Bill Rush

Staff Photo by Dan Henry Arlene Phipps, left, works out as fitness trainer Ashley Coulter counts during an exercise circuit at the Rush Fitness Complex off of Lee Highway on Thursday. The Rush and other fitness centers in the area have experienced a significant increase in business despite the poor economy.

When Arlene Phipps tells her personal trainer she’s tired, she’s not going to get any sympathy.

Instead, Rush personal trainer Ashley Coulter responds, “Good. You’re working out, you should be tired.”

That kind of motivation was just what Ms. Phipps was looking for when she signed up for personal training at the Rush. And for her, it’s already working. She’s lost five pounds and one dress size, and is already on her way to meeting her goal.

“It just made all the difference in the world having a personal trainer,” Ms. Phipps said. “She and I have fun, even though sometimes when I’m working out I think, ‘Why did I do this?’”

When she decided to improve her health, Ms. Phipps knew she wanted more than just a place to work out, and she’s not alone. As many Americans begin to make health and fitness a priority, they are looking for something more than just a treadmill.

In Chattanooga, they can find fitness options on almost every corner as health centers carve out their own niches in a highly competitive industry. From centers that specialize in one-on-one training to facilities with a social approach to working out, the growing population of fitness-minded people in Chattanooga has produced an abundance of health clubs offering something for everyone.

“Health is probably right there at the top of most people’s priorities in their life. When they feel good about themselves both from a mental, spiritual and physical perspective, then other parts of their lives tend to be better,” said Bill Rush, project director for the Activate America program of the YMCA, which encourages cultural changes to foster healthy lifestyles. “Total well-being is really a key focus for a lot of individuals.”

As Americans focus on total well-being, health clubs are taking notice. Today’s fitness center is more than just a place to walk on the treadmill. Nutritional counseling, specialized training, childcare and even a shot at a social life are part of the life

Larry Gurney, founder of the Knoxville-based Rush Fitness Center, said some health clubs have become the new nightclubs, providing people with a way to meet others with similar interests. The five-year-old company is currently in a growth mode, with new centers opening in the coming year in South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

“Our industry is booming because I don’t think there’s many people out there that can’t probably look at themselves and say, ‘Do I believe I need to exercise?’” Mr. Gurney said.

Fitness is on everyone’s minds, he said.

Randy Webb has been in the fitness industry for 45 years, teaching classes, providing nutritional counseling and offering one-on-one personal training. Mr. Webb, owner of Futur/Fit Inc., said he has seen countless trends in the industry over the years.

“I’ve seen a lot of fads come and go,” he said.

While some people like Ms. Phipps prefer the environment in a place like the Rush, Mr. Webb offers something a little different. He doesn’t use any machines, and instead favors old-school methods using free-weights and traditional cardiovascular workouts.

“I don’t have to have $2 million worth of equipment to give somebody a workout. I can put you on the floor, out in the parking lot or in a ballfield or a park somewhere and we can work you into a lather,” he said.

There are still other options for working out, such as the locally-owned Sports Barn, where employees foster a comfortable, nonthreatening environment, said managing partner David Brock. Chattanooga has three Sports Barn locations, each with a different atmosphere. The downtown location is more for professionals seeking a place to exercise on their lunch breaks, while the Hixson facility is more like a country club, with opportunities for working out and socializing.

The Sports Barn ecently launched an initiative to tap into the total wellness approach people like Ms. Phipps are looking for. The Sports Barn weight management program, which started in May, combines working out with a nutrition plan in a complete package.

“We need to be more involved — if you want us to be — in your health and really achieving your goals, in terms of fitness, but also in terms of weight loss and nutritional health,” Mr. Brock said.