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Hernando Today

Gym Owners Confident In Spite Of Economy

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: December 22, 2008

SPRING HILL - Contours Express and Curves closed in Brooksville a year ago.

In New Port Richey, a 24-hour Gold's Gym shut its doors without warning earlier this month.

Could it be a sign of more closings in 2009? Some local gym owners have said they aren't feeling the pinch just yet.

"I think we're capable of weathering the storm," said Marc Leslie, co-owner of both the Spring Hill and Brooksville Gold's Gyms.

Memberships generally increase in December and January. People are motivated to shed their holiday weight and memberships usually are popular Christmas gifts.

Another trend that works in favor of the gym industry is the constant stream of health and exercise information fed to the American public - whether from television shows or magazines, Leslie said.

"You see commercials on television and you see good health advertised everywhere," he said. "People are constantly exposed to it."
Gym memberships often are among the last expenses people want to cut from their budgets. Even if they aren't as vigilant about going to the gym, canceling a membership feels like quitting on a goal.

"More people realize this is not an area you should cut back in," said Leslie.

Pete McNamara is a manager at Anytime Fitness. He said gyms are hurting financially "just like any other retail business," but he is not worried about closing his doors.

In fact, he is hoping to expand his location at County Line Road.

"I think it'll be a good year in 2009," he said. "The bad economy has affected everyone, but there is good value to work out at the gym. I can't imagine seeing much of a decline here."

Some chains offer members the chance to "freeze" their memberships until they are ready to resume paying their monthly bills. Others offer various payment plans, some of which include free months or half off the enrollment fees.

Dean Wright, a teacher at Suncoast Elementary, was working out with free weights Sunday afternoon at the Gold's in Brooksville. The chiseled 40-year-old gives no consideration to canceling his membership.

"It just comes down to priorities, really," he said. "If I don't come to the gym, I'm more stressed out about stuff ... If I'm going to cut corners, I'm going to cut them elsewhere."

J.R. Medina, 49, of Spring Hill, also was lifting weights nearby. He works two jobs. He would agree to work three if it meant holding on to his gym membership, which is less than $35 per month.

"I'd never stop," he said as he was catching his breath between sets. "It's the best (investment) I've ever made in my life. I'm 49 and I feel like I'm still in my 20s."

While Leslie is optimistic about the future of his two locations, he would not speak as confidently about the local industry as a whole. He still does not know why the Gold's location in New Port Richey closed. He never saw it coming.

"We might see additional gyms closing," Leslie said. "I wouldn't be surprised if that happens at all."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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