Workout Anytime Featured in Franchise Times

Workout Anytime was recently featured in the Franchise Timesin an article titled, "Nest Eggs: Done right, a rollover of retirement funds can be smart option".

The article is a trend piece on franchisees using their 401(k) to purchase their business. John Heifner, Workout Anytime franchisee, gives great insight into how he went about purchasing his Workout Anytime with the use of his 401(k). He went on to say “Starting our third year, I can start thinking about funding a retirement again instead of keeping my money more fluid for cash flow.”

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Nest Eggs

Done right, a rollover of retirement funds can be smart option

By: Jeffrey McKinney

More franchisees are using their 401(k) retirement funds to finance the purchase of a franchise. Who should consider the move? Experts explain the do’s and don’ts, including warnings about strict IRS rules.

Jeremy Turner’s decision to pretty much tap out his retirement funds to buy a Lawn Doctor franchise was very clear: He calls it the best option he had after banks would not lend him the money.

Turner withdrew $70,000 from his 401(k) plan and another $30,000 he and his wife had in savings to start the lawn care business in St. Louis in 2010. Turner says he discovered companies charge around $5,000 to help complete the financing process. “I would not suggest that someone try to do this on their own because of tax and other risks involved,” he says.

Franchisee Spotlight: Eric and Jen Cowden

Eric Cowden, a Lexington native, graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1996 and started working in sales and marketing for a communications company that does voiceover IT, networking systems and internet protocol. Following, Eric worked for the local FOX network in Lexington and then started a bar/restaurant in 2001. Eventually selling the location, Eric went back into sales and marketing, which he has been doing since 2002.

Jen Cowden graduated in 2002 from the University of Akron and grew up in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Jen’s professional background is also in marketing and she worked for the same organization Eric worked for in the local Ohio branch for nearly 10 years. In the last two years, Jen moved to Lexington to continue her career, helping to plan the first steps in the Workout Anytime business.

 Eric, 40 years old, and Jen 33, are married and continue to work full-time. They will operate the Workout Anytime location concurrent with their other positions. They also both have extensive family-run business experience, which will be valuable for the Workout Anytime operation and get them ready for the next phase of their career.

How did you learn about the brand?

Greg Parker, he’s the area developer for Workout Anytime and also a frat partner. I saw the success he was having and it seemed to fit because of my interest in health and fitness, and all of the healthful changes in society going on.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Workout Anytime?

The equipment is state-of-the-art and we felt Lexington could use some place such as this, emphasizing customer service, bargainfitness, no contracts, etc. It’s also a town people travel to frequently for business and this gives them a chance to take in a quick, affordable workout.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We work with the Makenna Foundation, which is a local charity that supports the UK Children’s Hospital.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

It’s really been finding the proper location because without that, the business model doesn't work. With 150,000-plus households in a 3.5 mile radius, we wanted to make sure we found the perfect spot because we do think we offer a unique spin to the workout community of Lexington.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Workout Anytime?

We want to have short-term goals and within a year add a second location, a third within two years, and start branching out into several areas.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

We’re both involved in fitness and enjoy any outdoors activities or sports, such as golf and basketball.

Grand Opening in Stockbridge

We had an amazing Grand Opening in Stockbridge, Georgia. The new location is located at 3658 Highway 138 SE. The location signed up 82 new members on the day of the Grand Opening - an impressive number. Zelly Wesson, the gym’s operations director, said staff have already registered 800 members. 

Here are some of our favorite photos from the opening!

Workout Anytime Featured in Henry Daily Herald

Workout Anytime was recently featured in the Henry Daily Herald in an article titled, "New 24-hour gym working out for southside".

The article talks about the first Workout Anytime location opening on the southside of Atlanta, though there are 14 franchise locations on the northside of the area. Zelly Wesson, the gym's operations director, speaks about the large numbers of registered members in just the first few weeks. The article goes on to discuss the Workout Anytime business model and the grand opening festivities that were held in honor of the new location.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

New 24-hour gym working out for southside

By: Curt Yeomans

STOCKBRIDGE — Nekisha Dickerson gave her personal trainer, Don Wisby, an exasperated look Friday when he jokingly asked her to do another set of leg raises at the end of their first training session at Workout Anytime Fitness.

#He’d already had the Stockbridge resident doing several exercises, including standing cable wood chops and cable pulls before the leg raises. When she gave him the look, he let out a laugh.

“She’s handled it — she wanted to give up but she pushed through,” said Wisby later.

Franchisee Spotlight: Bill Aicklen of Atlanta

Coming from the automotive industry, Atlanta franchise owner Bill Aicklen talks about the appeal of the Workout Anytime business model. From the cleanliness to the customer service, Aicklen is proud to work with his brother as a team to become successful multi-unit owners.

Workout Anytime Featured in Rome News-Tribune

Workout Anytime was recently featured in the Rome News-Tribune in an article titled, "Tuesday Morning and Workout Anytime plan spring openings in the Hicks Drive shopping center".

The article talked about brothers Bill and Bob Aicklan opening a new Workout Anytime in Rome to open this spring. The Workout Anytime model, concept, and history were discussed. The brothers signed their first franchise agreement in 2009 in Decatur, GA. They then bought both of the corporate stores in metro Atlanta and are beginning a regional expansion.

Click HERE to read the full article or begin reading below:

Tuesday Morning and Workout Anytime plan spring openings in the Hicks Drive shopping center

By: Doug Walker

Construction continues on a couple of slots in the Etowah Crossing Shopping Center on Hicks Drive in East Rome.

Tuesday Morning will be moving from its long-time location in the West Towne Square shopping center on Shorter Avenue sometime in mid-May. A Workout Anytime gym franchise also is set to open soon.

Rella Jackson, manager of the Tuesday Morning shop, said the primary reason for their move in the need for more space.

Franchisee Spotlight: Callie Casey

Callie Casey is a Workout Anytime franchise owner in Nashville, TN. Through her own personal health struggles and her career as a nurse practitioner, she found the perfect work/life balance in a career with Workout Anytime. Her dedication to physical and mental health has helped drive her business towards success, and the payoff goes beyond the books. She gets to be a part of so many journeys of health and wellness. 

Workout Anytime Featured in the Buffalo Grove Countryside

Workout Anytime was recently featured in the Buffalo Grove Countryside in an article titled, "Workout Anytime’ at Buffalo Grove’s new 24-hour fitness club".

The article details new owner Jeff Cercy's background and his plans to open the first Workout Anytime in Illinois in Buffalo Grove. Jeff notes that wants to open 100 gyms in the Chicago area and is excited to bring the location to Buffalo Grove, a city with very few gym options. The article includes information about the straightforward environment and low cost Workout Anytime gyms.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

‘Workout Anytime’ at Buffalo Grove’s new 24-hour fitness club

By: Ronnie Wachter

BUFFALO GROVE — When walking into the Blockbuster Video near the southeast corner of Buffalo Grove, imagine looking like one of those actors or actresses on the movie covers.

The business that is slated to open at 686 S. Buffalo Grove Road, when Blockbuster closes, might be able to help achieve that physique.

Workout Anytime, a 24-hour health club with a plain-and-simple business angle, plans to spend this spring remodeling and moving its equipment into most of the video store’s space. Owner Jeff Cercy said that once he gets his club open, potential clients can discover a welcoming and straightforward environment.

Meet our Franchisee: Zelly Wesson

Zelly Wesson is originally from Portland, OR. He attended La Salle University, earning a degree in marketing and organizational management. He has been playing professional basketball for 14 years in Europe and is currently in his 6^th season in Turkey. He also owns three smoothie franchises called NRgize Lifestyle Café which is located inside LA Fitness in Georgia.

How did you learn about the brand?

During the past four years, I have done personal training in the offseason. I was looking at a number of fitness related opportunities and a friend of my wife; who is the Workout Anytime franchisee in Roswell, Georgia, recommended the brand. I went and saw her gym as a part of my due diligence and even worked out there to get a good feel. After looking into every opportunity, I knew this was the right choice for me.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Workout Anytime?

After analyzing my smoothie businesses, it became clear – that as an owner, I depended heavily on my employees. The food service model is the type of business that constantly needs an employee to be on site and run the day-to-day operations. With the Workout Anytime business model, I don’t need someone there all the time. There’s no food involved and members have access to come and go, as they desire. This is appealing to me because I live overseas most of the year. The 24/7 aspect of the business is also appealing to me, personally as a professional athlete – you can literally workout anytime that fits into your schedule.

What makes your business unique in the community?

The biggest reason people will choose us over the competitors is that we are very hands on with the community. We offer free fitness boot camps and have started offering the boot camps even before our business has been open. We’re very passionate about the health and wellness industry. We genuinely care about people getting in shape and educating the community on the importance of fitness and health.

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We have plans to get more involved with the community and would love to be able to work with the local schools in getting kids active.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

Educating myself on the importance of nutrition and being healthy has been a challenge. I was a big kid growing up. I know first hand the difficulties a child endures, when they’re not in great shape. I battled weight issues until I was about 22. At that time, I hired a dietitian and began my transformation to really getting in shape. It’s really about discipline, balance and doing the right thing for your mind and body.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Workout Anytime?

My end goal is to own multiple clubs in the area. We’re taking it one step at a time, but we’re very excited about this opportunity.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I like to design! I do a lot of interior decorating. I love creativity and finding unique presentations for new things, new projects and new businesses.

Workout Anytime featured on Huntsville, Ala's WAFF-TV 48

Workout Anytime of Huntsville, Ala was featured on WAFF-TV's website in a great story about people making good on their 2013 fitness resolutions.  The article mentions how devotees and newbies alike are finding it easy to stick to their fitness and health goals this year with the aid of Tim Webster, general manager of the Workout Anytime location in Huntsville.

'Workout Anytime' offers inspirations for New Year's resolutions
by Christine Pae for WAFF-TV

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -

People with fresh resolutions are wasting no time hitting the treadmills. But what's keeping them going?

Its 10:30 a.m. on New Year's Day and gym goers are ready to break a sweat.

"I was motivated, I got up, and I said ‘Here I am,'" one woman said.

This will be one of the busiest weeks of the year for fitness centers.

"Most definitely we're going to be picking up every day from here on out through about February, March," Tim Webster, the general manager of Workout Anytime, said.

And according to Webster, for a lot of people, just showing up at his place is a great first step.

"You made the toughest step coming in through that front door. The rest of it is easy now," he said.

And keeping that determination throughout the year is only a matter of focusing on what you want changed.

"Once you find out what those goals are, it's easier to hone in on them. And okay, I know where I want to start you off. ‘I want to lose the mid-section,' we need to start you on our cardio," Webster said.

Click here to read the entire article.