WILLIAMSBURG — The new Williamsburg Planet Fitness location at 5137 Main St. is near completion, with CEO CJ Bouchard of franchise owner Excel Fitness anticipating the new gym will be open by the end of the year.
“It’s coming along,” Bouchard said in an interview with WYDaily. “We’re working with the general contractors and our team to try and get that club open as soon as possible. We’re hoping to get it open by the end of the year. That’s the goal.”
Excel Fitness, a franchisee of Planet Fitness with 107 gym locations in its portfolio, announced on Aug. 12 it had acquired an additional 14 Planet Fitness locations within Hampton Roads in a merger/deal with family-run KSMA group. KSMA was established in 2006 by Ken and Sharree Ryder and operated alongside their son Michael Barnes and daughter Amanda Williamson.
“The acquisition of the Hampton Roads locations added the ability for us to open another six locations in that territory, which includes Williamsburg,” Bouchard said.
The new Planet Fitness location will be over 20,000 square feet and feature a variety of cardio equipment, strength equipment, free weights, and functional equipment. The new gym will occupy the former space of American Family Fitness at New Town Shops on Main in Williamsburg.
“This is going to be a state-of-the-art facility with tons of exercise equipment,” added Bouchard. “It’s really going to serve the market and all the people in the market. It’s a 24-hour operation. The goal is to be open before the end of the year so that it’s ready for the community and for the new years resolutions.”
At this time there is no set date for an official grand opening in Williamsburg. Bouchard told WYDaily that there will be more to announce as the gym nears completion.
“Planet Fitness is based off a judgment-free zone where it’s a hassle-free environment, and we want to make sure everybody feels comfortable exercising in the facility. I think that’s really really important and separates us from other gyms,” Bouchard said.
Entry-level memberships will start at $10 a month. For more information on Planet Fitness, visit the gym’s website.
Excel Fitness is one of the first Planet Fitness franchisee holding companies. The company is based in Austin, with over 100 locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia.