5K sponsor :
The Gravette Gym
By Steve Wilcox Special to Gravette Day Magazine
Your dream home starts here
14100 AR-279 | Hiwasse , AR 72739 479-787-1087 www . cowdreycountertops . com
Les and Natanya Riddle , owners of The Gravette Gym , see the gym and the 5K sponsorship as a way to give back to their community and bring increased health and pride to their fellow citizens .
Natanya said that sponsoring the 5K fits in with the gym ’ s motto of ‘ Strengthening Our Community ’ as a whole – mental health , physical health and activities that bring everyone together .
Les was a member of the original gym in Gravette , previously located downtown on Main Street . When the original owners decided to close down , Riddle wanted to keep a gym in town , so he rented the facility for a few months and then that became a few years . At some point , wife Natanya advised that if they were really committed to being gym owners they needed something that was nicer and bigger , and the search began .
In 2021 , the couple purchased a property that included two large steel buildings on the west side of town that made for an expansive gym . In 2023 , they opened the second building on the property that includes batting cages and houses the Gravette home of Blue Line Martial Arts .
“ We don ’ t get any sleep ,” said Natanya . “ We ’ re busy . I ’ m a court reporter , that ’ s my actual
job ,” she said . “ This is more of a community service project .” Les is the driver of the gym project . He works out in the facility every morning . In his actual job ( s ) he ’ s a heavy equipment mechanic and a part-time sheriff ’ s deputy . The couple lives on a cattle farm in Gravette and they have two boys at home .
“ We ’ re burning the candle at both ends ,” Les said .
While most customers of The Gravette Gym are local residents , people from Oklahoma and Missouri make the trek to use the gym , as well . Also , Silver Sneakers , a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan that some health insurers offer that includes a free fitness membership for adults 65 or older , is now part of the offering at the gym .
“ So people who have that benefit have essentially a free membership ,” said Les . “ We don ’ t make any money from that Silver Sneakers program , but we ’ re happy to offer it for our seniors .”
As for the rest of the customer base , Natanya Riddle puts it this way : “ We ’ re a family-
Gravette Day 8 SATURDAY , AUGUST 10 , 2024