Around Alpharetta/Milton/Windward
Have you ever thought to yourself, “Why is it so difficult to get healthy and fit? It should be easier than this!” Most people, trying to maintain a lifestyle which includes regular exercise, sooner or later, will find themselves asking that question. Anytime Fitness was created with the goal of making fitness and “whole-self” health, not only available, but easily accessible and simple to maintain. So what makes them different from all of the other gyms out there? Take a look inside.
Father and son team, Don and Davin Lester, are co-owners of Anytime Fitness located in Buford at 3421 Ridge Road, Alpharetta at 6300 Hwy. 9 N, and their new Alpharetta location opening in February at 12635 Crabapple Road. Davin has been involved in the fitness industry for many years, moving here from Florida where he was the Corporate Sales Director for a large gym franchise, with the dream of owning his own gym; now, that dream has become a reality. After researching several gym franchises, he and his dad came to the conclusion that Anytime Fitness was the best fit for them. Davin says, “Anytime Fitness moved into the industry when there was a big need for small, intimate, and service oriented clubs. I have always been real big on service. I think your members are your life line — you have to focus on them and meet their needs — everyone is different. With a big club you can’t really do that; members are just a number. Here we can really get to know the members.” The Anytime Fitness franchise is one of the fastest growing in the industry, with more than 800 clubs nationwide, and more than 30 in Georgia. “We are open 24-hours, that makes us unique. And, you can use your membership at any club.”
Don shares his own journey with fitness health: “I’ve always battled with my weight. I would join a gym and not get any help; I was one of those who went from gym to gym, never getting any assistance, and not staying with it. Finally, someone at a gym helped me train and educated and empowered me to find out what was going to help me lose and manage my weight, get in shape and be healthy. This was the catalyst to convince me that it is rewarding not only having your own business, but being able to take someone who needs help, or someone who is at their lowest point, and build them into a totally different person. A lot of times when I am talking to someone about losing weight, I am not just educated about it, I really understand what they are going through.” Don has lost more than 40 lbs.
Rick David is the Director of Fitness at all three locations and is committed to giving each member individualized attention and a plan for long-term health. He told us about how their club offers more to its members than most: “When someone becomes a member, we give them a complimentary fitness consultation and evaluation. We go over their health issues, talk about goal setting, and give them recommendations so they don’t waste their time. This gets them started off on the right foot. We also do a lot of personal training, but, you don’t have to have a personal trainer to get that kind of help. We’ll still give you tips and guidance, training on the equipment, and the health information you need to begin your workout.”
Speaking of personal training, another question a lot of people have about fitness is whether or not they need one. Davin says, “What we really try to push here at the club is “quality members.” A lot of people become training clients because they see the value of our personal training. We’ve really focused on service in a small club atmosphere. Not everyone needs to come to the club three or four times a week, sometimes our personal training clients are looking for that once a week or once a month session when they know they must check in with Rick or one of the other trainers. They know what they are doing, they just want someone to keep them accountable for coming into the club.”
Anytime Fitness is also committed to having the best facilities possible. All of the clubs are fairly similar, with the newest workout equipment, high tech security and surveillance, plasma TVs, individual showers and 24-hour tanning facilities. They are all going to have brand new high-end cardio equipment and individualized shower facilities. “What we really try to do is make this your own personal health club. Because we are open 24 hours a day, several people will come in when no one else is here, and they like that.” Another great benefit for Anytime Fitness members is the access to over 800 locations around the country opened 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
Alpharetta is a fast-growing area with a lot of new businesses popping up all around. Anytime Fitness wants the community to know they are committed to being a gym that focuses on the everyday person, helping their members empower themselves to be healthy and happy. They are also committed to serving the community through their involvement with AIDS Walk fundraisers, serving the firefighters in preparing them for fitness assessments and advanced training requirements, and being available to meet the needs of their members, day or night.
Davin and Don, and the rest of the gym staff, invite you to come into the clubs and see for yourself what makes Anytime Fitness a cut above the rest. With their newest location at Crabapple and Broadwell opening in February, there will always be a convenient location nearby. Anytime Fitness is sure you will see why this is the best and most convenient way to get healthy and stay that way.
For more information, please Davin at (678) 513-2448 or visit www.anytimefittness.com/clubs/alpharetta.