Anytime Fitness offers workout options

Anytime Fitness opened its doors March 3 to give Commerce residents the opportunity to workout 24/7.

"We felt there was a need here for a 24-hour gym here," Anytime Fitness owner James Hulett said. "We looked all over the Dallas area and felt Commerce had the greatest need."

According to Hulett, he and his wife Rachel own restaurants in Frisco, but this is the first gym they've owned. He said business has been good, so far.

"Usually, there are people here pretty late," Mr. Hulett said.

Mrs. Hulett said she hopes Anytime Fitness will help Commerce residents realize the need to stay in shape.

"We want to show people how important fitness is," she said.

There are typically one or two people who workout from midnight to 2 a.m. every night, according to Hulett. One person who uses the gym at this time is Commerce Mayor Quay Throgmorton.

"I've been there at two and at four," he said. "There is nobody around and it works out real well for me."

Throgmorton said the introduction of Anytime Fitness into Commerce is good for the town and its people.

"We need to have more businesses like this in our town," he said.

A membership with Anytime Fitness is not isolated to the Commerce location according to Mrs. Hulett. She said once you're a member at one location you have access to 1,400 gyms worldwide.

Although Anytime Fitness is in direct competition with the Morris Recreational Center, Mr. Hulett said there has been no animosity between the two gyms.

"What we offer here is completely different," he said. "Our members are interested in just coming here, getting a work out and leaving."

Director of the MRC Jorge Juarez was out of town and unavailable for comment at press time.

Throgmorton said although the equipment at the MRC is impressive, he switched to Anytime Fitness because of its convenience.

"This just works out better for me," he said.

Mrs. Hulett said the gym's members are attracted to the amount of available machines and openness of the gym.

"It makes people feel like they have their own club," he said.

Aside from working out, members of the gym also have the option of tanning.

"About 40 percent of our members tan," Mrs. Hulett said.

Another factor, which is increasing membership according to Mr. Hulett, is the option of family plans. He said the gym takes members from age 16 and up, and offers discounts when family plans are purchased.

Throgmorton said he is using the gym two to three times a week, but hopes to add to his workout routine.

"I'm hoping I can start going there three or four in a week," he said.