Healthclubs Surviving Economic Downturn

Fitness Clubs are among the few businesses that are not experiencing a downturn during the recession, club owners say. If anything, more people are exercising as a means of fighting off the stress that comes with the economic hard times.

Janice Kay Smith, owner of A Women’s Gym in Old Town, said she is seeing an increase in memberships this year. Another gym, X-Sport, was able to expand and open a new health club six months ago, in the middle of the recession.

Smith, like other gym owners in Chicago, said her business offers just about any workout imaginable. Some gyms in Chicago are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offer exercise classes, free weights, cardio equipment, Pilates and other services.

Gyms in Chicago provide the fast-paced experience in a well-known chain gym like FFC or X-Sport, or a more personal experience like A Women’s Gym. Across Uptown to the South Loop, Gold Coast to Old Town, one can find the type of gym to satisfy any need or preference.

A Women’s Gym, one of the independently owned gyms in Chicago, opened in August 2000. The gym offers weights training to women.

Smith, who has worked as a personal trainer for 28 years, said she wanted to reach out to women in Chicago. She said she wanted to help them realize that lifting weights is an essential part of staying healthy, in addition to cardiovascular fitness.

“We need to realize that we need to lift too,” said Smith, who also wrote the fitness book entitled, “Ate Years as a Weight Loss Counselor and What I Learned."

A Women’s Gym offers a very welcoming and personal environment. Smith said being the only personal trainer at A Women’s Gym has enabled her to be "the only one to tell them what to do since day one.” She has been able to relate to and gets to know members exceptionally well, she said.

"Ninety percent of the women here want to lose weight and about 2 percent want to gain muscle, which increases the metabolic rate,” said Smith. “I find that most want that extra edge.”

From the beginning of each member’s session, Smith makes a personalized plan according to body type, goals, strengths and weaknesses. She also provides therapy sessions and nutrition tips. Realizing that each member is different, Smith said she tries to distill the unhealthy to healthy information inside her members’ heads.

“I want to give them the power,” said Smith. “I teach them what they should do.”

Unlike stereotypical gyms targeted toward women, for only $65 a month this gym offers numerous muscle strengthening equipment for shoulders, hip adduction, overhead presses, leg extensions (catering to the knees), leg curls, lower back, compound rows, vertical chest and abdominal machines.

“Machines are important in regards to how they work particular muscle groups within the body and down your spine, which straightens your body out,” said Smith. “That’s why machines are so good; they work one part of the body.”

Smith recently remodeled her gym.

“I wanted a simple looking, welcoming environment that is personal, acting to work towards particular needs,” said Smith.

A personal gym may be an understatement. Smith explained that not only does A Women’s Gym provide a one-on-one experience, but also all the members there participate in outside activities like dining out together, going to concerts and other events.

For those who do not crave the personalized approach by A Women’s Gym, there is FFC, a chain of health clubs. One of the most popular fitness clubs in Chicago, FFC (Fitness Formula Clubs) offers an immense number of services. With seven locations throughout the city, FFC Halsted Street being one of them, they provide more than just a place to work out.

According to Club Business International Magazine, “Fitness Formula is one of the most dynamic and creative health and fitness companies in the country with a world-class management team.”

Josh Ott, general sales manager of FFC Halsted, said, “We offer our members the alternative. We understand that our members have to work, so we make it so our members aren’t fighting over equipment.”

With the quantity of equipment and room FFC Halsted offers, the thought of a member not being able to get a workout would seem almost impossible. This two-story, multi-room fitness center has hundreds of cardio and strength equipment and 60 exercise classes free with membership. Classes are held in three studios. Also on staff are nutritionists and personal trainers.

The club also has a daycare center, spa, free parking, fitness and nutrition services. A membership also includes discounts of up to 20 percent off at restaurants and stores throughout Chicago.

Open for six years, FFC Halsted has been living by five core values: improvement, safety, integrity, friendliness and superior service. Ott said owner Gale Ambers made this particular gym come together. Ambers has been in the health club business for more than 25 years and is always trying to add up-to-date equipment and services, Ott said.

“He’s in tuned with people,” said Ott. “FFC Halsted is constantly putting money back into our health clubs.”

The price of a membership at FFC Halsted ranges from $61.95 to $82.95 a month. Ott said, “Members really get their money's worth” for the services and discounts included in membership.

“Our personalized service and friendly staff makes for a great experience,” said Ott.

Like FFC, its competitor X-Sport Fitness also is part of a chain and has numerous gyms across Chicagoland. One is the newly opened X-Sport Fitness South Loop. Even though many businesses are struggling to stay open during these harsh fiscal times, opening the gym six months ago was not difficult, according to general manager Jesse Silva.

“The recession really doesn’t affect our gym business at all,” said Silva.

This 24-hour, seven-day-a-week health club provides a number of classes for its members. Pilates, yoga and boot camp are the most popular.

“We also have a 25-meter, junior-sized Olympic pool,” said Silva.

Memberships for X-Sport Fitness vary from $50 to $70 a month.