Fitness center under new ownership
There’s been a fitness center at the Weaver’s Corner Shopping Center for several years, but that place now has a new owner and a new way of doing things.
Fitness 1440, a franchise of 24 locations nationwide with eight more coming soon, took over in May and has taken the course of many fitness centers by offering their services any time of day or night, 24 hours a day, for all 1440 minutes of the day, thus the name.
Blaise Defrances, owner of Fitness 1440, came to Florida five years ago from Pennsylvania and opened a Fitness 1440 location in Englewood, which has been very successful.
“It was time to move on to a second gym. So this gym came for sale and I went with it,” Defrances said. “It’s been a busy summer renovating it from what it was.”
Defrances painted the place that was formerly known as Next Level Fitness, put up a fresh new sign, installed new shower rooms and replaced equipment to give the gym a new look and feel.
They also installed new security cameras in August, which was when the gym went 24/7. Members are given a membership card that they can use to swipe in at any time. The cameras not only make sure customers stay safe, but can also be used to locate missing items and make sure things stay as they were left.
“You’d be surprised at the people who work out at 3 a.m. There’s always someone here working out.” Defrances said. “People tend to take care of the equipment. And the cameras are for accountability.”
Fitness 1440 has all the equipment you need to get and stay in shape. Weight machines, free weights, treadmills and stationery bikes are among the standard necessities for circuit training, cardio, and strength.
There is also a workout room where people participate in yoga, Zumba, Pilates and other exercise programs conducted by the staff.
They offer individual and group training supported by nutritional guidance. Their certified training staff is committed to individual needs and goals, and customize a program for each member.
Since Defrances took over, the gym has done very well. July was the best summer month the location has ever had as the full-time residents came to like the place. Now, with the seasonal customers and people who hope to come through on their New Year’s resolutions, things are expected to only get busier.
“It tends to be the seasonal members who do the resolutions. The residents are usually working and trickle in,” Defrances said.
Fitness 1440 offers free trial memberships. After that, rates start at $29.95 per month, which includes 24/7 access. Yearly and seasonal rates can be cheaper per month, and there are specials on personal training and other supplements.
Fitness 1440 is staffed from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are plans to staff on Sundays at some point, Defrances said.
For more information, call 731-2348.