What is now WOW! Fitness originally opened in 1970 as the “Frank Christie Health Spa.” Frank’s entire club comprised of the current group exercise room, spa, and women’s locker room. His health spa had exercise weight equipment, the whirlpool and sauna.

In the mid-1970s, Randy Huber purchased the health spa from Frank Christie, changing the name to “Randy’s Form and Fitness.” Randy operated his fitness center until August 1979.

In 1979 Bart Dafoe purchased the facility and renamed it the “Corvallis Fitness Center.” In 1981 Rick Bennett was hired as General Manager and they started the first expansion to the facility by adding both space and equipment. In the summer of 1985, Corvallis Fitness Center accomplished its largest remodeling project to date. This included the acquisition and renovation of what is now the free weight room, main floor cardiovascular area and the current child care.

In May 1991, Rick Bennett (former CFC General Manager) and his wife Danielle purchased 100% of the club from Bart Dafoe. Rick and his committed staff team were again able to improve on the facilities. In the summer of 1991 the cardiovascular area was expanded with the latest exercise equipment. That fall the Men’s Locker Room and the Group Exercise room expansion occurred.

In 1994, after a summer of hard work and perseverance, Rick’s vision of the latest addition upstairs came to fruition and opened in the fall of 1994. This added space, allowed the club to add its vast selection of cardiovascular, weight equipment, and massage therapy. Corvallis Fitness Center (CFC) remained the name of this facility until November 2005 when it was reinvented to create a renewed excitement. Giving the three clubs the new name WOW! Fitness gave them a stronger link.

In January of 1996, Santiam Fitness Center in Lebanon opened its doors with a 5000 sq. ft. facility. Our third club opened in the Plaza Nine ninth street shopping center as a coed club in November 1999. Soon after it became the Women’s Fitness & Weight Loss Center. WFC later expanded into a 4800 sq. ft. building and relocated to its current Kings Blvd. location. The Santiam Fitness Center is now called WOW! Fitness and the Women’s Fitness Center is now called WOW! Fitness For Women.

During the last 25 years of commitment to our communities we have provided thousands of dollars of new and innovative programs to keep our members dedicated to fitness. What does the future hold? WOW! Fitness will continue to strive for better ways to serve its members by updating facilities, equipment, and adding programs and services. Because of its committed staff and loyal members, many great years of service and use lie ahead.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!