An inventive expansion of one of mid-Michigan's premiere fitness centers will ensure community members have even more space to make good on their New Year's resolutions.
In mid-January, the Charlotte-based
ALIVE unveiled a new, reconfigured area in the MOVE fitness center that creates more areas for stretching, building strength, and working cardio routines. ALIVE invested $30,000 to upgrade training equipment, install a cardio theater sound system, and add several new programs like CrossFit, POUND, PiYo and high intensity interval training—or H.I.T.T.
Patrick Sustrich, CEO of ALIVE, comments that the 1,5000-square foot expansion of the fitness center represents ALIVE's commitment to be an experienced-based destination health park, operated by Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital.
"Back in 2009 when we were looking to expand key clinical areas of our hospital, it forced us to reflect on our role in the community," says Sustrich. "We realized our bigger purpose was to enhance the overall vitality of the community in addition to treating sick people."
Nearly 19,000 people visit Alive annually for various services and activities. By expanding MOVE, Sustrich says, the in-house fitness center can accommodate up to 250 people at a time. MOVE currently has 2,000 members.
"We are now the correct size for the volume of people using our facility," says Sustrich. "And we still have more than 13,000 unfinished square feet we can expand into overtime."
Located at 800 W. Lawrence Ave. in Charlotte, ALIVE draws guests and visitors from Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, South Lansing, Nashville, Potterville and Olivet. In total, he says, the health-focused destination attracts people from nearly 100 ZIP codes statewide.
"We're excited," says Sustrich. "Having so much group exercise space allows us to change with the trends in the fitness industry. As new, innovative classes come up, we can bring them here. It keeps things fun, mixes things up, and keeps things fresh."
ALIVE and MOVE are currently hiring full- and part-time fitness staff. Additional jobs are also being filled at ALIVE's cornerstone restaurant:
The Big Salad.
Source: Patrick Sustrich, Executive Director, ALIVE
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
Got a story idea for Innovation News? Email Ann Kammerer here.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.