Powerhouse Gym closes after only 6 months… “It was a valiant effort but a failed attempt.”

Powerhouse Gym closes after only 6 months.

Powerhouse Gym in Monroe Township has closed down after six months in operation, the third to do so in that location in less than a year.

The gym, located at 15249 S. Dixie Hwy., closed March 18 for spring cleaning and was supposed to reopen on Monday. However, owners said it won’t reopen and the landlord is looking for a new tenant.

Troubles at the gym began this summer when Metro Family Fitness shut down in the same spot with no notice to customers in July, followed by Monroe Family Fitness in September.

“I was swimming at ground zero; we weren’t losing money, but we weren’t making money,” said Dan Gavin, owner of Powerhouse Gym. “It was a valiant effort but a failed attempt.”

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As with the other two gyms, Powerhouse failed to pay utility bills on time or pay full rent to the landlord.

“They owe me a lot of money,” said landlord John Meram. “I got ripped off of hundreds of thousands of dollars.” Mr. Gavin said he and Mr. Meram never settled on a lease agreement and only paid small amounts to him.

During the spring cleaning over the weekend, workout equipment was removed and was said to belong to Steve Millenbach, former owner of Metro Family Fitness.

However, Mr. Meram said the equipment taken was his, as well as a computer and membership information. Mr. Meram said he filed a police report for theft over the weekend and plans on pursuing legal action on whomever stole his equipment.

Members also have complained the gym’s billing company, ABC Financial, continues to charge people even after they cancel their membership.

Mr. Gavin said he received numerous calls from frustrated members about this problem when he first took over, and said while he has canceled memberships, contracts may have obligated them to continue to pay for what they signed up for.

To Mr. Gavin, it was the negative views people already held toward the gym that sunk the business.

“ It isn’t the building that’s cursed. I’m shocked at the amount of people who expected to work out there for free,” he said. “ You pay the bills. You tell me how easy it is to run a gym.”

With Powerhouse closed, area gym owners are offering deals or free workouts for affected members.

Go M. A. D. Fitness, 975 S. Monroe St., gave members a free month this month as well as a free hour of personal training. Powerhouse Gym members also can bring in their contracts to Snap Fitness, 1539 Telegraph Rd., to get a discount or some free services while the YMCA, 1111 W. Elm Ave., will waive the $75 joining fee if a membership is purchased.