Anytime Fitness to open in Sugar Grove this summer

SUGAR GROVE – Sugar Grove will soon be the home of a reportedly top global franchise.

That’s because a lot east of McDonald’s on Park Avenue will have an Anytime Fitness, a 24/7 fitness club.

The official address will be 35 E. Park Ave., and Anytime Fitness will open its door in the summer.

Entrepreneur Magazine had named Anytime Fitness the number one top global franchise.

Justin Connors, owner of Anytime Fitness in Sugar Grove, made the decision to locate the club in Sugar Grove.

“I’ve really fell in love with the concept of Anytime Fitness and looking for a location that I felt was going to be helpful for people … ” Connors said. “Sugar Grove met all of the criteria … . And with a population that’s really starting to take off a little bit I thought it would be a good place to go.”

Sugar Grove Community Development Director Walter Magdziarz said that the village was contacted last year by Anytime Fitness.

Magdziarz listed the different businesses that have decided to have a presence in Sugar Grove over the past year. They include Culver’s, Auto Zone, Dunkin’ Donuts, a dentist and two gas stations.

“We’re excited that [Anytime Fitness] selected Sugar Grove as a location for their business,” Magdziarz said. “There are several fitness places in town already. But Anytime is a different type of operation. So, we don’t necessarily see a direct conflict with them and the others. So, they should be able to peacefully coexist.”

Connors anticipates that there will be two or three employees at the health club.

There will be equipment like free weights, ropes to move up and down and slam balls, which Connors described as a full-body exercise. People squat and grab a ball weighing either 10, 20, 30 or 40 pounds.

“You can just lift it up overhead and slam it on down to the ground,” Connors said. “It really is a great full-body weighted cardio exercise … . There are plenty of different things you can do with it as well.”

Exercisers will be able to do cardio while watching television or playing games. Machines include treadmills, ellipticals, bicycles and rowing machines.

People will be able to take yoga.

Connors said that more classes will come based on the what the members want.

There will be virtual classes where members can choose from more than 100 classes, including Zumba. They can choose an easy, intermediate or hard level.

Virtual classes via a projection screen will be available to reserve. People can join in and do classes together.

Magdziarz noted that the Anytime Fitness franchise has experience.

“This isn’t their first go at it,” Magdziarz said. “So, they’re somewhat experienced. They know what they’re doing.”