The Good Life – March-April 2015

BY: JESSICA JASPERSON | PHOTOS: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
est Fargo natives, Ty Zaczkowski and
Jacob Kinsella, noticed a need in the
Fargo-Moorhead area for a gym with
extensive equipment and a welcoming atmosphere for
bodybuilders and the like. Zaczkowski and Kinsella
filled this need with their gym, Midwest Muscle, located
in Fargo.
For one year the idea of opening a gym that welcomes
everyone stirred in Zaczkowski’s and Kinsella’s minds
after a gym frequented by bodybuilders and competitors
closed. Forced to workout at other gyms in
the area, both dreamed of the day a gym
would fit their workout needs and the
needs of others.
After deciding to open a gym,
Zaczkowski and Kinsella spent the
following year searching the Internet
for auctions and individuals interested
in selling unwanted equipment. While
still working full-time the team of two
travelled almost every two weeks during
the weekend to pick up their latest finds
for the gym.
“We have a lot of unique equipment,
and it’ll give people who take lifting
seriously an edge over everyone else,”
10
“
We have a lot of
unique equipment,
and it’ll give
people who take
lifting seriously
an edge over
everyone else,”
— Zaczkowski
Zaczkowski said. “It is really important to target certain
muscles, and you need the right equipment to do so.”
While travelling across the tri-state area to pick up
various commercial grade equipment, Zaczkowski and
Kinsella viewed an array of different gyms. They saw
firsthand gym qualities that work and do not work.
They used this advantage to create a gym that welcomes
everyone no matter what fitness level or interest.
Midwest Muscle provides four separate
spaces to work out, locker rooms, and
cubbies for those who don’t wish to use
the locker rooms. What’s unlike many
other gyms is the amount of free weights
made available for customers to use.
In addition to free weights, there is
plenty of cardio equipment and multiple
machines that help target different areas
of the body. Zaczkowski estimates the gym
holds at least 30 pieces of equipment. Lastly,
one of the spaces provides wrestling mats
and punching bags for those interested in
mixed martial arts (MMA) or kickboxing.
“I really like the idea of this area being
matted and having bags,” Kinsella said.