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L-R Co-owners and personal trainers Gabe Merritt and Matt Glynn with personal trainer Ryan Haug |
A new fitness center in Gig Harbor hopes to attract new clients who are looking for personal attention, results and a nice atmosphere. The Club at Gig Harbor, which opened in January, uses a business model that is not too common for gyms: Patrons sign up for a number of sessions, and the price includes not only one-one-one sessions with a personal trainer but also unlimited access to the gym and classes, nutritional consultations, and use of the club’s online tracking system.
“We get a lot of clients who’ve never worked out and want to know how, and clients who are working out but not getting results,” said Matt Glynn, personal trainer and one of the club’s three co-owners.
Glynn worked with Matt Merritt, another part-owner and personal trainer, at another gym in Tacoma. Merritt also trained Jacque DeGideo, a Gig Harbor resident, the club’s other owner. The three started talking about the idea of starting an elite fitness center in Gig Harbor.
“Gig Harbor didn’t have anything like it. A lot of people I knew wanted to have personal training but didn’t want to drive over the bridge,” said DeGideo, who previously has owned other businesses. After talking about it for a year, they decided to “get the ball rolling,” and soon found a Gig Harbor location (on Jahn Avenue) that may attract some Tacoma clients as well.
“We wanted to create a classy atmosphere,” Merritt said, describing it as a “spa-like” ambiance that makes people feel comfortable.
Since its opening, the center has brought in about 60 clients, and consequently an additional personal trainer was hired. The Club offers the latest equipment including some “fun” things like kickboxing, and large-screen plasma televisions.
“It’s a very personal service, so we try to match that with the atmosphere,” said Glynn, who started out as a professional basketball player before venturing into personal training.
The clients work with personal trainers two to three times per week, and receive “assignments.” They can track their results online through a special website, including their “before” photos, body fat measurements, workouts, assignments and other information.
“We feel it’s important to communicate, so people can track results from the convenience of their homes or while traveling,” Merritt said, adding: “We have a huge passion for fitness and we like what we do. I think that shows in our training.”. |
