Fitness gym offering unconventional training opens in New Braunfels

A new fitness gym has opened in New Braunfels by local married couple Erik Melland and Ida Odegaard. Longhorn Health and Fitness is focused on improving the quality of life for their clients through safe and intentional training.

“We are here to help people not just train to the goals you have, but my goal for you is to make sure you're doing things safe and you're getting to your goal [to be] healthier,” Melland said. "Yes, you'll have the gains ... that's all part of it. But my goal is to make sure your life prolongs.”

The fitness gym uses a TACFIT system that utilizes steel maces and Clubbell lever tools, which resemble a weighted baseball bat, to activate the muscles in the body while strength training and offering cerebral conditioning for a unique spin on training, according to Melland.

“We're the only gym that has unconventional training [in New Braunfels], specifically with steel maces and Clubbells, and you won't find that anywhere in Texas really,” he said.

Longhorn Health and Fitness offers a supportive and community-based environment that is open to all ages, from children to elderly. Melland, who has 15 years of experience coaching and training said that his goal is to focus on the health and mobility of clients, and have the people training at his business “die young as late as possible.”

“We like to say, 'we are not a gym of wear and tear, we are a gym of health care,'” Melland said.

The business also offers one-on-one training sessions for people to work toward their personal fitness goals. The gym is currently offering a free week for clients interested in the bootcamp-style classes.

“When people come in, they can expect a program ready to go for them, rather than [asking], what do I do?” Melland said.

• Opened Nov. 1
• 210 Trade Center Drive, New Braunfels
• www.longhornhealthandfitness.com