Bonita rec center opens bigger gym

Jerry Kropp of Bonita Springs lifts weights at the new gym. He is thinking of switching his membership from the Bonita YMCA to the Recreational Center.

The Bonita Springs Recreational Center is seeing an increase in it’s membership thanks to the opening of a new gym.

“We have more members now and some of it is that people like the new gym. It’s much better than the old one,” said Patrick Lippy, of the Bonita Springs Recreational Center.

The new gym boasts three times the space of the old gym that was located in a small and cramped room.

“It’s great and such an improvement over the old one. There is just more space,” said Diane Mallow of Bonita Springs, who has been a member of the center for six years.

The new space includes more cardio machines, a freestyle weight machine and better placement of the equipment.

“We’ve added eight new pieces of equipment and it gives members a variety of ways to get an effective workout,” said Jeff Schroeder of Berry’s Barbell and Total Fitness, the company that set up the equipment for the center.

Schroeder was on hand during the gym’s official opening and showed members how to use some of the newer machines.

“There are 16 machines in all but the biggest thing is that everyone is extremely pleased because there is just more they can do,” said Schroeder, whose company has been in the area for 14 years.

The gym also has disinfectant wipes for patrons to clean the machines, a blood pressure machine and a scale to watch those pounds.

“I’ll be able to get a better workout now without a doubt,” said Paul Zizis of Bonita Springs.

Zizis was trying out the new dumbbells at the gym and was happy to have more space.

“There is more equipment and more space so less chance of accidents,” said Zizis, who used to work out at the old gym.

The center may also be seeing an increase in membership because Bonita Springs residents now buy their beach decals at the center.

“People walk in to buy the tickets and they see the new gym and start asking about pricing,” said Lippy, who has sold more than 200 decals.

Jerry Kropp of Bonita Springs walked into the building and liked what he saw.

“I like it. It’s the first time I come here but I got a one-day pass to try it out,” said Kropp, who was a member of the Bonita YMCA but is seriously considering getting a center membership. “I have to bring my wife to see it but it really like it.”