Anytime Fitness marks 10th year with change of location

By Raquel Hendrickson

After keeping its members on the go for 10 years, Anytime Fitness is on the move.

Maricopa’s oldest workout gym has a new home waiting just up the block on the north side of Bashas’ at 21116 N. John Wayne Parkway. The move will take place sometime in October, possibly during one weekend to limit the impact on members, manager Shell Abbott said.

Weighing the cost of remodeling its current location at 20924 N. John Wayne Parkway against moving to a new space, owners Brent and Brad Richardson saw a clear path.

“It’s about the same size as this one,” Abbott said. “With the paint and the lighting, it will be a lot brighter, and there will be two walls of windows.”

Anytime Fitness opened its Maricopa gym in 2005. It was one of the first 50 franchises in the company. Now there are more than 2,000 across the United States and another 700 in nearly 20 other countries. Melanie Isaacs has been a member since the location opened.

“I came from New York and I was used to running and dancing,” she said. “When I got here there was nothing to do.” With her tough schedule as a nurse, the gym’s 24/7 open doors have been a big convenience, she said.

“And I like the company here. It’s like a whole big family,” Isaacs said.

Abbott said the family atmosphere is an important aspect. A big portion of Maricopa’s population is comprised of working families. Abbott said the two biggest challenges for those trying to get in shape or stay in shape are time and motivation.

“Finding the time for themselves, and then finding friends and family for a support system can be difficult,” she said.

Abbott said the gym maintains 800 to 1,000 memberships even as other fitness centers have opened around town. That includes the city’s own Copper Sky facility. The Richardsons bought the business in 2013 from Brian Mullins, who opened the Maricopa location a decade ago. They also own Anytime gyms in Bullhead City and San Tan Valley. Abbott has been a member since 2006 and became manager in Maricopa in 2013.

Area Manager Lauren Fulks said the lease on the current location runs out at the end of October, and Anytime Fitness may use the entire month to complete the move up the street. They will keep the same exercise equipment, which include the brands Precor, Hammer Strength and Octane.

Abbott said the new location, which was once Blockbuster, will also have a weight room, a cardio room and a classroom. Anytime Fitness has four to five classes a day, with five people teaching various levels of fitness skills. Classes include yoga, kickboxing, Zumba, Rio, 55+ Cardio, body sculpt, Body Blast and the Silver Sneakers program.

The gym has two personal trainers on staff. Abbott said the clientele has always been made up of a variety of people at a variety of fitness levels.

“We have beginners, we have seniors, we have college-bound kids getting in shape to play ball. We have lots of people who are maintaining. We have people who are dealing with cancer or have fibromyalgia. There are a lot of different things going on with our people.”

In anticipation of the move, Anytime Fitness is providing special deals until Oct. 1. AnytimeFitness.com/Gyms/117/Maricopa-AZ-85239 520-568-5226