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April 7, 2007

Reaching the Peak

New fitness center under construction in Dalton

By Jamie Jones

For Preston Bivens and Mark Stanley, the idea to build a fitness center in Dalton began as idle talk in the weight room of the Fire House gym in Calhoun.

“I’ve been driving to Calhoun for the past four years,” Bivens said. “They have a real nice facility there. That gave me the idea to build one up here. There are several Dalton people who work out there, and we would kid around about building one.”

Now their vision of owning a gym in Dalton is becoming a reality. Construction is currently under way on Peak Fitness, a 23,000-square-foot fitness center located off the North Dalton Bypass near the Hammond Creek subdivision. Peak Fitness has a tentative opening of September, but the pair said that depends on how construction goes.

Bivens and Stanley, both Dalton natives, hope to capitalize on the growing trend of healthy living, physical fitness and weight loss. But with several gyms already in Whitfield County, how will Bivens and Stanley set Peak Fitness apart?

Stanley said the location is a selling point, especially with the residential and commercial growth occurring in the north end of Whitfield County. Also, Hollis & Hollis Development has plans for a large “lifestyle center” — including several retail stores — adjacent to Hammond Creek to go along with the current karate studio and medical offices.

“The future plans for the area was a big draw,” Stanley said. “Nothing is concrete, but there are plans for some big-box retailers, restaurants and condos there.”

Bivens also points to the “energizing type atmosphere” Peak Fitness plans to offer. That means an open floor plan, plenty of light and piping in current music.

“That’s what the concept of these new gyms are is to entertain you while you’re working out,” Bivens said. “We’ve been everywhere looking at different gyms. We took ideas from all of them.”

They also plan to have the latest fitness equipment, some which allow you to plug an MP3 player directly into the equipment or watch television on a screen embedded in the treadmill. The workout floor will be approximately 13,000 square feet and include aerobics, cardiovascular equipment, weight machines and free weights. Peak Fitness will also offer personal training, tanning beds, day care and will feature a pro shop selling vitamins, supplement, clothing and weightlifting gear.

Capacity inside the gym will between 250 and 300. Stanley said he would like to have 2,600 to 2,700 total members. After that, they may have to cap membership, but both say that would be a good problem to have.

“I know one of the complaints from people I talk to are some gyms are just so crowded,” Bivens said. “Sometimes you can’t even get on a machine. We don’t want that to happen at our gym. We train, too, and I hate to wait in line for equipment.”

Bivens and Stanley plan to have Peak Fitness open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. They will start preselling memberships two or three months before Peak Fitness opens. There will also be a a 891-square-foot space next to the gym. It may be rented out or used by Peak Fitness.

The gym will also hire several employees, including a gym manager, personal trainers and aerobics instructors. For information, write to Bivens or Stanley at P.O. Box 867, Dalton, GA 30722.

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