Anytime Fitness gym (Submitted photo/Anytime Fitness)

By Kevin Rothwell

Anytime Fitness

World’s largest gym franchise opening in Vernon

Jan 12, 2023 | 6:00 AM

There is a new player on the local fitness scene that will open soon at 4800 Anderson Way, site of the former Quality Greens store.

Anytime Fitness lays claim to being the first fitness franchise on all seven continents, with over 4,700 gyms and four million members worldwide.

(Submitted image/Anytime Fitness)

The 7,000 square foot facility will offer a full range of equipment, classes, training, private bathrooms, showers and 24 hour, 7 day a week access.

The company has dozens of franchises in B.C. already, including locations in Kamloops, Salmon Arm, Lake Country, two in Kelowna and and one in West Kelowna.

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The Kamloops franchise owner is also behind the new Vernon location. Trevor Mann, a corporate pilot from Kelowna, first discovered Anytime Fitness while working in Calgary, and flying for a company that specialized in franchising.

“”I had been looking at getting into something. I was working out at an Anytime Fitness and driving home it struck me that this might be the right fit,” Mann told Vernon Matters.

That led to getting a franchise in North Burnaby which he has since sold. Territories in the Central Okanagan were taken so he found an opportunity in Kamloops.

“Sixty per cent of our existing franchisees own more than one club because they’ve experienced the success of our business model,” the company said on its website.

“The boutique nature of Anytime Fitness appeals to the average Joe or Jane that might be intimidated by heavy lifters at larger fitness facilities.About 60 per cent of our members are female” Mann said.

The Vernon franchise opportunity was owned by someone else, but that changed during COVID-19 and Mann jumped on the chance.

“I have always had a soft spot for Vernon, I grew up on Vancouver Island and we would spend spring break at Silver Star,” Mann said. “It is a beautifully up and coming young family community, watching it grow as part of the Okanagan I think it is going to be fantastic.”

Mann noted the former Quality Greens footprint was perfect for a gym including the roll-up garage doors. Five-thousand square feet will be gym space with the rest dedicated to showers, bathrooms, a member’s lounge and office space.

Anytime Fitness also has global partnership with Special Olympics, and encourages the owners and staff members to voluntarily coach, train and support Special Olympic athletes worldwide.

“Anytime Fitness and Special Olympics share a common belief that exercise can be beneficial, in all sorts of ways, to virtually anyone,” Chuck Runyon, CEO and co-founder of Anytime Fitness said.

Anytime Fitness isn’t the only 24/7 fitness facility in the Vernon; Snap 24/7 Fitness has been open in the Landing Plaza for several years.

Membership pre-sales are underway with a projected opening late this month, pending city and corporate approvals.