With the grand opening this Friday of a new 24 Hour Fitness location at 1000 E. Broad St., Falls Church will be home to a health and fitness club from one the largest national chains in the field. The Falls Church club joins the more than 400 gyms the chain has opened since it was founded in 1983.
As the name suggests, the gym will be open 24 hours a day. The 48,000-square-foot facility features a full-sized basketball court, pool, steam room and sauna, including modern cardio and weight equipment from a full room of cycling machines to elliptical and treadmills in the dozens.
It is located at the site of the former Syms clothing store on E. Broad Street at Seven Corners.
Members can not only use the machines at their leisure, but also take part in some of the gym’s 55 different classes – such as aquatic aerobics, suspension training, and Zumba – or enlist the services of a personal trainer.
The 24 Hour Fitness Kids’ Club gives children the chance to enjoy some fun physical activity while their parents work out. Children from 6 months to 12 years old can play on a mini basketball court and jungle gym, or enjoy a variety of toys for all ages during the weekday open hours of the club, from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
“The Kids’ Club is absolutely enormous,” Falls Church’s 24 Hour Fitness manager Darren Bluffin said. “So it’s a great way for parents to get their exercise and let us take care of their children for them. We have everything for everybody, from the older person to an infant.”
Membership plans for 24 Hour Fitness range from $72.99 a month or an annual fee of $649.99. Free three-day passes are available at 24hourfitness.com.
“They’re a terrific addition to our business community,” said Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sally Cole. She added that the gym will be bringing fitness amenities to Falls Church that the City did not otherwise have, including its extended hours.
“We’ve got a really booming health and fitness industry here, from boutique gyms to yoga and pilates studios,” Cole said, adding that the new 24 Hour Fitness would help in “rounding out” health and fitness offerings in the City.
The 24 Hour Fitness will open its doors at 6 a.m. Friday, and grand opening festivities are planned beginning with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. At the event, the gym will be giving out 100 memberships to the National Military Family Association. 24 Hour Fitness will also be donating $13,000 in sporting equipment to Bailey’s Community Center in tandem with Good Sports. The donation will supply equipment ranging from baseball gear to volleyballs and sport uniforms.
“Currently, we have about 75 team members and are looking to have a crew of approximately 100 employees. Additionally, we’ll continue to hire as our business grows,” Bluffin said.
Cole called 24 Hour Fitness “very community minded,” and praised the business both for the number and variety of jobs they will hire for locally and the benefits that its employees receive.
“The most important thing for me as club manager is the impact in the community,” Bluffin said. “I want to change an area code; it’s not about the hundreds and hundreds of members. It’s always about what you can give back to the community. We want the warm, comfortable atmosphere. It’s about getting into the shape of your life.”
