Amherst residents will soon have another option when it comes to staying fit. Work is underway on a Crunch Fitness facility to open in the Sheridan Center Plaza by the beginning of May. Ann Gross, an Amherst resident and the new Crunch franchisee, is excited to help people stay healthy.
Crunch gyms have been prevalent in big cities like New York and Los Angeles since soon after their debut in 1989. Their “No Judgments” philosophy and commitment to making fitness fun has made widespread success possible. Ann has been admiring the company from the pages of fitness magazines and in person for the last 15 years.
“It was about creating a culture of fun and exercise,” Gross said.
When she learned that Crunch was allowing franchisee opportunities, she knew this was an adventure she wanted to take. It seems like a logical progression for someone with a healthcare background and a master’s degree in physical therapy.
The newest Crunch center will debut in an industry that is fiercely competitive. Success is not a guarantee when two other gyms are established in the area, each only a mile away. Nonetheless, Gross feels that competition is good for the area. Community members will be presented with more choices, which will only increase their chance of success.
Jerry Czora, former operational manager of Springville Health & Fitness in Springville, NY, is no stranger to the competitive market. In a town of less than 5,000 people, he ran one of two gyms. Czora believes that competition “is always good for the consumer.” He knows that research and innovation are of utmost importance. Whoever can provide the most in the way of what a customer needs will have the upper hand.
Customers of the new Amherst location of Crunch will be able to take new innovative classes, like BodyWeb with TRX (acronym for total body resistance excercise), where members suspend from TRX ropes on the way during the session. This is an example of a Crunch-certified class, and it cannot be found anywhere else.
Memberships are available for presale. They fall into two categories, base and peak. Neither option requires a long contract, nor are there large down payments. The base membership includes use of the entire facility, and access to free classes. It costs $9.95 per month. The online fitness tool, dotFit, comes with any Crunch membership. DotFit allows users to input their caloric intake, their activity, and their goals. Peak memberships cost $19.95 per month, and include the amenities of the base membership, plus unlimited tanning and free guest privileges.
The 18,000-square-foot facility will hold 90 pieces of cardio equipment, plus universals and free weights. Television screens are built into cardio machines, making it that much easier to get moving. Gross wants to break down the barriers people face when it comes to working out, and Crunch is allowing her to do that.
Gross is invested in her new business. She left her other job in order to be very present. It is not a venture she is taking lightly, “It’s my job. It’s my baby,” she said. The location is perfect for Gross to serve the people of the community. It is convenient and has plenty of parking.
“I tell people we can bring big city of Manhattan to the little city of Buffalo,” says Gross.
According to Gross there has already been a great community response to the developing Crunch. It seems like there will be a big turnout for this for a big time gym, and now we await the big time results.
I agree in this blog that New York is the most well-known when it comes in Gym. And I heard to my friend that they called "Big City Gym" the country of New York. And this is very true, Thank you for sharing this.
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I think it's important for companies to expand their horizons;a "big city" gym coming to a smaller city may broaden the demographic, but expand their brand power as well.
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