Ahrens finds his "spot" in Hampton

By: 
Ethan Stoetzer

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    Corey Ahrens always had a dream that he would do something that would have an impact on his community.
    After he graduated from then Hampton High School in 1994, his quest to leave an impact took a turn down a winding road, that seemed to take him in another direction.
    “Everyone thought I was going to become a professional athlete,” Ahrens said.
    Having played football, baseball, wrestling and track and field, Ahrens had the athleticism for a sports career, but decided when it was time for college, that he would follow in the footsteps of his eighth grade teacher, Steve Deike, who taught history and coached wrestling.
    What began as a journey to become an educator and have an influence on children in his community, wound up becoming a cross country journey with a brief stint in the Army, only to return as an educator, of a different kind.
    Ahrens, 41, is the personal trainer for what he dubs as “The Spot,” located on Highway 3. In the private facility, there is a full gym that he uses to educate and rehabilitate both residents of Hampton, and those from neighboring towns, about proper nutrition and exercise techniques, and those who have undergone life changing experiences, respectively, such as multiple sclerosis and knee replacements.
    “It’s not a ‘business,’” Ahrens said. “It’s a nickname my colleagues and I came up with when I was asked where I’ve been spending my time.”
    As an athlete, much of Ahrens’ life was spent training for his sports, and later took the form of training for the sake of becoming a better trainer.
    “I trained for both,” Ahrens said. “I was striving for perfection and then people started coming to me because I had knowledge. That’s the fun of it; you’re always learning about different ways to do it.”
    Ahrens went to Waldorf College, Forest City, IA, for two years as a history and education major. There, he also worked at a gym, where he would train with the athletes and assist them, for fun.
    Following his first two years at college, Ahrens moved to South Dakota, where he attended Dakota Wesleyan University, continuing to work at a gym, as well as working with juvenile delinquents on the weekends. The juveniles that Ahrens worked with were convicted criminals, who he worked with as a counselor, teacher and mentor for. Ahrens said that he always liked working with kids and gladly accepted the opportunity.
    In 2001, Ahrens joined the Army, with his goal to become a ranger, and wound up becoming a trainer for soldiers. Following his discharge in 2004, Ahrens began his journey into the fitness field, running gyms in Oregon and New Mexico, as well as other western locations. He was a vice president with the Gold’s Gym Group, running every aspect of a health club.
    Earlier this year, Ahrens returned to Hampton to make good on his dream.
    “I wanted to help out and be a part of the community to change lives,” Ahrens said.
    In the private studio, Ahrens offers a free first hour if one calls him for an appointment. He specializes in nutrition and holds six national certifications, and has worked with doctors on creating rehabilitation programs for knee replacements, and has programs to help combat high blood pressure.
    “It’s simple,” Ahrens said. “You should come in here with goals. I want to bring knowledge and fitness to Hampton. I want to meet and help as many people in as many ways as I can.”
Editor's note: in the November 23 edition of the Hampton Chronicle, "Corey" is mispelled as "Cody." This version was edited to correct that error.

Hampton Chronicle

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