Snap Fitness gives Las Cruces a 24-7 health option
Snap Fitness 24-7 is a mom "n' pop store with a difference. It's a state-of-the art 24-7 workout facility, complete with high-end circuit and strength training machines and round-the-clock access.
Shannon Smith, 22, said it was the perfect choice for her because of its location, at 1763 E. University Ave. near Dairy Queen in the plaza across from NMSU's Pan Am Center.
"I work in the plaza here and it's the most convenient, the cheapest and not huge, so I actually know what I'm doing," and she has quickly become familiar with the machines on her circuit training regimen, Smith said.
She works out from three to five days a week after she gets off work.
"I've been working out for a few weeks and I notice I get up early and have more energy to get through the day," Smith said.
"My wife Patricia is a gym person herself and with everybody into fitness, we decided this would be a good business to invest in," said Elmer Musshorn of Las Cruces, who added that he's pretty busy with his main business, a machinery firm in El Paso firm with more than 100 employees.
He investigated his options and chose Snap Fitness, a Minnesota-based outfit that has franchises throughout the United States.
"They're one of the fasted growing in the country. They started with 200 franchises two years ago and now have 1,600," Musshorn said
He said his wife and day manager Christina Rivas will be on hand to offer orientations to new members, especially for newcomers to exercise regimes and circuit training. He thinks gym veterans will find the set-up pretty familiar.
"I love working out here myself, because it's not so busy," Rivas said.
The facility includes state-of-the-art circuit machines, including some new wrinkles like a treadmill with rubber slats especially designed to cushion workouts for runners.
"It's the kind of treadmill Olympic athletes use," Musshorn said.
The center is conveniently laid out, clean and attractive. There are no showers. There are changing rooms, restrooms and a few nice extra touches like a row of eight, brand new flat screen TVs, a vending machine with juices and healthy snacks and a wall of cubbyholes to stow your stuff while you're working out.
The facility also has a sophisticated security system that the Musshorns can monitor from their home and a "panic station with a hot button" that clients can use to get assistance if there is a problem.
The center opened May 3 and already 55 people have signed up. Musshorn figures his capacity goal is about 400.
Baby Boomers are a target demographic, but the first clients range in age from 18 to 60, he said.
"We're already getting a good response from people who say they like the fact that there are no contracts or long-term memberships and it's inexpensive, just over $1 a day," Musshorn said.
The monthly fee is $34.95 with a one-time electronic keycard fee of $25. The usual one-time $49.95 enrollment fee will be waved during a grand opening promotion which runs through June 30. As the name implies, Snap Fitness 24-7 is always open, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Free consultations with fitness professionals are included in the monthly fee along with access to all the clubs nationwide and a Web site that offers help with equipment orientations, free personal wellness plans, an online training center, nutrition and meal planning and a personal Web page that help individuals track their workout progress and offers health information, club news, rewards, special offers and prizes.
For information call (575) 521-7627, e-mail lascrucesnm@snapfitness.com or visit online at snapfitness.com
S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at dmoore@lcsun-news.com
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