The Iron Attic has a long and rich tradition in Berne, Indiana. It began as a garage gym in 1979 and has always been a friendly space to exercise and lift weights. The gym was recently revitalized, moved to its new location, where it reopened as a 24-hour fitness facility. New equipment and security cards have been added for convenience but the long standing history in the community of an old school style gym and friendly atmosphere is unchanged.

The gym was started in just half of a 2 car garage in 1979.  Two years later, it expanded to the top floor of a barn behind the IGA Food Market along Highway 27.

According to John Gifford, one of the original caretakers, some of the weights in the gym were simply concrete blocks.  In the beginning, there were 3 simple rules:

1) Don’t Steal

2) Close the doors when done

3) Turn off the lights

Throughout the long history of the gym there have been no serious injuries or stolen equipment; just muscles built and bodies refined! Things have changed a little over the years at Iron Attic Fitness but the unique history of the gym is one of the aspects that make it so special.

In 2011, Troy Baumer took over the Iron Attic and started envisioning a new purpose for gym. Together with his wife Julie, they wanted to provide the community with another fitness option that would have more flexible hours for members. They opened the th 24-hour fitness option to the community in 2016.

In 2022 they passed on the legacy to Wiehann Crous who will run the gym with a similar vision and a dream to continue growing the gym.