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Initial impact

by Rick Thomas
| March 15, 2010 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - A longtime fitness trainer and a former professional BMX rider and trainer joined forces, and initials, to open ZS Fitness.

Lee Zahnow and David Sheppard are the partners in the one-on-one training center in the former Coeur d'Alene Homes thrift store at 1124 Sherman Ave.

"It will be personal training for everybody," Sheppard said. "The majority will be weight loss clients, and some for weight gain."

Weight lifting equipment in the 1,200-square-foot main room is being installed, with more coming. Another room next door will add 1,300 feet for an athletic specific training room for grades 5 and up.

Sheppard has 14 years of experience in Nevada and Coeur d'Alene. Zahnow, 36, retired after 15 years of BMX riding and training other riders. He has operated Dependable Fabrication in Coeur d'Alene for about six years and for now will be the business partner while his wife, Jen, helps Sheppard with training.

Zahnow said the fitness training he got while riding and his time spent training youngsters for BMX riding in Pennsylvania and in Coeur d'Alene prepared him to eventually take part in ZS Fitness.

"We worked out very hard," as riders, he said.

The bicycle training crosses well into swimming and gymnastics, he said.

There is no membership required, Sheppard said. All training will be performed on an hourly rate basis of $75, with discounts for extended hours. Each session will run from 15 minutes to an hour.

"It will range from high-intensity training to sports-specific, depending on their goal," Sheppard said. "You will love me for the rest of your life and hate me for 30 minutes."

Nutrition is a big part of the program, but not in the form of supplements or calorie counting.

"We teach people how to eat properly," he said. "I don't like calorie counting. It's tough for people to remember."

Sheppard, 34, has been doing training since graduating from high school, and coaches Coeur d'Alene junior tackle football and will get certified as a track and field trainer this year. While weights are a big part of the program, he said Olympic lifting is not the focus.

The sports training will rely on plyometrics, or jump training.

"It prepares the ligaments and tendons to prevent injury," Sheppard said. "It is good for kids, to keep them from doing an awkward movement, and breaking a leg."

The main workout room is up and running, with a few more pieces of equipment expected this week. The sports training room will be equipped with plyoboxes, free weights and other equipment and ready to begin operation in about two weeks.

Marathon runners and triathletes will receive more aggressive training.

"There will always be some form of weight training," Sheppard said.

Hours at ZS Fitness are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and evenings by appointment. Sheppard also expects to open Saturday hours when kids start preparing for summer sports.

Information: 818-9891