By Richard Zowie
Leader Staff Writer
This fall, Oxford residents will have a new place to exercise?24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Anytime Fitness, a fitness center that never closes its doors, will be opening its doors in Oxford sometime around Nov. 1.
Located at 186 South Washington in Oxford Marketplace next to Grove’s True Value Hardware, the center will feature 6,000-square-feet of space.
Charter memberships will be available today, and the community is invited to stop in.
Christine Vitale, who will serve as co-owner of the Oxford franchise with Barbara Duperron, said they liked what they saw in Oxford. They also own clubs in St. Clair Shores and Fraser.
‘We wanted to expand into other areas,? Vitale explained. ‘I’ve been to Oxford several times and really liked it. Oxford fits the profile of the kind of city we like to be in.?
Besides being always open, Anytime Fitness offers innovations like individual flat-screen televisions on each piece of cardiovascular equipment.
This is also featured on each treadmill and each elliptical machine. The machines also feature plug-ins for headphones so that exercisers can watch a cable channel.
Some are also I-Pod compatible, Vitale added, noting that people can watch a movie on their i-Pod while doing cardio exercises.
‘Also, we offer a very supportive, non-intimidating environment,? Vitale said. ‘We don’t just say, we do. We are there to make sure people get the most out of their membership.?
Getting the most out of an Anytime Fitness membership means a member can take advantage of the club’s services, wherever they are. Anytime has about 1,000 clubs nationwide, and members can enjoy guest privileges.
‘For instance, if you go to Florida on vacation you can walk into any Anytime with your access key and workout,? Vitale said.
The club also offers private bathrooms and showers, personal trainers, group classes, and nutritional counseling. In short, a one-stop shop.
Vitale added that they plan to have a grand opening, but no date has been set yet.
Anytime’s corporate website is at www.anytimefitness.com.