For many people deciding what to do for eight hours a day is a difficult proposition. But when Glenn Derwin asked himself that question two decades ago, the answer was simple: run a gym.

Glenn has spent hours in gyms training to compete in track-and-field events, weightlifting and body building. In 1982, he opened Alpine Fitness in North Bend. He celebrated 20 years in business last month.

“Twenty years ago,” Glenn said, “gyms were kind of an oddity, then they became fashionable.”

Glenn’s partner, in business and in life, is Karen Derwin. Karen teaches aerobics and helps run the gym.

“I’m basically the morning show and Glenn’s the evening show,” she said.

“Yeah, we’re the ol’ mom-and-pop gym,” Glenn joked.

When they met, Karen was working for Pacific Nautilus Gyms. Friends set them up on a blind date, explained Karen, and the rest is history.

“Since Glenn owned a gym and I managed gyms, they were setting up Mr. and Mrs. Fitness,” Karen remembered.

Although Karen and Glenn are serious body builders, the membership of their gym is diverse. Young and old, first-timers and old-timers can be found at the gym on any given day. Karen says most of the members, despite their age or skill level, are there to get in shape.

“They’re in that constant battle of trying to get a workout in, and go on with the rest of their lives,” she said. “If you come and do a little, it’s better than not coming at all.”

Glenn said just getting yourself to the gym is the first step.

“You’ll reach a point when you think, ‘actually, I don’t feel that bad,'” Glenn said.

Because weightlifting equipment can be intimidating, Glenn and Karen provide picture workout cards to help members follow their routines.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record