Grand opening Saturday for Gym Dad Ironworks

DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Saturday, June 9 the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce will host a grand opening celebration for one of the county’s newest businesses Gym Dad Ironworks, owned and operated by Anthony Levensalor and his father Thomas. Over the course of several months, the two completely gutted and restructured the front space of the Save-A-Lot building which once was home to the Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union.

Anthony Levensalor, who was born in Dover-Foxcroft 40 years ago, has been a type 1 diabetic for almost 30 years and was significantly underweight. In 2015, he had what doctors called a ‘massive cardiac event’ due to a right ventricle, 100 percent blocked. He had only recently started heavy lifting but was urged by the doctors to stop because of the near-death event. He felt doctors were telling him to ‘‘lie down and wait to die.’”

He explains, “It was then I decided I would not listen to what people told me I could do, what I couldn’t do, what I should do, and what I shouldn’t do. I left the hospital and did whatever I wanted, and I’ll do that until I’m dead. Two weeks later I was back in the gym, with a very concerned trainer watching me to make sure I didn’t pass out.”

Two years later, Levensalor was still training hard, and had actually begun competing in powerlifting competitions, mostly to prove he could. He says “on the two-year anniversary of my heart attack, I placed third in the Mass/Rhode Island state championships.”

Levensalor’s journey and transformation revolutionized his life. He quit smoking and put on healthy muscle weight, and has been off heart medication for nearly two years now. “This freedom and power I feel — I really want to help others find it, and I feel the best way to do that is to open a gym”, he said, “and I wanted to do it here, in my hometown,”

Gym Dad Ironworks invites serious bodybuilders, lifters and any individual who wants to take their training to the next level to stop in and check out the gym, which will offer the type of equipment and training that redefined Levnsalor’s life.

“My goal wasn’t to bring competition to the PRYMCA, I truly believe our gym will draw a very different type of customer”, he continues, “we won’t depend on cardio, treadmills and stationary bikes, we are focused on the type of results for our clients that only come from diet and weight training; at whatever intensity they like.” This is what sets the gym apart.

When listening to Levensalor talk about helping people get healthy and strong, it is obvious this has become a life-calling for him; one he takes seriously, “We want to help people get where they want to be. No one will ever be shamed or judged here. Three years ago, I was a scrawny weakling. Everyone’s journey starts somewhere.”

He is quick to give credit where credit is due when asked about how he was able to make this dream a reality, “My parents and my son Dylan have been immensely supportive and helpful in starting GDI and getting her going. Money, time, equipment and good old elbow grease have turned a former credit union inside the old Hathaway Shirt Factory into a real gym. It is amazing, and I love them dearly.”

Levensalor is also very thankful for the help he received from Ted Arcidi, who gave him great deals on equipment and weights over the last several months.

Thomas Levensalor is equally as excited as his son to see this come to pass. He began heavy lifting in 1979, working for the Manchester Fire Department and competing in bodybuilding competitions. At 60 Levensalor also experienced a cardiac event, which made it necessary for him to receive two stents in his heart. At that time, the doctors told him it was solely his strong physical condition from years of lifting which saved his life.

This opportunity allows him to do something he loves and fulfils a passion of his own. Levensalor explains, “I have dreamed of owning a gym my entire life. My son and I bring different, but essential skills to the business, and we complement one another well. This collaboration, and the fact that we share the same dream and we are motivated by the same outcomes, it what made this a reality.”

Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Denise Buzzelli had an opportunity to meet with the Anthony and Thomas, Levensalor take a tour of the gym, and shoot some photos. “It is so amazing to see a father and son who have come up through such similar experiences – life threatening situations that could have caused them to give up, but instead, they went deep, found a purpose and strength which ultimately led them to this place where I believe they will help others do the same”, she continues, “I can’t wait to see where they go from here.”

Chamber members and the general public are invited to the Gym Dad Ironworks grand opening and ribbon cutting from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 9. Light refreshments and snacks will be served, there will be door prizes for those who attend and membership discounts for the first 300 new members to sign up.

For more information regarding the event, please call Buzzelli at 564-7533. For membership information, please call Anthony or Thomas Levensalor at Gym Dad Ironworks at 802-8214.

Photo courtesy of Pisctaquis Chamber of Commerce
GYM DAD IRONWORKS — A grand opening and Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Gym Dad Ironworks on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 9. From left are Anthony Levensalor, Ted Arcidi and Thomas Levensalor.