Jan. 14, 2026
This piece is sponsored by Cherapa Place.
Beginning a new year with a focus on wellness doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
“Honestly, my biggest piece of advice is to stop overthinking it,” said Annie Mello, co-owner of SISU Fit.
“Most people delay starting because they think they need to be ‘ready’ first: fitter, leaner, more motivated. That’s backwards. You get ready by starting. Focus on showing up consistently, and put yourself in an environment where the thinking is done for you. You don’t need extreme workouts or perfect habits right away — you need structure, coaching and a plan that makes sense for real life.”
Incorporating wellness into real life is at the center of the Cherapa Place development where SISU Fit is located.
“It was central to our vision for what we wanted this community within downtown to become,” said Anne Haber, co-owner of developer Pendar Properties.
“And now, we have created a place where you can live in a sustainably built loft, walk for nearly any basic need or just to enjoy the riverfront and find a growing group of local businesses ready to help you love a healthier lifestyle.”
The newest, Pomegranate Market, takes a comprehensive approach to wellness, from its emphasis on local and organic products to a dedicated wellness section.
“Start small,” co-owner Jonah Snyder suggests. “Maybe you’re wanting to take better care of your gut health in 2026. Probiotics in our wellness department are a great place to start.”
Maybe you’re thinking of finally going gluten-free.
“We think you’ll be thrilled at how far gluten-free flours and products have come,” Snyder said. “Wherever you’re at on your wellness journey, supplementing your normal routine with fresh, healthy habits in an approachable way is the best course to long-term success. Pomegranate Market has an excellent selection of better-for-you products and a team of knowledgeable staff that can help you get there.”
Want to start the year with better sleep? Consider magnesium, he said.
“It has a ton of excellent effects on your overall health and won’t leave you feeling groggy in the morning like other sleep aids can. Liver shots have also been a popular category in our store over the last year or so,” he said.
“It’s also a great time to ditch some of the frightening chemicals with names you can’t pronounce that are all too often in body care products. We’ve got an excellent selection of natural body care products in our wellness department. Everything from toothpaste, to lotion, to shampoo and deodorant. They’re just as effective, without the worry about what ingredients are on the label.”
And, of course, there are ways to eat healthier. The Pomegranate Market salad bar is an easy way to find something fast, fresh and healthy downtown. The world bowls in the bistro are popular too — Snyder recommends starting with the chicken curry and chicken shawarma bowls.
“People also seem to be really loving the smoothies and juices at Groove Wellness Bar, our beverage station,” he said. “The Island Colada is our best-seller and will transport you straight to the beach if you’re feeling the January blues.”
Watch for new wellness and community events at Pomegranate Market downtown in the next few months.
‘Purposeful programming’
At SISU Fit, the emphasis is on “purposeful programming, individualized coaching and a culture rooted in consistency and care,” Mello said.
“What people often notice is the attention to detail: coaches who truly coach, sessions that are intentional and a space where people feel seen rather than lost in the crowd. SISU isn’t built on trends or hype — it’s built on doing the fundamentals exceptionally well.”
The fitness studio sees everyone from athletes to busy professionals and parents, including those who haven’t worked out in years.
“The advice is the same: Don’t compare yourself to anyone else in the room. Everyone is here for a reason,” Mello said. “Our job is to meet people where they are and help them move forward intelligently. SISU isn’t about fitting into a mold — it’s about building a strong foundation that supports the season of life you’re in.”
This month, SISU is running a challenge through Jan. 31 with a simple theme: consistency. Check in 15 times during the month and receive the first-ever official SISU T-shirt. Plus, take advantage of basic trial memberships for $49 or $79 per month with the option to include the InBody 570 scan.
“These options give people a real look at how we train, how we coach and what the environment feels like, without a long-term commitment,” Mello said. “We’re intentional about who joins SISU, and this gives people the chance to see if it’s the right fit.”
Refresh and recharge
Across the Cherapa Place courtyard, iv&co also is giving clients new reasons to stop in. Its offers:
Elective IV therapy
IM vitamin injections
Weight-loss GLP program
Lab and genetic testing for wellness
Neurotoxin (Botox) and ear piercing
Strategic retail products to incorporate with its services
“At Cherapa, iv&co is helping redefine what wellness looks like in Sioux Falls. Not as a trend. Not as a reaction to illness. But as an ongoing practice of recovery, maintenance and long-term vitality,” owner Jenny Haiar said.
“Iv&co was built on a simple but underserved idea: People should not have to wait until they are depleted, burned out or unwell to prioritize how they feel. Modern life demands more — mentally, physically and professionally — and our approach to wellness has to evolve with it. That evolution starts with accessibility, education and consistency.”
New for 2026, the business is offering a GLOW Peptide Stack, featuring an advanced regenerative wellness peptide protocol, plus all infusion products and services now are PVC-, latex- and preservative-free. Watch for new infusions for liver and detox coming in February.
“We offer elective, lifestyle-focused wellness services designed to support hydration, recovery, energy, immune resilience and overall well-being,” Haiar said. “These services are not positioned as medical treatment; they are tools people can use to maintain performance, support recovery and invest in longevity over time. For many of our clients, iv&co becomes part of their routine — just like exercise, nutrition or sleep.”
Being located at Cherapa Place is intentional, she said.
“This campus attracts forward-thinking businesses and individuals who value sustainability, balance and quality of life. Our presence reinforces the idea that wellness should be integrated into where people work and live — not siloed or treated as an occasional luxury. We pride ourselves as the standard of elective IV therapy, as well as having the Ritz-Carlton experience for our clients,” Haiar said.
“We’re proud to contribute to Cherapa campus’ wellness-driven ecosystem and to be part of a downtown environment that prioritizes people, performance, safety and long-term well-being.”
In the new year and beyond, her focus is on helping lead a community conversation around proactive wellness, Haiar added.
“That means normalizing recovery, reframing maintenance as smart — not indulgent — and introducing longevity as a practical lifestyle concept, not a distant or elite one. Our goal is to help set a higher standard for how this community thinks about caring for itself — today and long term.”
