The exclusive fitness center of the New York Yankees has taken its act to the center of the Bronx’s busiest commercial district, with the grand opening of a 24 Hour Fitness at 400 E. Fordham Road on Saturday, March 21.
The first Bronx location of the nationwide chain, boasting around the clock workouts and no waits for fitness machines, held a big debut celebration. 24 Hour Fitness, also the sponsor of the hit show The Biggest Loser, gave away free seven-day passes in a celebration that lasted for five hours, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The 36,000 square foot workout center includes 110 cardio machines, group exercise rooms, spinning and cycle room, kids club, supplement and vitamin shop, arm-band devices called Body Bugs which count the amount of calories a workout burns, and functional area for personal fitness training. Its location is convenient to subways, as well as the Bx12 SBS and Bx41 busses.
“We picked this location for its traffic, it is a very busy area,” said club manager Mark Swan. “We are trying to bring fitness into areas that need it the most. The Bronx really deserves a higher end gym without high end prices.”
A monthly membership at the gym currently runs $74.99, but gym goers do not always have to sign a long-term contract, and the patrons usually feel the slightly higher rates worth it.
“At my previous gym, I had to wait for equipment to become available; you had to sign up for every machine and wait around until everyone else was done,” said Luz Roberts, a patron of 24 Hour Fitness’ Fordham Road location. “At 24 Hour Fitness, there is a lot of equipment that is always available. I can come and go whenever I want and work out. The classes and staff are wonderful. It feels like a family.”
Roberts said she even brought her mother along with her to join 24 Hour Fitness, and has recommended the club to all of her friends.
24 Hour Fitness is in the throes of a major expansion into the Bronx and the city, and choose the location in the brand-new Fordham Place building – also housing Sears, Best Buy, Walgreens, and a planned Bank of America – because it seemed like an ideal, modern building in the heart of the Bronx.
“Fordham Road is making a move for the better,” Swan said. “The Fordham Road Business Improvement District sent us a letter of congratulations on our opening. Our service promise is a clean, friendly, and well-maintained fitness center.”
For more information call (718) 924 – 2994 or visit www.24hourfitness.com.
