The construction signs have been up for several weeks at Anytime Fitness of Seal Beach, and as members come and go, in and out of the gym, most are wondering what will happen next. Owners Aaron Roberts and Dana Neucere have so far kept the secret—but now they are nearly ready for the big reveal.
The hard hats and caution tape are signs of real change ahead for the facility: for the second time in six years, Anytime Fitness will expand to offer new and diverse fitness opportunities to its members.
“This expansion will make extra space available for functional training,” Roberts said. “A lot of people have been asking for these kinds of services, and we are happy that we can now meet their needs.”
The expansion includes taking over an adjacent space in the Beach Plaza shopping center, and is expected to open later this month. The space will be dedicated to high-intensity training, and will feature a Tuff Stuff Fitness system that includes a heavy bag, peg board, rings, elastic ropes, monkey bars, and a TRX muy thai bag.
Both expansions were managed during a tough time in the nation’s economy.
Anytime Fitness of Seal Beach opened in its original location in 2008, one month before the economic crash.
Neucere said that it couldn’t have a been worse time to open, but membership continued to grow and that led to the first expansion in 2012 when the club moved from one location to another, just 75 yards away.
With that move, the gym gained an additional 1,500 square feet and doubled the members.
The club now offers a group exercise room for Zumba, yoga, spin, and “functional fitness” classes including senior classes, as well as 24-hour classes available via a state-of-the-art Fitness on Request system where members follow a trainer on a television wall screen. Five new pieces of cardio equipment were also installed in 2012, in addition to four TVs, a stretching area and a Precor 6 station that includes an assisted dip function.
With the expansion later this month, the club will include a total of 5,700 square feet of exercise space.
“When we opened in the new building, our membership had become so diverse, from working professionals to college students and from seniors to those interested in intense training programs,” he said.
“When the space next door became available, we found this to be the perfect opportunity to serve our members’ needs and offer an even better workout experience. I think the diversity of the club is what makes it so successful,” he said. Many members are also eligible for a free Anytime Fitness membership though a Medicare Advantage supplement under a senior program called “Silver and Fit” and “Silver Sneakers.”
“The idea behind our expansion is to be responsive to training needs,” Dana said. “We jumped at the chance to take over this space, which will make a real difference to our members. We have a special relationship with our members; as owners, we are here all the time and get to know everyone. We also listen to what they like and what might make things better at the club – then, we respond. We can’t wait for the big reveal. Look for a celebratory event in May.”
Anytime Fitness is located at 2920 Westminster Blvd., Seal Beach.
