By KELLEY R. DAUGHERTY
Special Sections Editor

Are you beginning to regret every time you had just one more bite or helping of the rich, fattening foods typically prepared at holiday meals? Are your clothes just a little tighter or maybe even a whole lot tighter?

Well, there is a place in Fayette County that boasts its newest 50 members have all lost on average 18 pounds in the last month and they are doing it at the lowest prices in town.

Fayette Family Fitness, located at 720 North Glynn St. in Fayetteville, is just that place, emphasizing fitness and nutrition in a family-oriented atmosphere.

With the most state-of-the-art equipment, the center offers one-on-one training in areas of weight training, aerobics and more while providing conveniences such as a nursery and nutrition supplement center, Planet Smoothie.

The center, previously Gold's Gym until 1996, is managed by Ron Gasaway and is privately owned by United Fitness. The owners, according to Gasaway, wanted to get away from "the musclehead image" and become more of "a service to the community." Fayette Family Fitness is a sponsor of several softball, football, baseball and soccer teams at local high schools and even hosted the Fashion Show that raised money for The Joseph Sams School.

Fayette Family Fitness is staffed by certified trainers, who all undergo a two-week seminar taught by an exercise physiologist from Georgia State University. All of the staff are taught about basic exercise needs and how to handle emergencies. According to Gasaway, the staff is even trained to assist customers who have special physical needs, including those who have recently had open heart surgery.

In an effort to meet all of the community's health needs, the center is remodeling several areas in the facility. A new Ladies Workout area only, is being added along with a complete line of Cybex equipment. The free-weight area has been improved with the addition of the new Hammer-strength equipment, which builds muscle and strength without the appearance of being "muscle-bound," said Gasaway.

The new Planet Smoothie, added last June, is a "higher line nutrition center," Gasaway said. In addition to smoothies, a protein and fruit shake without fat, the store sells supplements and meal replacements, with very "low mark up," making the entire center a "one stop shop."

Another recent addition is the nursery, run by a member and mother of a 2-1/2 year old, Rebecca Hays. Hays says the nursery is an extra convenience mainly for "aerobics mothers." The nursery can keep children from ages 6 months to 9 years.

While Hays says the greatest challenge faced by the nursery is the "wide disparity of ages," they have been able to face that challenge through the wide selection of entertainment from videos, to snacktime, coloring and more.

Furthermore, the experience for the children is "very beneficial because it introduces many to socialization."

The nursery is available to members from 9 a.m.-noon, Monday through Saturday; from 4:30-8, Monday through Thursday; and from 5-7 on Friday.

The nursery holds a maximum of 12 children, though typically there are only 8 children. Two employees are in the nursery at all times.

The facility is managed by Fitness Management under Gasaway, who took over in June. Gasaway began his career in fitness in 1972 with European Health Spas. In 1980, he worked for American Fitness Center until 1989 when it was sold to Bally's. Since then, Gasaway has managed several independent operations.

"This is not a place to feel intimidated," Gasaway said. "It is family focused and all accounts are in-house so we can work with you. People can feel comfortable in this place."

Ninety-nine percent of all membership comes through referrals, he said. Currently, Fayette Family Fitness has over 3,500 members.

"We will meet any of our competitors prices," Gasaway said. "We have three different membership plans under $30 a month."

Members can pay monthly on three-month, six-month, and yearly plans. There is also a lifetime renewable plan, that allows members to renew every year at the same original cost. Plans generally range from $24-$48.

Fayette Family Fitness is open Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday from 5 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m.

For more information, call Gasaway at 770-461-9962.

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