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October 3, 2008

Exercise at all hours

Not enough time for exercise? Try 24 hours.

A national health club chain, Anytime Fitness, is planning a November or December opening at the Kroger Square at Bonsack in Roanoke County. I’ve reported about this fitness club’s local arrival, but I recently found out some more details about it.

Dwight Ward, the former manager at Gold’s Gym in Southwest Roanoke County, is the franchise owner of Anytime Fitness.

Ward, who has a private personal training business, said he wanted to run a smaller health club with a philosophy that is different from mega fitness centers.
“I wanted something a little bit smaller, a little less intimidating,” he said.

Anytime Fitness, set for a 4,200 square foot space, is an adult-only club. It houses cardio equipment, free weights and weight machines. The Bonsack gym also will have a tanning salon.

And its doors never close, at least to members. Members receive a key to the facility, and there is video surveillance at all hours, Ward said. Also, the club offers panic buttons for members to wear. The press of a button rings the local police department.

Pre-sales for memberships already have begun. Click here for more information about the Bonsack health club. I'll let you know when a specific opening date is announced.

Comments

# 1

[October 6, 2008 11:47 AM]

John Schëar

I am delighted to see another health facility opening and especially delighted that it is a private business as opposed to a government owned one. Are we becoming so engulfed with excercise places that the new-to-be Roanoke County Multigenerational thing of a gig will be a waste of taxpayers dollars?

If permissible I'd appreciate sharing a few other items with you. On your September 17 blog you addressed "customer service" and then near the end you chastised those citizens who dared to expect customer service. We were told to be respectful, stay off our phone and pick up after ourselves. Now that is going to be the key to our receiving better customer service. The typical customer service employee is permitted to carry on personal calls, personal conversations among other employees and almost any other activity that does NOT include taking care of customers. When that happens it is time to complain and if that does not work: go elsewhere. Look at the number of closed businesses and you might want to ask if they would still be in business if they took care of the business of providing service.

May I ask a question which may end up being quite stupid? In your September 12 blog you told us that the number of restaurants per capita in the Roanoke area is 345:1 and San Francisco's ratio is about 100 less than here. I seem to recall learning that the number 345:1 would suggest that you are saying 345 restaurant to 1 person and not 1 person for 345 restaurants. Do you know which ratio is accurate?

Thanks for the read and help, John

# 2

[October 7, 2008 4:38 PM]

Rich

Anytime Fitness runs a great model. I've got a friend who owns on in my hometown, and it does great. I'm pleased to see one open here. I enjoy working out at my friend's when I visit.

They are well equipped for all levels and they DON'T kick you out if you grunt like that other place.

Even if it only offers weight and cardio training, I imagine this place will give the BAC a run for its money ...especially if they hire competent staff. The BAC recently spent thousands on new TVs- all the while most barbells are warped, headphone jacks on treadmills need replacing, machines need maintenance and the staff is more interested in talking or texting than they are making sure the guests have an enjoyable experience.

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