Aug. 2, 2023

Three years ago, Nathan LeMaster was a solo-preneur with a big vision.

Today, he leads sister companies Empower U and Move U that each recently opened a new space, and he just added his ninth employee.

“Needless to say, we had a very busy (second quarter) opening up two different locations in two different areas of Sioux Falls with two sister companies that have very different demographics,” he said. “The main commonality between the two companies is high-quality health care, cash-based services and our core leadership team taking the necessary steps to be a part of the Sioux Falls community today and for years to come.”

LeMaster brings a background as a physical therapist and fitness instructor who is a board-certified sports specialist. Co-owner Tyler Anderson is a board-certified sports specialist and performance physical therapist from Kansas City.

Empower U offers one-on-one performance physical therapy that pairs dry needling with manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to help clients overcome pain and stay active. It also offers education courses focused on relieving chronic pain, working in fitness studios and within businesses.

Empower U moved earlier this summer into a new building at 7303 S. Cliff Ave. next to All American Gymnastics Academy.

“The design of the building is meant to focus on encouraging movement of any kind and having the equipment on hand to assist with any goals our clients may come to us with,” LeMaster said.

The facility includes squat racks, a rower, a skier, bikes, treadmills and free weights, as well as a conference room, community workspace and five treatment rooms.

“Our business was built on the pillar of community,” LeMaster said, adding that Empower U established partnerships with other like-minded businesses that support its growth. Those include Fit Body Boot Camp, Evolve, Frontier Climbing and Fitness, Ignite and the former Arena Fit.

“We had essentially subleased from like-minded gyms in hoping to make for a better, healthier Sioux Falls,” he said. “By having our own facility, we are able to improve the client experience and further our success in quality results for our clientele. (The building) is edgy, modern, with a touch of grit, letting you know that when you walk in, you’re about to get some work done.”

Referrals from clients have been the biggest growth driver, he added.

Move U serves an entirely different clientele. The niche is pediatrics, serving children with sensory deficit disorders by using occupational therapy. It can present as everything from picky eating to emotional regulation, fine and gross motor skills, internal safety and security or a lack of group participation.

“The success comes from the treatment due to play lead therapy, meaning the child chooses the activity he or she wants to participate in, and our skilled therapists are able to make it beneficial to the child’s needs,” LeMaster said.

Move U started last year inside All American Gymnastics and recently moved to 5020 S. Tennis Lane in the basement of the former Alpha Graphics building. The 3,200-square-foot space includes gymnastics-style flooring, 12 ceiling hooks for swings that support sensory integration and other play-based activities such as a cargo net, ball pit and trampoline.

“Move U is bright, colorful and very welcoming,” LeMaster said. “The driving force of Move U is the compassion that is brought to each session by our therapists, where families can see that there is help out there and parenting doesn’t have to be done alone.”

Move U is led by Kristin Wittmayer, “who has taken her years of knowledge and passion, and allowed us to develop something special in an underserved community here in Sioux Falls,” he added. “The business’ sole purpose is to give these kids a better chance to live life with less challenges and have someone navigate those challenges with them.”

Because Wittmayer’s schedule grew to a wait-list, Move U recently added a second occupational therapist.

“It’s been interesting for me to see their growth from when I started working with them (less than two years ago) to today,” said Kristen Zueger, commercial real estate broker with Lloyd Cos., who helped the businesses find their new spaces.

“It’s phenomenal. They’re young, but they’re entrepreneurial. They just see the need for this in Sioux Falls and have continued to look for the right employees, people that fit their culture, and they just plan everything ahead.”

Empower U will hold a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, plus a grand-opening block party from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a DJ, giveaways, a 50-50 raffle and food trucks.

Move U has a grand opening scheduled from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 with treats, activities for kids and giveaways.