David Brakke

dbrakke@stcloudtimes.com

Local gym operators say the closure this week of Work Out World Fitness is a reminder that there is a wide range of exercise options competing for customers, and many of them serve a particular need.

On Sunday, a sign at WOW said it was closed for maintenance, but by Monday equipment had been removed.

And on Tuesday, a judge signed an eviction notice after a hearing in Stearns County District Court. The owners of the building accused Granite Fitness & Athletics, operators of WOW, of owing nearly $100,000 in unpaid rent and fees.

Club members scrambled to cancel membership payments after learning of the closure.

"In business it happens unfortunately, but we have a home for those members and we'll treat them right," said Snap Fitness Co-Owner Kevin Hardy.

Hardy helps manage Snap Fitness locations in St. Cloud, Waite Park and Becker. He says an oversupply of gyms in the area far exceed the community's demand. More than 30 workout clubs are listed in the Yellow Pages for the St. Cloud area.

"I hate to see a small business go under, but this area is so saturated with fitness centers," he said. "I think we're strong enough we're not going to be unhealthy, but who knows when there will be another one."

Work Out World Fitness celebrated its third anniversary last March. That's relatively young compared to the St. Cloud YMCA, which has operated in the area for more than 40 years. The Y's Marketing and Events Director Mandy Wolvert says each area fitness center has a unique style to attract customers.

"We're the fitness facility for families," she said. "We offer a lot of programs for kids and that is definitely attractive to families. Parents can come and work out, and kids can be active as well."

Hardy says the appeal to Snap Fitness comes from the convenience offered from the four local branches and membership honored nationwide. Fitness Evolution General Manager Rusty Deters says customer satisfaction has kept their doors open the last 14 years.

"We've got a great staff and pride ourselves on great customer service and having a great team at both our Sartell and St. Cloud locations," he said.

Deters and Wolvert say the way in which WOW shut down was discourteous to its customers. On Monday, several WOW clients said they had received no notification the gym was closing. Many were also concerned about having their membership dues refunded. Hardy says he would have handled the situation differently.

"I would have contacted our members and let them know what would happen. I'm from this town and it if were to happen to me, I'd want to keep a good name," he said.

WOW's closure comes at a time when several fitness centers are offering membership promotions to kick off the new year. That's a silver lining to those looking for a new place to exercise.

"We make it easy for members to get started. We just want to make sure we take care of every member that we have," Deters said. "We'd love to have them and welcome them in."

Follow David Brakke on Twitter @DBrakke_SCT or reach him by phone at 428-1404.

WOW CUSTOMERS SEEKING REFUND

WOW members should contact their bank if they wish to stop payments to the company. Members can also contact ABC Financial, which handles billing for the club, at 888-827-9262.

Members who are having difficulty stopping payments can contact Consumer Complaints at the Minnesota Attorney General's Office at www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/complaint.asp.