NISKU, Alta. – From the outside it looks like any other farm supply store on the Prairies.
Grain bins, harrows, horse trailers and cultivators sit outside covered in snow.
But inside, instead of bolts and buckets we find … treadmills?
Frank Flaman thinks exercise equipment is as vital to a farm as a pick-up truck.
“Farmers today don’t get very much exercise. Everything is power this and power that,” said the Southey, Sask. founder of the equipment sales company.
“Everything is hydraulic here and electrical that. Farmers get very little exercise,” he said while walking on a treadmill during the interview. Flaman said he doesn’t leave the office until he has spent 20 minutes each day on the treadmill.
Read Also
Ag in Motion speaker highlights need for biosecurity on cattle operations
Ag in Motion highlights need for biosecurity on cattle farms. Government of Saskatchewan provides checklist on what you can do to make your cattle operation more biosecure.
At the back of the building, among the horse trailers and grain vacuums, are more than 700 treadmills ready for shipping.
“It’s more than just a sideline here.”
He estimated the Nisku store sold close to $1 million worth, or about 1,000 treadmills by the end of 1995. About half of the treadmills are sold to farmers. Treadmill sales account for about 10 percent of their business.
When Flaman looks at modern farmers, he questions whether there really has been progress.
“My grandfather lived to 94. He didn’t know how to drive a car. He walked everywhere.”
His father was 70 when he died of a heart attack. His brother died at 60.
Nine years ago, another brother and his wife bought two treadmills to help relieve his high blood pressure. That’s when Flaman bought his first treadmill.
Employees at the Nisku farm supply store are encouraged to take half an hour out of their day to use the machines. The staff room is complete with shower, television and stereo system to encourage the staff to exercise.
“They do better mentally when they get a good 20 minute workout.”
Flaman admits to being “somewhat health conscious.” His three sons each own a Flaman farm supply stores in Saskatchewan. While they sell some treadmills, they aren’t as aggressive about pitching the equipment.
But he figures they’ll come around. They’re still young, he said, and aren’t as concerned about health yet.
