Gold’s Gym location shuts down, angering members

Gold’s Gym,,,,Members of Gold’s Gym Bethlehem will have to burn calories and pump iron elsewhere.

The gym at 2134 Union Blvd. in the Lehigh Shopping Center will hold its last day of business tonight — much to the frustration of its members.

In a letter to members, Carol DeIuliis, senior vice president of operations for Gold’s Gym locations in central and eastern Pennsylvania owned by franchisee Kurt Krieger, wrote the Bethlehem gym was unable to negotiate a fair lease agreement with the shopping center and will be forced to close tonight at 9 p.m.

“Although, very unfortunate news of the closure, we want to ensure you that there will not be an interruption with your fitness routine or your membership dues as your membership will be transferred to Gold’s Gym, Whitehall, located in the Whitehall Mall approximately 2.5 miles from Gold’s Gym, Bethlehem,” DeIuliis wrote.

Members also will be able to use Gold’s Gym Allentown, approximately five miles from Gold’s Gym Bethlehem, on Lehigh Street, DeIuliis wrote.

Gold’s
Gold’s Gym Bethlehem will close at 9 p.m. Friday after the owner was “unable to negotiate a fair lease” with the Lehigh Shopping Center. (RYAN KNELLER/THE MORNING CALL)
Several Gold’s Gym Bethlehem members were irritated by the news.

“I personally am looking into canceling immediately as neither of these locations are convenient for me,” said Bethlehem’s Ashley Stackhouse, a member for nine years.

Bethlehem’s Robert Rivera, a member for a few years, said the impending closure is “a little disheartening and very disappointing,” not only because of the gym’s proximity to his home but also because there was no warning.

“There was no e-mail, no call, no notice, no anything,” said Rivera, who now intends to go to Gold’s Gym Whitehall.

Member Anthony Spagnola, of Bethlehem, echoed Rivera’s sentiments.

“They give us one day’s notice — real nice,” Spagnola said as he was leaving the gym Thursday night. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I feel like an unwanted stepchild out in the cold without a jacket.”

On Thursday night, employees of Retro Fitness of Bethlehem aimed to help the disgruntled gym-goers by placing free passes to the 1856 Stefko Blvd. gym on the windshields of cars parked in front of Gold’s Gym Bethlehem.

Additionally, K. Shan Performances Fitness Training at 1130 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem is offering former Gold’s Gym Bethlehem members a half-off discount for the first month and a trial class, owner Kyle Shannon said.

Krieger owns 10 Gold’s Gyms, including the Allentown and Whitehall locations, under his company, K.K. Fit, Inc.

Members with questions are being directed to the Whitehall (610-264-7900) and Allentown (610-797-6800) gyms.

Members seeking to cancel memberships also can contact ABC Financial at 888-827-9262 or memberservices@abcfinancial.com.