Snap Fitness muscling into area
A new chain of fitness centers open 24 hours a day is muscling its way into the area.
Snap Fitness takes a no frill approach. It's geared for the person wanting to lift weights, run on the treadmill or do other exercises. The fast-growing franchise offers an array of machines and hours designed for those craving to get in shape close to home.
Snap Fitness, based in Minnesota, is opening gyms throughout the area. Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski and husband, Don, opened one of the most recent locations at 863 E. Nerge Road in Roselle.
A Streamwood site is expected to open next week while Huntley, Lake Villa, Palatine and McHenry already house the centers. Carol Stream, Elgin, Gurnee, Island Lake and Round Lake Beach are slated for openings. There are about 500 total Snap Fitness Centers with another 300 planned for 2008, Gayle said.
The clubs have strength-training and aerobic equipment including bikes, treadmills, elliptical machines and weights.
"We're keeping the club small. It's like working out in your own personal gym," Gayle said.
There's no pool, babysitting service, juice bar or locker rooms. "It's for the person wanting to join a neighborhood gym," Gayle said.
Clients use a key card to enter the facility at any time of the day or night. The gyms are staffed during set hours. In Roselle, employees will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Personal trainers are also available.
For security, video cameras record the centers at all times.
It's not required that members sign long-term contracts. It's a month-to- month obligation, said Gayle, 55. A single membership is $34.95 a month.
"It's all about convenience and affordability," Gayle added.
Many franchise owners continue to work full-time jobs while operating the business. Gayle is serving in her 15th year as mayor while her husband is an account manager for an insurance company.
This was how Snap Fitness founder Peter Taunton planned the franchises to be run. About 70 percent of franchisees take advantage of this option.
It costs about $184,000 to open a Snap Fitness location, including the $15,000 franchise fee and $120,000 equipment lease.
Taunton launched the company in 2003 under the assumption that people go to a health club for one basic reason - to exercise.
The founder is competitive and dropped out of college to play racquetball professionally with his twin brother. He later ran his home-town gym.
He watched as many of the costly amenities at the gym were unused most of the day.
Understanding that people are always on the go attempting to balance between work and family, Taunton designed the 24/7 health club.
He grew the business, started to franchise and now ranks among Entrepreneur Magazine's fastest-growing franchises.
For more information, check out www.snapfitness.com.