Counties Fitness making gains
A decade of dedication and hard work is paying off for Counties Fitness and Health Club.
The Manukau Rd gym recently won the Health & Beauty category at the 2016 Pukekohe Best in Business Awards and is months away from completing a extensiverennovation.
Counties Manukau Fitness owners, Ian and Tracey Wilson, have both spent the past 10 years expanding the business, and Ian said the gym’s going to become one of the largest in the country.
‘‘When we first started here the place was probably a quarter of the size it is today, and you know it was a typical run-down country gym sort of struggling to stay afloat.’’
The new renovation includes state of the art facilities, a new boxing ring and equipment, daycare, new changing rooms as well as health and beauty treatment rooms.
The passion to bring the best for gym members had been a major motivating factor for the couple, Ian said.
‘‘We all get a massive kick from just the joy we bring our members - I’ve always said we get paid in social dollars.’’
Tracey, who is group fitness manager, said the gym catered for people of all ages.
In particular, golden oldies fitness classes have proven a hit.
‘‘The highlight is the free tea and coffee they get out of the class, and they all meet up afterwards.’’
Sales manager, Kylie Dunn, said the gym had become an important social hub for the growing Franklin region.
‘‘We actually tend to get people coming in who are new to the area, and they want to meet other people.’’
Ian said with the fitness world evolving, the gym was always looking for new ways to reach out to the community, especially with so many people time-starved and juggling many different commitments.
‘‘People always want to achieve results as quickly as possible, and there’s been a lot of science and we’re getting better and better at working out what does work.
Staff had been instrumental in building the success of the gym, Ian said.
‘‘It’s all about recognition of the staff, you can easily lease a building and throw a whole heap of equipment in it, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be a success.
‘‘We’ve gathered together a great bunch of people that have made the place what it is.’’