The GYM: Sparta’s newest 24-hour fitness center

Health, fitness, and self-care are always a hot topic at the beginning of every new year, and this year they may even be more so as people work to find ways to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, as we are nearing the one-year mark of the global pandemic that has had people around the world feeling the effects of isolation.

The GYM, located at 220 W. Bockman Way, is Sparta’s newest 24-hour fitness center and aims to help residents of White County fight their way back to a healthy and active lifestyle.

“By being open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year there is never a bad time to work out,” The GYM owner, Ray Shafer said, adding that by unlimited hours, finding a time when The GYM isn’t busy and where members can safely distance themselves from other users shouldn’t be difficult either.

The GYM is conveniently located in the center of town, on Bockman Way, which provides plenty of lighting, making entry and exit from the facility safe, even at the latest hours of the night.

“We have limited parking in front of the gym, but after 5 p.m. this isn’t an issue,” Shafer said.

 Shafer explained the fitness center shares a parking lot with the business next door, but their hours are only limited to late morning through early afternoon.

 “During busy times, which are all daylight hours, there is plenty of parking in the rear of the building as well,” he said.

According to Shafer, memberships to The GYM will provide members with their own key code to enter and exit the facility at their convenience.

“Right now, each member will receive an actual key, but next month we will be having an electronic passcode box installed, and each member will have their own unique code,” he said.

By giving each member their own unique code, Shafer, along with the gym’s manager, Rachel Auberger, will be able to know who is in the building at all times, creating an additional level of safety for members.

The GYM is equipped with both free weights and machine weights for those members who are looking to improve their strength and/or their muscle tone.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced weightlifter or just starting out,” Shafer said. “We have what you need to create your own personalized workout.”

In addition to the weights, The GYM also has treadmills, elliptical runners, and a stationary bicycle for those members who are looking to add a cardiovascular component to their workout to maintain heart and lung health as well as work on either weight loss or healthy weight maintenance.

“We don’t want anyone to feel intimidated by the machines or the facility,” Shafer said. “We hope that the light, clean, open atmosphere will make everyone feel welcome, and our manager is ready and willing to give a tour and provide instruction on how to safely use any or all of the equipment,”

Auberger, The GYM’s manager, has a degree in Health and Fitness with a specialty in Lifetime Wellness and has over 20 years' experience in gym management, personal training, and group fitness. Shafer encourages giving her a call at (931) 444-1456 to get started on your own fitness journey or continuing one you may have paused, today.

“We are open and have members already taking advantage of the unlimited workout hours available,” Shafer said.

The GYM is currently offering a “New Facility” sign up special that will allow new members to receive 10 percent off the first two months of their membership.

“We are currently offering a two-month membership for February and March for just $36,” Shafer said, adding that there are discounts for additional members in the same household.

“And we are waiving the joining fee for all memberships right now,” he said.

According to Shafer, new members can sign up and begin working out right away by signing up online at bit.ly/TheGymSparta or by calling (931) 444-1456 and scheduling a time to meet with either Auberger or himself to get a tour and pick up their key.

“We really hope that Sparta will take advantage of this opportunity to get out and get active and stay healthy,” he said. “With no ‘closed’ hours, there are no excuses – there is always time for The GYM.”