DSM Fire Department receives new cardio fitness equipment free of charge

DES MOINES, Iowa — It’s something you’re happy to hear. A story without negatives, only positives.

“I think it comes down to what it’s all about,” says Julian Moss of Planet Fitness.

Des Moines’ Planet Fitness needed to make room for new equipment, but first wanted to find a place for the old one.

“Everything is still usable,” Moss noted. “Just like a car: you can fix it again and again.”

They called the Des Moines Fire Department and Captain Chad Smeines came right down.

“You know, with tight budgets and things like that in local government, it was a perfect combination: they had some equipment that they wanted to part with and we had some that we could definitely use,” he said.

The department took nine elliptical machines with them. They take cardio fitness to a new level and take it easy on the knees.

“We have some older members,” Smeines said, “we have people recovering from injuries and we just need to do some exercises that are a little less stressful on their joints.”

The transaction will save Des Moines taxpayers money and become a write-off for Planet Fitness. Although that’s not really the point.

“Not only are we proud to serve our community,” Moss said, “we are also proud to serve those who serve the community.”

There’s something to it, right? Caring for those who have to care for us – at no cost to them.