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With New Year’s not far behind us, I, like most of the population, have decided that this is the year to get in shape, be fit and be healthy. In my quest for this seemingly “every-year” resolution, I’ve spent quite a good deal of time at my local fitness center. Granted, I go to the YMCA which is within a mile of where I live and work, but being in this fitness frame of mind, I’ve been wondering about gym names and the types that exist. Some top of mind examples include:
Namesake:
• Gold’s Gym – The largest chain of co-ed gyms; started in 1965 by Joe Gold in Venice, California.
Association:
• YMCA – Young Men’s Christian Association – Founded in 1844 in London as an organization dedicated to providing prayer and bible study to men living in unsafe conditions.
• YWCA – Young Women’s Christian Association – Independent from the YMCA, it originated in 1855 as a social and spiritual support system for young British Women.
• Town Sports International (TSI) – owns and operates New York Sports Club, Philadelphia, Washington and Boston Sports Clubs.
Arbitrary:
• Bally Total Fitness – Can be traced back to the early 1930s beginning with a manufacturing company that sold Ballyhoo pinball machines, named after a popular magazine at the time.
Suggestive/Associative:
• Peak Fitness – Is assumed to be named after the concept of reaching your peak performance and obtaining optimal fitness results.
• Curves – Founded in 1932 with a focus on circuit training designed specifically for women.
• Crunch – Originated in New York as non-traditional, fun approach to making exercise fun.
Descriptive:
• Anytime Fitness and Snap 24 – Key messages are all about having easy, convenient, and all day access.
What gym do you belong to?
By: Kelly Wilson
