When are too many gyms too much?

Last year, Sioux Falls was named the most ‘ripped’ city in the country by Bodybuilding.com. While gym enthusiasts have been basking in the accomplishment, more fitness centers continue to pop up around the city.

A Yelp search turns up about 70 gyms in Sioux Falls, many of which are 24-hour fitness centers.

In 2007, Anytime Fitness made its Sioux Falls debut, around the time the 24-hour fitness center trend began.

“We have over 2,700 locations nationwide. Here in Sioux Falls we have two locations,” said Tyler Kruid, Sales Manager.

But things have changed in the past eight years, and more competition has moved in.

“We anticipate that we’ll have a total of about ten fitness centers around Sioux Falls by the time we’re done,” said Donn Hill, GreatLife Golf and Fitness President.

GreatLife is introducing four new smaller satellite locations around Sioux Falls.

“A lot of people want the convenience of working out near their home or near work and so we’re strategically placing these smaller centers around town as well,” said Hill.

The purpose of these 24-hour fitness centers is to make working out as convenient as possible. People can come in, hop on a machine, and get on with their day no matter what time it is.

“I can just come here and just take my hour lunch break and workout,” said Eric Anderson, Madison.

Anderson lives in Madison but works in Sioux Falls. He says having a gym that works with his schedule is essential.

“If you work weird hours you don’t have to worry about getting to the gym before it closes. You can just come anytime, use your key fob and get in,” said Anderson.

Although more of these convenience-based fitness centers are popping up in Sioux Falls, gyms don’t seem to be sweating the competition.

“We haven’t been overly concerned with what other fitness centers are doing. We think it’s great that there are more available options for people who want to workout and get healthy because that’s what we’re all about,” said Hill.

Some say they’re willing to step up in order to keep up as this industry continues to grow.

“We’re always changing what we do based on the needs of the consumer, so if we see a need we will change to fit that need,” said Kruid.

GreatLife has already opened their first smaller location on 26^th St. and Marion Rd. Three other locations on 41^st St. and Sertoma Ave., E. 10^th St., and 26^th St. and Village Square will open by the end of March.