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Community Corner

The Sweatshop Suit

Dear Buffalo Grove Residents:

On January 27, 2014, for the second time, over 2300 residents of the local area voted The Sweatshop as the best workout in Buffalo Grove according to The Patch.  Not only is The Sweatshop a growing thriving business, it is also expanding its space in the same commercial property it has called home for the last few years.

So what does The Sweatshop really do for our community? First, Matt Kuhlman and his staff of crazy, fun loving, hard working trainers provide a safe, and challenging environment to improve our overall health and physical well-being.  With the growth of his business and finding a need with his members, Lanie Kuhlman joined Matt in his quest to improve our health by adding Total Wellness. Total Wellness helps members learn how to eat and shop with health in mind. They support the community by taking Sweatshop members to local stores where they spend time teaching them how to purchase healthy products and read labels. Additionally, they will come to your home and help members organize their kitchen to maximize weight loss (or health) success. Finally, Matt Kuhlman and The Sweatshop members give back to the community by competing in local fundraisers and hosting a variety of drives (food, shoe, money) to support our community. Matt Kuhlman creates fun physical competitions that not only challenge the members but he also adds an element that supports a cause or community member in need.

Find out what's happening in Buffalo Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While The Sweatshop creates these wonderful challenges, they also utilize their outdoor space. Located in a commercial area, Matt creates challenges outside. Members often run up and down the berm in the back of the building but in between running they lift weights, do push ups, toss medicine balls, or complete any variety of torturous activity the trainers can think of. Members also run around the complex to warm-up or down. This sounds great, right? Here is the PROBLEM! The Village of Buffalo Grove is dragging The Sweatshop in court and has prohibited the use of the outdoor areas. I for one find this appalling! This is a licensed and insured company, which promotes the health of community members, partners with local businesses in the community for challenges, and supports local causes. The Village of Buffalo Grove should support and welcome a business that provides so much to its community and not hinder its success!

What can local community members do to support Matt Kuhlman and The Sweatshop? The first step is getting this silly case thrown out of court. The second is public awareness to an ordinance that needs to be amended. Last, is actually taking the time to know what is going on in our community and having a voice to implement the change we seek. However, dealing with any bureaucracy takes time and resources- both which I don’t think should be wasted by Matt or our tax dollar.

Find out what's happening in Buffalo Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

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