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There's a major lack of gym/fitness center selection in the RTP area! I'm sure there's a reason, but it's not obvious to me. With a high population of workers, it's the ideal place to reach those people who want to workout before work, during lunch or after work.
The way I see it, the RTP area would make for booming business for a quality gym. Right now, there's Gold's Gym (with it's smell and 90% broken equipment...ew!) and a smaller, one-room type of place on Hwy 55.
If you or anyone you know is looking to open a nice fitness center, look no further than RTP and you'll have a line out the door of people who would join, I guarantee it!
I don't know if it is as perfect as a location as you think. I prefer joining a gym closer to my house rather than work. I may change jobs often, but I am less likely to move. I also enjoy going to the gym on weekends and would prefer not to have to drive 30 minutes to the gym.
I'm sure I am not alone and this is probably why gym franchises aren't ready to invest in an RTP branch.
Many companies in RTP have employee gyms so perhaps that is why you notice a lack of typical gyms.
Yes, very good point. I belong to Gold's and have been to that one right at lunchtime, when I figured it would be very crowded, but an hour isn't much time to drive there, work out, shower and get dressed, then drive back. I usually work out in the morning before work, and even then, it is not very crowded. But pretty much every large company I'm aware of at RTP has at least some small sort of facility and a shower.
I know a lot of the larger companies have onsite facilities and they are on so much land that people are just running around the office parks and trails.
Both companies that I've worked for in RTP have their own gyms, either on-site or nearby. One was company provided, and the other was provided by the company that rented space to us.
For example, Duke Realty provides a gym to employees of its tenants in Perimeter Park, and I'll bet that some of the bigger companies in Perimeter Park have their own gyms as well.
I think if there was a gym shortage you would not see so many vacant spaces that used to be gyms.
Between employer facilities, the few major players like O2 and Lifetime, and the smaller "weight rooms" I see in strip malls the bases seem to be covered. Add to this the poor economy which makes gym membership a luxury for people like me who are not overly motivated anyway, and there you have it. If I was really going to make an effort to go to a gym there are enough choices for me.
Triangle area public gym's in general have not done well and many have closed or went bankrupt over the past several years although some have been able to survive long term.
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