Note the sky circular ceiling installation

After the visit to our new showcase club/spa in Alpharetta, I was excited at the exception level of quality offered in Atlanta gyms. The city had been lacking an option for women to experience a great workout/lifestyle club, a void which elements has nicely fulfilled.

On my second day visiting the clubs of Atlanta, I entered our newest elements for women gym in Suwanee, Georgia. Despite its odd name, Suwanee is a very up-and-coming section of the the Atlanta metro. Peppered with country clubs, upscale enclaves and homes, and great shopping, I was convinced that this was going to be a fantastic elements for women market.

Our club includes an elements gym, a BalanceD Diet Center inside, as well as Novo Physical Therapy nextdoor- making it a unique concept for wellness for women. We have been receiving many inquiries from physical therapists who would like to open their own gyms, to them (and to us) it seems a natural progression of the wellness and fitness process.

This gym, located in Suwanee Station, was designed by Kitzie Perez, our extremely talented, out of the box, value engineering thinking director of club design. Immediately after entering the nearly-complete facility, I phoned to Kitzie to congratulate her on what I believe is her best design to-date. Walking in, there are italian chandeliers hung in sequence in the curved entry… the club was able to maximize its location by adding a full glass back wall – with a beautiful view of a forest. Soothing, light, open…. unique. Each area of the club, from the cardio zone, to the circuit workout areas, to the multiple group fitness rooms had an exceptional design and a great feel.

Something to be seen is the locker rooms, with the “clouds” ceiling installation – series of lighted circular clouds built into the ceiling at varying heights. Personal Saunas…. Personal Dressing Rooms…. Massage…. It is unusual to find a locker room in a health club with such a luxurious feel and attitude.

Exteriors of several elements for women gyms in Miami and Atlanta

This week I traveled to Atlanta to meet with the elements for women franchisees and staff there. Atlanta was one of the original regional markets for elements, and we have recently announced 8 territories being reserved for development there.

I have been in and around the health club industry for over 15 years, and have toured thousands of club facilities across the world. I have to say (in my completely unbiased opinion) that the two new elements fitness clubs in Alpharetta and Suwanee Georgia I visited this week were the nicest, most sophisticated gyms I have ever seen.

Our 10,000 square foot facility in Alpharetta, elements at Ellard Place, was built with a full Moda Spa and Salon within it. The club is an entire one-stop shop for beauty, relaxation, and fitness, boasting luxury amenities such as personal saunas, facials, 1-on-1 yoga and pilates, members lounge, personal coaching and Smartcard workouts. The club was designed in a very sophisticated, upscale tone, with white being the primary color used. 30 feet ceilings, and floor to ceiling white drapes (30 feet!) make for an exceptionally dramatic space. The club is well laid out over 2 floors, and staffed with highly trained beauty experts and lifestyle consultants. It really has to be experienced to be believed.