Fitness Center Make-Over Aimed at Keeping (Business) Flexible

Few businesses are evolving as quickly as the nearest fitness or health club—a few years ago, big gyms with loads of special equipment were all the rage; now, it's exercise classes.

Through it all, the —the township's longest serving fitness and exercise business—has kept up with the changes.

And with a new management team in place after a transition completed at the beginning of the year, the club is looking to add even more programs.

"You have to create a product people want to talk about, then get them talking about it," new owner Greg Wilke said. Wilke took over management in January, but long-time owner Tom Bonnane is still on-site, helping with the transition.

To do that, the club's undergone a major facelift, with new lounge areas—with WiFi and refreshments—added and improved.

"We're trying to make it so mom can bring Jack in to karate, and Jill to dance...and maybe grab a cup of coffee with her friends...or better yet—get in a quick workout," Wilke said.

The 25,000-square foot club, built in 1979, is one of the few places that might be possible, since it's also home to the award-winning Premier Dance and the Japan Karate Center—and a bevy of programs mom can participate in.

In fact, one of the changes helps the club address the boom in class exercise underway, with a multipurpose room created to host spinning, free weights, kettlebell and other classes and programs was created. Special programs led by Personal Health Coach Sean Fagan take advantage of the flexibility of the room and equipment—he's currently helping train Jr. Raiders football players for improved flexibility and strength using the innovative equipment.

Despite all of the changes, one area that hasn't seen too much change is the center's staffing—which Wilke notes hasn't changed much, adding to the goal of making members comfortable.

Wilke concedes there's a lot of activity already, but the center is working on developing new programs and classes to round out the offerings—though it's hard to see what's missing from the list of offerings already available.

He envisions the center as a one-stop fitness location, regardless of how health and fitness might evolve in the future.