Name of business: Fit 4 Life Health+Fitness

Type of business: Gym

Location: 2373 W Main St. Suite B, Turlock

Hours: Monday to Friday mornings from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday to Friday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Weekday classes at 4 a.m., 5 a.m., 6 a.m. 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Weekend classes at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Contact information: (209) 497-7790 or 209fit4life@gmail.com

History of business:

Eric and Danielle Connolly have always had a passion for fitness. Eric had previously been a long-distance runner while Danielle regularly attended local bootcamps to help with knee troubles. After years of being gym attendees, the couple has taken the leap to open their own fitness space: Fit 4 Life Health+Fitness.

Taking over three business spaces within the Regal movie theater shopping center on West Main Street, Fit 4 Life is offering a unique concept to the way individuals train, which the team believes will make them stand out from other gyms.

“Over the years, going to all these different places to work out and meeting different people at each place, we noticed that there were similar complaints that people had,” Danielle explained. “Even at places where people seemed to really enjoy, there was always one or two things that could be improved on.”

Some of the things that the couple saw people struggling with was the lack of space within certain gyms, not enough weights for the number of people working out and a lack of guidance. These were also things that personal trainer Charles Lesley was noticing.

The Connolly couple met Lesley at the Camp Transformation Center in Modesto nearly six years ago. At that time, Lesley, a trainer with approximately 18 years of experience, was bouncing around the region training people at up to eight different gyms and bootcamps. With obvious trust from the community, there were a number of gyms trying to recruit him and his services full-time. It wasn’t until the Connollys came to him that he finally decided to dedicate himself to their new business endeavor of Fit 4 Life.

“I’ve always been training people and have worked with so many people over the years, I just thought that me opening my own gym was inevitable,” Lesley said. “I just felt that the time was right and it was with the right people. Danielle and Eric actually care about the people and we actually want people to be healthier and live longer. We have that common goal specifically, so I'm excited.”

Aside from Lesley, there are more than five other personal trainers that lead workouts at Fit 4 Life.

“With all our trainers, we are able to have a unique atmosphere and a family type of environment,” Danielle said.

The unique atmosphere is also due in part because of the art. In each room, there are large, graffiti-style murals with Fit 4 Life branding and words of encouragement.

“The art is definitely one of the first things people notice when they walk in,” said Eric. “Without Charles, none of this possible. Before we opened, he came in the early mornings and stayed till the late nights to get it all done.”

Danielle explained that the bright colors and large workout spaces can give attendees the extra boost they need prior to coming in for a workout.

The team believes that their membership plans will also be appealing to community members. The gym’s membership plans are offered on a month-to-month basis with no commitments. Individuals can also drop-in and pay for a day pass to work out without any contract or membership.

As part of their first few months of operations, Fit 4 Life is offering numerous promotions. For the Fourth of July, they will be hosting classes at 7 a.m., 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. that will be free for anyone over the age of five. Additionally, they are offering a year-round membership for $85 for students ages 11 to 24. College students are required to bring a transcript twice a year while children under the age of 16 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

“With Fit 4 Life, we want this to be a place where literally anyone can come and learn to be active, eat healthy and just have an all-around great experience,” Danielle said. “It’s something we’re really excited about and we can’t wait to really get more involved in the community.”

For the latest updates from Fit 4 Life, community members are encouraged to follow @Fit4Life_HealthAndFitness on Instagram and @Fit4LifeHealthPlusFitness on Facebook.