Gym closes, members owed

Photo: Ragnar Haagen

An empty room is all that's left at Idol Fit Studio in Kelowna.

UPDATE 2:30 P.M.

Following our story of stranded fitness enthusiasts, below, a local gym has stepped forward to fill in the gap.

Owner of Anytime Fitness, Justin Hazard, says his gym is welcoming all the displaced members of Idol Fit with a free one-month complimentary membership.

On top of that, for those still owed money by Idol Fit, Anytime Fitness will provide them with a complimentary membership equal to the amount they were owed (up to a maximum of 6-months with proof).

Hazard says he had heard great things about Idol Fit and was disheartened to hear the business was forced to close down.

“We believe that everyone needs to continue to work on their fitness goals, and we hope that this will help to ease some of the pain experienced by these members,” adds Hazard.

For details on Anytime Fitness check out their Facebook page here.

ORIGINAL

A Kelowna gym and cardio studio has apparently closed up and left town, with some members saying they’re owed money.

Idol Fit Studio opened up roughly two years ago in a commercial area just south of Harvey Avenue on Windsor Road.

It specialized in group personal training with unlimited attendance for a single fee. Users could also take part in spin classes, bootcamps and other strength training. But that changed in February, when members say they were told all bootcamps and fitness classes would be converted into group personal training sessions, which cost more.

According to one member, who wishes to remain anonymous, she received an email from owner Ryan Brown, stating that his mother has been ill with a degenerative disease, which forced him to close the gym to care for her.

A portion of the email obtained by Castanet also adds:

“The other issue was a financial one. Even though the studio was slowly building a steady clientele, it was not at the pace envisioned in our business plan. Almost two years ago, Idol Fit Studio opened. Since then, almost 20 other fitness studios/gyms opened up around town.

"This resulted in slower growth than the business plan allowed for, taking extra long to get trainers to fill session spots, making it impossible to visit mom.”

Brown then goes on to thank his members and apologizes for any inconvenience.

When reached for comment Wednesday, Brown admits there are a handful of people still owed money, but all employees have been paid in full.

“Most of the members, I’d say 90-95 per cent of the members, have been pretty good about the situation. They’re just sad that we’re leaving because we had such a great place and good staff.

“There’s just a few people left who have a few hundred bucks (owing), and that’s it.”

He estimates that Idol Fit served about 500 members, but that due to his family issue, the gym was forced to close on April 10.

Any Idol Fit members who believe they are owed money can contact Brown at [email protected]