RALEIGH -- A Virginia company that owns five Gold's Gyms in the Triangle is converting the health clubs to a new name and promising various improvements for members.
McLean, Va.-based Titan Fitness is changing the local Gold's locations to Fitness Connection clubs. Members will start to notice new signs as early as next week, said Titan spokesman Matt Amodeo.
Health clubs changing hands often create hassles related to fees, contracts and other changes that spur complaints among members. But Amodeo said this transition should be seamless for local customers.
The clubs' staff, contracts and prices won't change. The parent corporation is also the same and Titan plans to add new equipment, age-specific fitness programs, dietitians and other services.
"We want to adopt an overall wellness approach," Amodeo said. "We have more flexibility as an independent chain to add things members have been asking for."
Titan recently bought the Houston-based Fitness Connection chain and ended its affiliation with Gold's. Titan owns 17 clubs in the Triangle; Greenville, N.C.; Houston, Texas; and Nevada.
But one change will effect local members who travel. Previously, they could use other Gold's Gyms across the country for free.
Now members will have access to more than 9,000 clubs in other cities affiliated with the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. Many will offer free access, but some will charge a small fee, Amodeo said.
The conversion of the Gold's locations in this market will happen over the next three or four months, including various marketing and education efforts to explain the switch, Amodeo said. After that, Titan will look to add more Fitness Connection clubs in this region.
The Gold's Gyms that are converting to Fitness Connection are located in Raleigh at North Hills, on Six Forks Road and on Glenwood Avenue; in Cary on Kildaire Farm Road; and in the Durham side of Research Triangle Park on Emperor Blvd.
