Harrisonburg - 13 May, 2006 -

Nautilus Fitness Center of Harrisonburg has joined the Gold's Gym franchise, a chain of fitness centers that opened in California in 1965. The Gold's franchise will mean additional fitness programs and marketing support for the business, said owner Valerie Holmes. On Aug. 1, the Nautilus center will change its name. Legally, it will be Nautilus Fitness doing business as Gold's Gym, Holmes explained. "Gold's has advertising and marketing plans in place, along with personal training and fitness programs," Holmes said. "That's what Gold's brings to the table for me." Having the Nautilus name on her fitness center is no real advantage for Holmes. Nautilus Inc. manufactures and markets fitness equipment for commercial and home use. The company's brands include Bowflex and StairMaster. "They just sell equipment," she explained. "I get no support or marketing or discounts on equipment." Making Muscles Holmes, who purchased Nautilus Fitness Center in 1998, is adding a lap pool, which she expects to be completed in about 30 days. Her center has expanded from around 500 members in the mid-1980s to 2,500 today. In September 2003, she moved into a new 21,000-square-foot building at 381 Lucy Drive. The Gold's system fits Holmes' approach of tailoring a fitness program to the member. "We don't just show them the equipment," she said. "We take them through the system in steps until they're comfortable with what they're doing." Gold's Gym is ranked No. 76 in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 for 2006, a list of the nation's top franchises based on financial strength, growth, number of years in business and other factors. Initially known for bodybuilding, Gold's Gym achieved international renown in the 1977 documentary "Pumping Iron," which starred bodybuilder and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, now the governor of California. Since then, the company has expanded its programs to include group exercise, cardiovascular training, pilates and yoga. With more than 600 gyms in 44 states and 27 countries, Gold's has 3 million members. The company has 29 gyms in Virginia, including Roanoke, Winchester and Charlottesville. A sole proprietor, Holmes plans to build "a second fitness club in Harrisonburg in a few years."

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