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S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Planet Fitness has donated about 20 pieces of fitness equipment to Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, including rowing machines, benches, and three full racks of dumbbells
Sioux Falls Fire Rescue firefighters are required to spend one hour each day focused on fitness. Division Chief Luke Smidt said cardiac health is a primary concern for the department
“But being that cardiac issues are by far the biggest threat to firefighters, we actually are required to do an hour of fitness every single day; that’s in our policy, and that’s something we take very seriously,” Smidt said
Planet Fitness Sioux Falls Club Manager Ryan Sparrow said the donation was a way to support the people who serve the community
“Since the fire department is one of our biggest first responders in Sioux Falls, they do a great job keeping everyone safe and things like that; we want to make sure we’re promoting their fitness journeys as well,” Sparrow said
Firefighters said maintaining physical health helps manage the mental and physical demands that come with the job. Smidt noted that heat and humidity can increase health risks on the job
“When you get days like today where it’s hot and it’s humid, you get those high-stress environments; it just escalates the risks of any cardiac issues,” Smidt said
Sparrow said the donation was also an expression of gratitude toward first responders
“We really appreciate our first responders. They do an awesome job of keeping the communities protected and safe, and we just wanted to give back to them,” Sparrow said
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