Local man uses EGYM to maintain strength, balance amid MS

When rural Marshall County resident Darrin Nuese was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2016, doctors advised him to keep moving and maintain his strength.

The longtime Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA member knew just the place and kept up his exercise regimen at the Y through the past decade. He’s not ready to stop moving any time soon and 2025 has been a great year as he’s discovered the benefits of the EGYM at the Y. 

Keeping his balance and keeping out of a wheelchair is important to him.

“I’ve seen my strength and my walk improve,” the 62-year–old said “That’s the biggest gain for me.”

He’s become a big proponent of the EGYM, which utilizes state-of-the-art technology to create efficient workouts tailored to each user through a circuit of 11 strength training machines. His family also took note and followed suit along with hundreds of other Y members this year.

“I’ve got my 82-year-old mother-in-law doing EGYM and my wife is here all the time,” Darrin said. “I’ve seen their strength improve.” 

Darrin is also an inspiration to the Y staff due to his dedication and positive outlook.

“I see Darrin working out every day,” said Angie Paxson, Health and Wellness Director at the Y. “His dedication to his strength and health is an inspiration to me. I don’t think anything can get him down. He is amazing.” 

Nuese loves that he can complete the EGYM circuit on his lunch break from Emerson.
“It really only takes 30 minutes,” he said.

He sees his MS doctor every six months and Darrin reports his last visit in September went well, thanks to his hard work at the Y.“My last check up was really good,” Nuese said. “The doctor was impressed.”