Grand Marais Barbell opens new location in business park

After six years of hosting strength training classes in her garage and relatively smaller spaces, on Monday, March 24, Carmen Skildum celebrated opening her new gym, Grand Marais Barbell, in the Cedar Grove Business Park.

The planning and design process for the new building began in 2021 after discovering her business and client base were growing.

“It just kept growing, and more and more people got interested,” Skildum said. “And eventually, I outgrew the second space that we had.”

After purchasing a lot in the business park, the construction phase began.

Skildum said, “Building a brand new building is not something I ever would have thought about doing. But my husband is a builder, so that made it a lot more possible.”

Grand Marais Barbell | Photo by Grand Marais Barbell

During the week of March 24, Skildum invited clients and the public into the gym to view the space and equipment and sign up for a membership.

She said the feedback she has received so far has been positive, with numerous clients and community members showing up to see the space.

“I got really excited every time somebody came in to see it, and people’s reactions have been really fun,” Skildum said.

Over the next few months, she said she’s looking forward to seeing how the gym changes and evolves. She said a handful of projects are yet to be completed, including adding mirrors.

The new gym space includes four squat racks, bumper plates, cable machines, leg machines, dumbells, treadmills, elliptical rowers, and more.

Cardio Equipment Upstairs | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Weight Training Equipment | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

While the gym has a variety of weight training and cardio equipment, Skildum said she wanted to start with “more of an open, clean slate rather than just cramming in as much equipment as I possibly could.”

As she receives feedback and input from her clients about the desire for specific equipment, she said she plans to add more.

The gym also offers showers, storage cubbies, and 24-hour access via a membership code.

Skildum said individuals can sign up for a membership online at Grand Marais Barbell. Members will receive a door code for 24-hour access via email once they have signed an online waiver and paid the membership fee.

Skildum will continue hosting strength training classes that are available for individuals of all ages and skill levels.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Carmen Skildum, the owner of Grand Marais Barbell, about the opening of a new gym in the Cedar Grove Business Park. The audio from the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins March 31, 2025