DSM Fire Department gets new cardio fitness equipment at no charge

DES MOINES, Iowa — It’s the kind of thing you just love to hear. A story with no downsides, just ups.

”I think it comes down to what we’re all about,” said Julian Moss of Planet Fitness.

Des Moines’ Planet Fitness needed to make room for new equipment, but first wanted to find a place for the old.

“Everything’s still useful,” Moss pointed out. “Just like a car — you can repair it over and over and over again.”

They called the Des Moines Fire Department, and captain Chad Smeines came right down.

“You know with tight budgets and things like that with local governments it was a perfect combination of they had some equipment they were willing to part with and we had some that we could definitely use,” he said.

The department took nine elliptical machines. They’ll take cardio fitness to new levels and take it easy on the knees.

“We have some older members,” Smeines said, “we have people recovering from injuries and we just need to do some exercising that’s a little easier on their joints.”

The transaction will save tax dollars in Des Moines and become a write-off for Planet Fitness. Though that’s not really the point.

“Not only are we proud to serve our community,” Moss said, “we’re proud to serve those that serve the community.”

It has a ring to it, right? Taking care of those charged with taking care of us — at no charge to them.