New fitness club to pick up where Welcyon leaves off

By Rosemary McCoy

Welcyon fitness club is closing, but its manager is buying the equipment and other assets, and opening a new center in another location.

Jesse and Cori Reisch opened the franchise location of Welcyon, Fitness After 50 almost five years ago at Park Ridge Galleria at 26th Street and Western Avenue. Their last day in business will be July 22.

On Aug. 1, Teri Thompson Katzenberger will open The Master’s Club – Fitness & Lifestyle Wellness at 41st Street and Elmwood Avenue, across from the Western Mall. She’s planning to lease the building that formerly housed Khorasan Kabob House and Green Eggs & RAM.

Katzenberger has been managing Welcyon on a part-time basis for three years and has been doing nutrition and weight-management consulting since 2005. Before that, she owned the women’s fitness center She’s Shapin’ Up for seven years.

Helping people achieve better health has always been her “passion and heart’s desire,” Katzenberger said.

The Master’s Club will open Aug. 1 at 2412 W. 41st St.

Her new business will focus on helping people 40 and older “live well now.” That’s the name of a structured program she has created to help people live a better life from the inside out. She teaches people how to reach their nutrition and weight-management goals with foods they can buy at a grocery store and shows them exercises that are tailored to the individual’s abilities that will help them remain strong and active as they age.

“I pride myself on the personal care that I give to people,” Katzenberger said.

The exercises focus on posture, balance, strength, endurance and vitality, important pieces to watch as the years add on.

“We age each year, but we don’t have to grow old in the process.”

Katzenberger’s new fitness center will continue in the tradition of Welcyon by providing a place that’s not intimidating for men and women to exercise.

“I want them to feel welcomed and comfortable,” she said.

In addition to personal coaching, members get the benefit of easy-to-use equipment. Each piece of the cardio and strength-training equipment is computerized. Exercisers put a magnetic card that holds their information into a machine, and the equipment automatically adjusts to the person and starts a tailored workout.

The Master’s Club will charge $49 a month with a 12-month agreement and no signup fee.

On weekdays, it will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. If Katzenberger or an employee isn’t there, members can get in with a keyless entry system. Weekend hours will be 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, with keyless entry available from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Welcyon is reimbursing clients who had prepaid on annual memberships and offering a prorated fee for July.

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New fitness club to pick up where Welcyon leaves off

Welcyon fitness club is closing, but its manager is buying the equipment and other assets, and opening a new center in another location.

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