Brothers take over Colusa fitness center

Paul Seaver has been lifting weights at the corner of Market and Fifth streets in Colusa since he was a young teenager.

It was there where he trained and powered his way to a world and state bench press marks when he was just 15.

Seaver, 27, is most proud of the state record, which was 365 pounds for a 165-pound lifter.

Now, he and his brother, Colt, 29, are the owners of the fitness center — the third management change in the life of the gym.

"It happened pretty quickly. I heard Hal (Tacker) was going to retire and just do his painting career, and I was afraid this place was going to go away," Seaver said.

"I've been coming here since Phil (Gomez) was the owner ... and I worked for Hal off an on."

Gomez was the owner of what was then Hands & Steel. Tacker renamed it the Colusa Fitness Center.

Seaver said he bought the equipment from Tacker, but the business is technically new. He has named the center The Body Shop.

Seaver said the first task is just giving the place a good cleaning.

He plans to open up the main space by knocking out one wall, and converting what had been a storage area into a space for workout classes such as the spin class already offered at the center.

Despite his own history of power-style lifting, he said the center will maintain its current uses to meet the needs of a variety of fitness clients.

"We are going to get some new equipment and offer some new classes," Seaver said.

He also has modernized the business side of the center, updating the computer system to track memberships and other needs, and moving the check-in area to the front of the building.

Seaver also plans to offer a wider variety of health products.

"It is something I have always had a passion for," said Seaver, who is a firefighter in Williams. "I think we can make it work."

Seaver graduated from Colusa High School in 2003. His brother is a 2001 Maxwell High School graduate. The brothers grew up in Colusa, part of a four-generation family in the area.

He has worked with a Yuba City company to develop a business plan with goals for the next year and then benchmarks down the road.

Seaver said it has helped understand the business side a little better, but he still intends to use an outside firm to do his payroll and other financial needs.

He is honoring the current membership contracts, but does expect to raise the fees with the new year. He is not sure what that increase will be, but he does not anticipate it will be significant.

"I don't think we will make a lot of money, but I think we can be self-sufficient," Seaver said.

The Seavers officially took over on Nov. 1.