For those of us out in the less-urban areas of the U.P., a 24-hour gym seems like something that only the fortunate urbanites get to experience. But that's not the case anymore in Gwinn in southern Marquette County, where a new Anytime Fitness location has opened up this summer.
Hoping to get more of Marquette County fit and in shape, wife-and-husband team Paulena and Doug McConnaughey are the managers of the newly opened
Gwinn Anytime Fitness, which began operations in June, in the Beauchamp Plumbing and Heating building right on M-35 as it goes through town.
Paulena and Doug, a Marquette native, can be found welcoming new members along with the other staffers.
So far, the venture looks successful, with more than 180 members as of last week.
"We've been open a month and we have 182 members already," says Doug. "They (Anytime Fitness) like new locations to have 60 members to start out with, and we had 90 almost right away."
There's definitely a need in southern Marquette County for fitness opportunities, and Anytime is filling that niche, with round-the-clock access for members (who get a keycard) and trainers on staff from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. They offer free weights and weight machines, treadmills and cycles, and plenty of other exercise equipment so members can design their own workouts.
A tanning bed and showers are also on-site, and included in membership, and group fitness classes are coming in the months to follow, as the second floor of the building is also remodeled into exercise space. Doug says some of the classes they hope to offer include Zumba and cardio kickboxing, among others.
The cost is right around $40 per month for an individual and about $20 per month for a friend or family member to sign up with them. Memberships are available in one year, 18 months or two year plans.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Doug McConnaughey, Anytime Fitness
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