyed working out. I’m seeing results but here, it’s not just about results.

Enjoying this story? Make sure you come back tomorrow when we share with you a video we put together highlighting the classes and ladies at TGR Fitness.

Porche is only one of many local women who’ve found their fitness niche at TGR, which originally was The Girls Room. Many of TGR’s members made it loud and clear how much they appreciate the business owned by Amber Cahill when they helped it earn bragging rights last month as the .

TGR is a fitness center that offers more than 25 different classes designed strictly for women. Classes include pole fitness, TRX cardio and Piloxing. Cahill said classes will differ depending on the session as she usually tries to switch up which classes members can take. In addition, members can also hold private parties at the business.

The goal of TGR classes, Cahill said, is to be effective and interesting.

“The classes keep you entertained, and in order to stick with something, you have to enjoy it,” Cahill said.

Cahill, 36, grew up in Ankeny and graduated from . She moved to Chicago where she lived for about 12 years. Ultimately, she decided to return to Ankeny to raise her children.

When Cahill was in Chicago, she joined some gyms but particularly enjoyed the group classes she took to stay in shape. The classes also helped ensure she had a couple hours to herself each day following her decision to be a stay-at-home mom.

 “You realize how isolating it can be as a woman to be a stay-at-home mom,” Cahill said. “I wanted to find that balance.”

Upon Cahill’s return to Ankeny, she saw the area lacked the particular classes she enjoyed most. From this realization, TGR became reality.

“I didn’t want to just run on a treadmill,” Cahill said. “I wanted to create an atmosphere, a community for women.”

TGR opened in May 2010 at its original location on East 14^th Street. The business soon outgrew the 1,100-square-foot space and it moved to its current location at 1605 S.E. Delaware Ave. in August 2011.

In the beginning, TGR’s programs centered mostly around pole fitness, but the business’ repertoire of classes soon expanded along with its membership.

“The word spread, and I think people realized we’re not just ballerinas dancing around having fun,” Cahill said. “What we do it actually effective.”

One of the benefits of teaching fitness classes in a small, intimate atmosphere, Cahill said, is she knows every single member by name. This helps keep members accountable, she said.

“When you don’t come to class, I will follow up and see if there’s anything I can do to help,” she said. “There really is that personal connection that keeps them coming back, keeps them motivated.

Natalie Rider can vouch for that. A member at TGR since November 2011, Rider said her experience at TGR has been “amazing.”

“I’ve always liked to work out, but this place is just fantastic,” she said. “The ladies here are amazing. They’re all kind, courteous and just want to make sure you’re having fun.”

Small classes also allow Cahill to tailor routines to the comfort levels of individual members. She calls it “adaptable fitness.”

Cahill doesn’t think too hard when talking about what she loves most about her job. To her, she’d be doing this even if it wasn’t her job.

“It’s my time to hangout, to help someone else hit that milestone and to celebrate with them,” she said. “That is huge – their milestones are huge to me.”

TGR Fitness At A Glance

Address: 1605 S.E. Delaware Ave.

Phone: 515-289-2589

Email: amber@tgrfitness.com

Pricing: Memberships start at $39 per month

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