New 24/7 gym has officially opened at Crown Heights, Basingstoke (From Basingstoke Gazette)

New 24/7 gym, Anytime Fitness, has officially opened at Crown Heights, Basingstoke

7:00am Saturday 18th August 2012 in Business By Richard Garfield

WITH the country riding on a wave of Olympics enthusiasm, there could not have been a more fitting time for Basingstoke’s first 24-hour gym to hold its official launch.

Cutting the ribbon at Anytime Fitness, in Crown Heights, was franchise owner Tom Norbury, accompanied by Anytime Fitness mascot Captain Running Man and around 70 of the club’s members.

Delighted that so many people made time to pop down to the champagne opening, Tom said that business is going well, and since the gym started opening in mid-June, it has attracted more than 400 members.

Tom thinks the country’s buoyant Olympic mood has helped to boost membership and hopes the feelgood factor will continue to do so for some time to come.

“We have had people say that the Olympics have been a great catalyst that has inspired them to get fitter and begin to lead a healthier lifestyle,” said Tom.

He is not only encouraging individuals to join, but also local businesses, as he is offering 15 per discount for corporate deals for the gym which is open seven days a week.

“It’s a great way for companies to encourage their employees to get fit and stay fit,” said Tom.

“I think the gym is so in keeping with corporate lifestyles and it offers what they would expect. We have got individual dry and wet rooms, so that means that someone can enjoy a work-out, take a shower and be able to go to a meeting afterwards.

“It’s got that private members feel, which a lot of corporate people like, and the equipment is state-of-the-art.” The ultra modern town centre gym not only has an impressive range of cardiovascular equipment, with built-in Sky TV entertainment screens, it has cross-trainers, stationary bikes, free weights and resistance machines.

Users can use the gym at any time – day or night. When it is not staffed, members can use a security-access key to enter the club.

Tom’s gym was the fifth Anytime Fitness gym to open in the UK, and there are many more being planned.

Club members can take advantage of a reciprocity programme that allows them to have access to clubs, not only in the UK, but also in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia.