Anytime Fitness not fazed by opening of Copper Sky

Before the Copper Sky Multigenerational Center opened in March, Maricopa’s only full-service gym was Anytime Fitness in the Maricopa Fiesta plaza near Bashas’.

Owner Brent Richardson purchased the business in February 2013, aware Copper Sky would be opening this year.

“It is competition, but it’s not 100 percent the same thing. Copper Sky opening gives Maricopa a good variety,” Richardson said. “Some people prefer the type of service that Copper Sky offers with everything that’s included along with their fitness center, and others prefer the convenience that Anytime Fitness offers as a 24/7, 365-day-a-year club where key holders can come and go as they please.”

Richardson said the opening of the Copper Sky Multigenerational Center has had an impact, though.

“There is always a dip when something new opens, and we were expecting that,” he said, declining to elaborate how much it’s affected his business.

The business is in the process of remodeling, including repainting and installing new carpet in the cardio room.

“By the end of the year we will have an answer as to whether we will continue with our remodel with our current location or move to a new location in Maricopa,” said Richardson, whose lease expires in October 2015

Anytime Fitness still offers all of the classes and programs it did prior to the opening of Copper Sky including Zumba, yoga and Silver Sneaker classes for seniors. Richardson said there are more than 200 senior citizens actively involved in in the gym’s classes and programs.

“Senior citizens don’t pay a dime to work out at our facility,” Richardson said. “We are reimbursed by healthcare companies for their membership.”