PF Michigan Group franchisees Bryan and Laura Rief renovated a gym for the Detroit’s 11th Precinct Police Department, which was unveiled during National Police Week May 16 at the precinct’s Health & Fitness Expo.
After the loss of two colleagues in his precinct, neighborhood police officer Danyell Robinson Sr. was moved to reach out to the Riefs to see if they would be interested in helping the precinct update their current fitness room. Moved by his passion to educate his fellow officers on the importance of fitness and a healthy lifestyle, the Reifs obliged and agreed to not only update the equipment but to completely renovate the room.
“When we first saw the room they were using with torn-up benches, random weights and make-shift exercise equipment, we knew right away that we could give the space an overhaul,” said Laura Rief. “These men and women who serve us so well definitely deserved a better facility.”
Renovations of the space included all new flooring, a fresh coat of paint, mirrors and new lighting. The room was then outfitted with new Life Fitness cardio and strength equipment, along with new free weights, stretching mats, a cleaning station and a wall-mounted TV.
“We wanted to give the 11th Precinct a space that they would not only be proud of, but one that they could actually use with as wide a variety of exercise equipment that we could fit in the space,” added Laura.
During the expo, Renee Gray, the certified trainer from Planet Fitness® in Southfield, offered fitness tips and even ran through an exercise demonstration with a group of officers.
“Our police are under a lot of stress and work difficult schedules,” said Gray. “We know that getting exercise can help to reduce stress and heart disease. These men and women have enough things to worry about, and their health shouldn’t be one of them.”