A Toast To 10 Years: Mokena Fitness Studio, New Lenox Brewery Collaborate On Anniversary Beer

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox woman and Mokena business owner is toasting to 10 years of success, with a beer collaboration at a New Lenox brewery.

Amy Nielsen, co-founder of SPENGA in Mokena, teamed up with Mike Bacon of Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company in New Lenox, to create "WERKout Wheat," a nod to her fitness studio that offers a unique 60-minute workout format combining spin, strength training, and yoga.

Bacon and Nielsen debuted the lemon wheat shandy at a release July 10. It's available on tap at the brewery, (2101 Calistoga Dr.), until sellout, and in can four packs.

Nielsen said she hopes the beer inspires chatter about the gym, and also gives its members a chance to celebrate the place that has impacted them.

"I thought it’d be super-cool to not only have people drinking our beer, not only there, but take some home, sit on their patio," Nielsen said. "It’s a chance for them to talk about SPENGA, and share their journey with someone else."

SPENGA originated more than a decade ago, when Nielsen and the gym's other co-founders realized that no other fitness center was putting an equal focus on cardio, strength, and flexibility. The workout combines 20 minutes of Spin, 20 minutes of strength training, and 20 minutes of yoga.

"SPENGA has helped hundreds of clients reach their goals, mentally and physically," Nielsen said.

"From a mental standpoint, it lets people escape and really have a focus on their health and fitness."

SPENGA uses a variety of different tracking programs to measure physical progress, Nielsen said. Other progress is felt throughout their bodies.

"With yoga, it allows people to move better," Nielsen said. "Aches and pains go away. A lot of progressions are able to be tracked in data—they get to see it and feel it."

Nielsen and her partners have over 18 years of fitness experience, specifically running a different bigger box gym.

The Mokena SPENGA gym, 19626 LaGrange Rd., is the brand's flagship location, with it now expanded and franchised nationwide.

"We’ve been in the fitness industry for a long time," she said. "It’s crazy to think, we started in Mokena, and now here we are."

Bacon and Nielsen started brainstorming for the beer based on what Nielsen likes to drink. They landed on something crisp and light as a start.

"It's lighter, but refreshing," Nielsen said. "It has a super crisp finish to it."

It was the latest collaboration for Bacon, who is eager to support other local businesses.

"It was great to team up with Amy and SPENGA for a collaboration," he said. "I really enjoyed getting to know their business, and we had fun brewing and packaging WERKout Wheat! We still have plenty of four packs and draft available for purchase at the brewery, and I hope we can team up with SPENGA again in the future!"