rush wants to make fitness fun

Michael Shannon, the general manager of the Rush Fitness Complex in the Chapman Ford Shopping Center at 6518 Chapman Hwy., says the excitement being generated by the giant new facility slated to open in the same shopping center sometime this summer seems to be escalating by the minute.

Shannon said the new fitness center will add a whole new dimension to the way health clubs are perceived in the Knoxville area.

“The place is going to be incredible,” said Shannon. “Basically, what we do with fitness is we want to have a place that is going to be fun, it’s going to be enjoyable, and people are going to look forward to coming here to work out.”

Shannon is confident that a more client-friendly club will attract a whole new demographic of people to start working out and improving their health.

“Most people who don’t work out don’t do it because it’s not fun,” explained Shannon. “We’re going to bring some excitement (at the new Rush opening this summer), something for people to look forward to. We’re planning to add some new twists that no other club in this area has.”

He added that the soon-to-be-open Rush will include the usual state-of-the-art equipment regularly offered by Rush Fitness Centers, and it’ll also push the envelope by offering a few things that have not been available at health clubs in the Knoxville area before.

“We’re going to have lounge areas,” Shannon said, listing some of the features that will make the new Rush unique. “We’re looking at having a ladies-only workout area. We’re going to have a lap-pool. We’re going to have juice bars, and we’re even going to offer (interactive) video games.”

Shannon said a fresh outlook on the whole health club experience is what will set his club apart from the others.

“Unfortunately, most of us grew up with the old thing, ‘no pain, no gain,’ and that’s the mindset that a lot of these gyms have,” Shannon continued.

“But if you do it and you enjoy doing it, you’re more than likely to stick with your program,” Shannon commented. “That’s what we’re here for. If you make it fun and offer more to do than just working out, we feel that people will look forward to coming here,” said Shannon.

The Rush General Manager said the temporary facility now in operation is a little over 9,000 square feet and offers some of the best equipment available in this market.

“We have everything you need here at the temporary facility,” said Shannon. “The only thing we don’t have is a lot of the bells and whistles.”

“We opened (the temporary facility) up so people don’t have to wait five or six months, or however long the construction takes, to work out,” Shannon commented.

 He said the temporary facility was opened in January.

The closer it gets to the new facilities’ anticipated grand opening (expected to occur around August of this year), the more excitement surrounding the project grows.

“Membership applications are doing great, it’s been awesome,” Shannon said.

He said the health club is rewarding new clients for their patience by offering a deal on membership fees.

“What we’re doing now is we have some charter rates we’re offering,” Shannon explained. “Right now we have a special offer were we are giving two weeks free. They can come down and check the club out and actually get to work out for free. How many health clubs can say that?