Candlelite Is A Friendly Place To Break A Sweat

Candlelite Fitness continues to grow.

Its array of amenities makes it unique to any other gym in Brooksville.

It was a hole-in-the-wall fitness center when it opened more than 30 years ago.

Since then, it has added a heated indoor pool, on-site chiropractor, personal trainer, massage therapist, water aerobics classes and updated Nautilus and cardio equipment.

It also converted an old barbeque restaurant into a wing that includes a sauna, whirlpool and steam room.

"They have it all," said Jane Geddings, who was about to step into the whirlpool. "The people who run it are real people."

The gym is owned by chiropractor Thomas Bracken and managed by Sharene Dahmer.

Dahmer gave a tour of the pool, along with the locker rooms, steam room, sauna and workout rooms.

One area has free weights, while another has Nautilus machines. The cardio equipment is in the middle - near the front desk.

Some aspects of the gym haven't changed - namely the membership. There are some who have worked out at Candlelite since it opened in 1977. They're pretty serious about it, too.

"I started working out in 1952," said Norris Aldridge, 81, who is a two-time former Mr. America. "People looked at you like you were kind of funny ... Tampa had one gym back then."

He didn't have that problem when he joined Candlelite in 1984. From day one, it felt like a neighborhood gym.

He still lifts weights there.

"It just keeps growing all the time," said Janie Barnes, an aquatics exercise instructor and massage therapist. "It's ideal for everybody, especially the senior population and pre- or post-surgery (patients). It's very good for them.

"It's so family-oriented," she continued. "The camaraderie among the people who come here is outstanding."

A monthly membership is $35. The $75 enrollment fee is being reduced to $25 as part of the Valentine's Day special.

Any and all previous members who are rejoining will not be asked to pay the enrollment fee, said Dahmer.

Candlelite also is offering a Biggest Loser challenge for members and nonmembers.

There is a $25 entrance fee (which includes a T-shirt). Nonmembers are charged for the months they use the gym.

The first weigh-in is Monday, Feb 16. The contest concludes April 16. The "contestant" with the highest loss of weight percentage is the winner. Cash prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place finishers.

The benefits of working out at Candlelite for so many years could best be summed up by 88-year-old Louis Kranes of Dade City.

"It saved my life," he said. "I had a quadruple bypass and my doctor told me 'If you didn't work out so much, you'd be dead.' ... There was a guy from Tampa who had the same (operation) as me. He lasted five weeks."

Kranes now wears a Life Alert system around his neck, but he still works out at Candlelite. He has been there since the beginning.

"This stuff's good for you," he said.

Biz at a glance:

Name of biz - Candlelite Fitness

Owner - Dr. Thomas Bracken

Where it is - 955 Candlelight Blvd.

Get in touch - 352-799-1977