Open house

By Staff
Local fitness club provides convenience
Kim West
People often cite lack of time as a reason for not exercising on a regular basis, but one local business has provided a way around that hurdle.
Anytime Fitness in Russellville was opened last March by Florence native Mark Stevens and his wife, Kristie Stevens. The couple also owns three other locations, including one in Florence and two in Mississippi.
The local location employs an area manager, Dell Buchanan, and three sales managers, including Christie Sparks, Pam Akins and Joanie McKinney.
The center offers private showers, tanning beds, 24-hour access and a range of exercise equipment, along with optional personal training and Wedneday evening gymnastics classes for children taught by Sandi Stevens.
"We have cardio equipment that includes four treadmills, four ellipiticals and three bikes, along with a summit trainer, which is like a Stairmaster on steroids – it (simulates) mountain climbing and you have to take full strides, instead of taking steps," said McKinney. "We also have an aerobic room, weight machines and free weights."
McKinney said the center is geared to members who need a place to work out at varying times.
"This is a 24-hour gym, and members have unlimited access, including weekends and holidays," McKinney said. "We have some members who will come in and work out for two hours at a time and others who want to come in and do a quick cardio workout and then get out because of their busy schedules."
McKinney said only members are allowed to use the center's equipment and services, and each adult member is given a key fob that allows individual access to the center at all times.
"We have single and family memberships, and we've also just started a membership for college students," McKinney said.
The club will hold an open house tomorrow to promote membership and allow potential customers a free tryout.
"This is our first open house, and we're opening the doors from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday," McKinney said. "We're asking people to wear workout clothes and come and work out that day and take a look around the building since it's usually locked. We'll also have food and drinks for everyone, and we'll give out door prizes."
Anytime Fitness is located at 14360 Hwy. 43 in Russellville. For more information, call 331-0444.