Every Tuesday, as the clock strikes four, Dexy’s Gym awakens, breathing with the pulse of our community. Woodcrest’s Chief of Police, Reign Vermillion, stands at its heart, guiding “Really, Everyone’s in the Gym Now”—a gathering that feels as much a reunion of kindred souls as it does a fitness class. True to Reign’s spirit, this space is inviting, easygoing, and, most importantly, open to everyone who dares to step in as they are.
On a recent Tuesday, the room filled with a medley of familiar faces and fresh ones, each carrying their own stories. Among them was Sasuke, a newcomer whose steps carried a tentative rhythm. But Reign, with her steady warmth and a smile that reassures, greeted him as though he were already part of the fold. She made it clear that this is no mere gym class—it’s a sanctuary of movement and connection, a place where anyone and everyone finds a home.
As Reign shared with me, this gathering began under the spark of Michelle Magnuson, a former cheerleader who envisioned an open space where all could come together to move, laugh, and strengthen as one. Reign took up that torch and let its light grow. With an upbeat rhythm in the air and laughter echoing between weights and mats, the atmosphere is anything but intimidating. Instead, it serves as a gentle reminder that fitness can be joyous, simple, and still deeply meaningful.
“Dexy’s is a relaxed space with something for everyone,” Reign shared. “Whether you’re just starting or pushing serious weight like Ruby Cabernet, there’s a place for you here.” It’s a space that nurtures growth in whatever form it takes, offering strength and resilience to all who enter, from any beginning.
And me? I traded a dumbbell for a pen, capturing the essence of this gathering for The Beaver Pride. Perhaps one day, I’ll find myself joining in—after all, a little softness suits me, but there’s always room to strengthen the spirit as well as the body.