Photo by Erin Nelson.
Club4Fitness at Brook Highland Plaza on Aug. 11. The gym is scheduled to open Aug. 14.
John Santamaria grew up in the Brook Highland area and graduated from Oak Mountain High School in 2009. After moving away for several years, he was excited to have the opportunity to become the general manager at the recently opened Club4Fitness in Brook Highland Plaza.
“I moved back here from Biloxi [Mississippi], last August, where I worked a general manager for another fitness company there,” Santamaria said.
The development manager for Club4Fitness wanted to open in the Birmingham market and chose the former Ross Dress for Less location because of the demographics of the area. Santamaria confirmed to them that location would be ideal.
There are currently 18 Club4Fitness locations, with two more set to open in the area: one in Homewood off Lakeshore Drive and the other in Hoover at a location to be determined. There are also three locations south of Birmingham, one in Prattville and three in the Mobile area.
The Inverness location is over 30,000 square feet and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and sound systems to enhance the class experience. The club will offer a variety of group exercise classes (both virtual and live instruction), personal training, cycling and more.
The motto of the company is they are a club for everybody and every body. Its mission is “to provide an entertaining, educational, friendly and inviting, functional and innovating experience of uncompromising quality that meets the health and fitness needs of your mind, body and spirit. You must have the passion and desire to RESOLVE- REBUILD- REWARD and REPEAT for the life of your body.”
Santamaria said the fitness club will offer a variety of classes for beginners through advanced and the staff is nationally certified, experienced and knowledgeable.
“For this location, [employees] have degrees in exercise science, kinesiology, have been trainers well acclimated in the fitness industry,” he said.
There are several levels of membership that include $10 for basic, $15 for basic plus, $25 for premium and $35 for premium plus. The premium membership levels include access to all clubs, group classes, virtual classes, unlimited tanning, hydromassage and red light therapy and more. The premium memberships also include access to all Club4Fitness locations.
Another premium membership feature is that members can go in and exercise after hours. Using a scan-in feature on the club’s app, they can enter the building, and the locker rooms will also have individual access codes.
Santamaria said the biggest question he has been asked is about whether the club will implement the mask law. Staff will wear masks and members, yes, but to a certain extent. Masks aren’t required while exercising or participating in an athletic activity if six feet of separation is maintained.
“[Members] will need to walk in and walk out with masks, but once they are on the workout floor, they are welcome to take them off,” he said.
The club will also offer childcare with the premium and premium plus memberships. Their programs include arts and crafts, computer learning, social and physical activities along with seasonal and holiday activities throughout the year. The cost is $15 per month for the first child and $10 per month for each additional child. Ages are 12 weeks to 12 years. Childcare is available daily from 8 am. to noon and from 4 to 8 p.m.
