Gold’s Gym new location in South Carolina

30-year-old Orangeburg health and fitness club has gone Gold.

The former Brickle Street Muscle Beach fitness club is now a Gold’s Gym.

The transition occurred Oct. 25.

“We always wanted to do a Gold’s Gym,” said Dr. Asha Rodriguez, who owns the club with her husband, Ramon. “The timing was right.”

As a result of the transition, the couple was required to renovate and upgrade the entire facility to meet the Gold’s Gym standard.

The interior of the building was expanded by 2,700 square feet and all-new Cybex equipment was purchased. The upgrade included renovation of the men’s and women’s locker rooms (including a sauna in the women’s locker room) and the front lobby area.

“They told me we had to redo everything,” Ramon said, explaining Gold’s focus is on high-quality facilities and superior standards.

Some of the stationary cycles even have personal televisions providing exercisers a place to watch their favorite television program, Ramon said.

The investment totaled about $400,000. The transition is expected to see the addition of upward of 20 new employees.

During the entire time of the renovations, the club has remained open.

“It has been a nightmare,” Ramon said, with a little smile.

Former members of Muscle Beach will automatically become Gold’s Gym members. Ramon said membership fees will remain the same.

A grand opening will be scheduled for sometime in the future, though plans are to give about 400 free memberships on the grand opening day.

The club will retain spinning classes, zumba, yoga, t’ai chi, nursery service and cardio classes.

“There will even be extra space for a cardio theater,” Ramon said. The theater will provide those who are exercising a place to watch movies.

Even the parking lot has been upgraded with new fencing, lighting and paint.

There are about 160 total parking spaces.

Ramon said the application process to become a Gold’s Gym was intense and lasted about a year.

Ramon said he was overwhelmed upon hearing of the news and the awarding of the franchise.

“I cried,” he said. “It is prestigious to be a member of Gold’s Gym. It is a corporate health club.”

As part of the prestige that comes with Gold, Ramon said the business must spend at least $1,000 a month on both local and international advertising efforts.

The gym will also be inspected at least four times a year by Gold officials to ensure it is meeting requirements.

Ramon said he is particularly excited about what the Gold’s Gym quality and standard will mean for Brickle Street and the plaza area.

He envisions a number of potential spin-off businesses in the Brickle Street area, such as a chiropractor’s office and healthy dining options.

About 12 commercial rental units are available, Ramon said.

“Everybody wants to be beside a Gold’s Gym,” he said. “Usually Gold’s Gym locates in a major market.”

Currently, there are about five Gold’s Gyms in Columbia and three in Charleston.

The gym is open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Established in Venice, Calif., in 1965, Gold’s Gym has more than 650 locations in 37 states and 28 countries.

The gym has nearly 3 million members worldwide.

For more information, call 803-347-8525 or visit goldsgym.com/orangeburg or email goldsorangeburgsc@outlook.com.

Contact the writer: gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551.