Perfect fit: Highly regarded trainer's vision for fitness center now a reality in Peoria

Perfect fit: Highly regarded trainer’s vision for fitness center now a reality in Peoria

Posted by author February 12, 2025 Fitness

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PEORIA — Ishmael Hicks’ dream has taken shape from the drawing board in his head to the 65,000 square-foot space that now occupies all of what used to be Landmark Fitness & Health Center.

U Fitness officially opened on Thursday, the culmination of a renovation of the facilities and Hicks taking over at the helm. Hicks took over the entire Landmark Health & Fitness Center space, put it through a three-month renovation, and opened it up as a private business he calls U Fitness.

“The ribbon-cutting was exactly what our business model is — fitness for everyone,” Hicks said Tuesday. “We had 100-plus people there, a mixture of youth athletes to middle-aged adults to elderly.

“And to have my mother, my wife and my kids by my side, opening a business in the heart of Peoria, it couldn’t be more perfect, more meant to be.”

What is U Fitness?

U Fitness is designed to be a destination for fitness and recovery. It offers group fitness classes, personal training, strength and conditioning training. There is workout space in a renovated weight room, a women’s only room, a fitness floor and a steam room or sauna.

Hicks said U Fitness on Tuesday completed construction of a Rapid Reboot room with dynamic air compression, massage therapy that assist improved circulation and faster workout recovery. It will be open for members as a free trial through the end of February.

Basic gym membership rates are $35 per month. Premium membership us $65 per month and includes access to classes. Platinum membership is $80 per month and includes gym access, classes and tanning.

“After the (grand opening) event, my manager pointed out to me she was amazed to see people that have worked out at Landmark from Day 1 when it was built, come back and join the crowd supporting U Fitness. They were right along with athletes that only know of the fitness center through their training at our Underground facility.”

What’s next for U Fitness?

Hicks, 41, was a two-sport athlete at Manual and earned a track scholarship to Spoon River College. He started training his daughter, Seven, now a sprinter at Nebraska, and added more kids to train in a group he named One Motion. It’s now a not-for-profit running organization with more than 100 kids from central Illinois in it.

The renovations — and Hicks said more are coming — include a new turf zone with sleds and kettle bells on 1,200 square feet of blue turf as a centerpiece in the main workout area. Hicks was also excited to see patrons posting pictures and videos on social media of the facility and their workouts.

“That’s the atmosphere I want to create,” he said. “I want people to be proud and happy and show off where they are.”

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.