The Refinery Gym and Events--- Champaign

The Refinery Gym and Events is a very unique place that offers a wide variety of things for its members. Located on 2302 West John Street in Champaign, it is thought of by many as the best gym in the area. Whether you are a member to lift weights, do cardio or take a group fitness class, or if you are just a member to participate in their weekly special events, you are sure to find what you need to suit you at the Refinery Gym and Events.

I have always been involved in working out and exercising, so I have been to many gyms I have to admit that the Refinery is very impressive in what they offer not only for your physical health, but also for your mental and emotional well being. They offer weight lifting, cardio equipment, yoga, dance and group fitness classes. They also offer daycare for the children, a full juice bar, tanning and huge fitness rooms that they use to hold parties for their members. It is really a five star place with an excellent staff

When I went and talked to one of the desk clerks named Claudia, she told me that their mission statement is “to provide and overall wellness center for our clients”. I asked her how they work to accomplish that goal and she said it’s easy, by offering friendly service, and not only giving their clients a place to spend their leisure time but helping them make it the most enjoyable. They do this by offering a great child care center so parents can work out with no worries and also by having weekly special events in their banquet rooms, such as the salsa party this week.

The Refinery offers many different employment opportunities. They offer lower level and part time jobs such as floor attendants, child day care workers, and desk clerks. Their full time positions include maintenance workers, sales staff, personal trainers, and event planners. Claudia told me that for some jobs you just need to be a good communicator and have good customer service skills. However other jobs such as the sales staff, personal trainers and event planners need to have a higher education in their field. Most of the time this means a college degree, but in some cases it is just an immense amount of experience.

The Refinery offers so many things for its members that it is hard to narrow down the most popular or current trend. However, when speaking to Claudia, she told me that the group fitness is getting really popular, even for the men. Group fitness offers a wide variety of exercising techniques for the group. One day may be an intense cycling and abs class, and then the next may be a body pump class which is a 55 minute workout that uses weight lifting exercises. The Refinery also offers a full juice bar that allows their members to get a refreshing, nutritious drink after their workout. The bar even has stools so the members can sit and socialize with each other.

The Refinery’s definition of leisure is “spending your free time doing what makes you feel good, mentally, physically, and emotionally”. Also, the main benefit the Refinery provides is a place for everyone to go and feel comfortable about working out and exercising, while also helping members meet new people by holding their weekly social events. I believe the Refinery is a great gym with a great staff and a great goal: to provide an overall wellness center, not just a gym.

Synopsis
After visiting the Refinery, I realized that it is much more than just a gym. It is also a daycare, a dance club, a bar and an overall activity center all wrapped up into one. I think the pros of a career at the Refinery are very good. You will be able to meet new people every day and help people reach their goals. Also the setting is great. Who wouldn’t want to wear sweatpants and a t-shirt to work every day? The only con of working in that agency is that there isn’t much chance for promotions. Finally I believe the Refinery fits into the leisure delivery system because it provides many opportunities for people to enjoy their free time the way they want to.