Area sees boost in fitness centers as economy shows signs of health

JACKSON, MI – Jackson has seen a boost in health and fitness clubs in recent years, another sign the economy is also gaining strength.

In the last two years, at least four new fitness centers have opened in the greater Jackson area. The local market is mostly dominated by gyms that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week – such as Planet Fitness and Snap Fitness – and female-oriented gyms such as Curves in Jackson and Grass Lake.

Health consciousness is on the increase, and more health centers are taking advantage of the marketing opportunity, said Jerry Wood, business consultant at GGW & Associates in Jackson.

Wood said he doesn’t anticipate more opening any time soon, though.

“I think it’s probably reached its saturation point right now,” Wood said.

Still, smaller fitness operations like many of those in Jackson have expanded over the past two years despite the economic climate, according to a new market report by IBISWorld, a nationwide publisher of industry statistics. Gym membership numbers across the country have increased considerably over the past 10 years, going from 36.3 million in 2002 to more than 43.6 million by 2012.

“In this area, there’s a lot of good assets to healthy fitness,” said Mark Jones, who with his wife, Heather, recently bought The Powerhouse Gym at 1901 Horton Road. They have expanded the facility to include The Summit Fitness & Training Center, Home of the Powerhouse Gym.

The fitness center has found its niche in the Jackson market by focusing on incorporating functional fitness that helps people burn 600 to 800 calories in 30 to 45 minutes. Functional fitness exercises train muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements people might do at home, at work or in sports.

Exercises such as CrosSeal – a high-intensity program of plyometric exercises and other movements – are perfect for those who do not want to spend four hours on the treadmill in order to burn hundreds of calories, Jones said. Clients also get to work with a trainer throughout the workout.

“They’re extremely effective but a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s proven to be the most effective way.”

Mary Nanfelt, lead analyst for IBISWorld, said she is seeing more gyms catering to functional fitness.

“Generally, these (exercises) are teaching your body to be strong in things that you do every day,” she said. “You can feel the difference in your everyday life.”

The gym, health and fitness club industry has benefited greatly from the array of marketing campaigns and consumer trends for fighting obesity and improving health, according to the IBISWorld report.

The fight against obesity hits close to home for Jackson County, which ranked 53rd out of 83 Michigan counties in overall health, according to a recent study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

The study says 37 percent of adults in Jackson County are obese, a higher rate than all other counties in the state except Saginaw (40 percent), Cheboygan (39 percent) and Gratiot (38 percent).

Kathe Meade’s own struggle with obesity is what led her to eventually open her own fitness center in Summit Township.

Meade, who at one point weighed nearly 300 pounds, opened Evolve Fit Club last month.

The 6,700-square-foot facility includes an exercise area for classes, which include kickboxing, Zumba, circuit cross-training, yoga and body sculpting.

Evolve Fit Club also will offer weight loss programs, healthy cooking classes, body challenges, boot camps and cooking classes for children.

“I understand the journey,” Meade said in a recent interview. “I’ve done every diet you can think of.”

Fitness clubs that have this holistic approach of health and nutrition is a trend in the preliminary stages but one that will grow in popularity, Nanfelt said.

“It caters to all the trends that Americans are seeking,” she said.

Nanfelt also said the 24-7 gyms continue to thrive in today’s economy. “Consumers are becoming more and more busy,” she said. “With the ability to work out whenever they want, that’s a huge perk.”

When Debbi Vischer and her husband Michael opened their own 24-hour fitness center in Brooklyn in February 2011, they had 50 members. Now, Anytime Ftiness at 250 S. Main St. has up to 400 members.

“If it’s not within 15 or 20 minutes, you’re not going to go (to the gym),” Vischer said. “It’s just too time-consuming.”

The fitness center has cardiovascular exercise and strength-training equipment, as well as personal training, wellness programs and tanning.

The members appreciate the convenience of working out whenever they want and not having to drive to Jackson to do so, Vischer said.

“It has definitely met a need in the Brooklyn community, especially being open 24 hours a day,” Vischer said. “It seems to be holding its own.”