The Perla Building in Tamaqua already houses offices, a commercial kitchen where cooking classes are held, and a spot where people gather for programs or celebrations.
And now, the 105 W. Broad St. location has a new gym.
“People can come here for a total body workout,” said Sheila Davison, chief executive officer of C.A.R.E.S., which is headquartered at the Perla. “There is equipment for every part of the body.”
The Perla Power Fitness Center caters to all fitness levels and ages – and recently added a SilverSneakers program, something the community lost when the Tamaqua YMCA closed in 2020.
Barbara Dereskavich, who instructed the SilverSneakers program at the Y, will be teaching at the new gym.
“The reason we opened it originally is because I kept getting calls from seniors begging me to open something like this,” Davison said. “There was no gym in Tamaqua that accepted (SilverSneakers).”
SilverSneakers is designed to help older adults get active – many for the first time in their lives. Classes include strength training, aerobic workouts and flexibility exercises. More than 18 million Americans are eligible for SilverSneakers at no additional cost through Medicare Advantage, group retiree and Medicare Supplement plans.
The closest locations for SilverSneakers are in Lehighton, Frackville and Hazleton.
While it does have SilverSneakers, the gym plans to continue activities for younger individuals, too.
“We want it to be for all ages so we will be offering more classes as we grow,” Davison noted.
For example, Tabata Boot Camp classes are held regularly. So, too are yoga classes.
Davison is hoping that folks stop by to check out what the gym has to offer. The can try out the equipment with the help of staff and decide if it is right for them.
“We have really good, kind and knowledgeable staff,” she said. “We make it easy and comfortable for them because we go through every machine.”
Employee Linda Wagner showed a visitor the controls on a treadmill.
“They’re so easy to use,” she said. As she walked, her heart rate, speed and other information showed on a screen.
Wagner also showed a room filled with balls for balance, resistance bands and weights. Many enjoy the privacy the room offers, she noted.
Davison said many insurances are accepted for memberships.
“A lot of companies have health insurance that pays for it,” Davison added. “So they can come here free.”
Basketball games, soccer, pickleball and kids dance classes are also held from the Perla Building’s large gymnasium. Davison said they’re hoping to add a women’s basketball team.
“Our goal and vision when we bought this building was to make it something for the community,” Davison said, of the building, which last housed the Salvation Army. “We use the second floor for our C.A.R.E.S. corporate office. But the whole downstairs, we want it for the community and things that benefit the community.”
The Perla Building offers craft and cooking classes, which can be found online at www.perlabuilding.com.
The gym is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monthly and annual memberships are available. For more information, visit www.perlapower.com.
