Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — It took one year for Sau Ia Bodybuilding officials, Peter Reid and Sala McMoore, to get everything squared away and ready to go. And this past Monday, the dream came to fruition when the Sau Ia team opened the doors to the territory's newest gym — Sau Ia Bodybuilding and Fitness.

The facility offers weights, treadmills, power cage, etc. and is located in Petesa. (Take a right at the dirt road next to Aveina's warehouse).

"It was hard for us to promote bodybuilding here in the territory because of the lack of a facility to train people," said McMoore yesterday during a telephone interview with Samoa News, when asked about how the idea of opening a gym came about.

Since opening for business this past Monday, McMoore said the turnout has been "pretty good" and consists of a good mixture of men and women.

She revealed that all the equipment (which came in two separate containers) was shipped to the territory — free of charge — by Matson Shipping, as part of their service to the community.

"We are just so grateful to Lanu Pen and the Matson family for their generosity," McMoore said.

Monthly membership at Sau Ia is $25 and $2 for walk-ins. Trainers are available and you don't have to worry about bringing a flask. The gym sells beverages to ensure all their patrons stay hydrated.

In addition, there are shower facilities, making it easy to head straight to school or work after an invigorating workout session. Lockers, according to McMoore, are forthcoming.

The new gym is geared towards promoting fitness and bodybuilding, as Sau Ia is a member of the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) and has been taking locals all over the world to places like China, Australia, and Samoa to compete.

McMoore and Reid started Sau Ia Bodybuilding in 2015 and since then, the local attention to physique and fitness has grown. More and more young men — and women — have expressed interest in getting cut up and showing off those abs.

The new gym is open Mondays- Saturdays from 3:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, or to inquire about further details, call 699-0005/733-2854/256-3904.

So what are you waiting for? Sau Ia!