Old Gym Undergoes Major Remodeling

The “new ownership” sign on the side of the old Spa Fitness on 41^st Street isn’t easy to spot behind the palms. But inside the two-story Capitola fitness club, drastic changes are afoot.

In-Shape Health Clubs of Stockton bought the club in August, changing its name to In-Shape Capitola, and it has started a $2.5 million remodeling that will take place over the next year or more.

For starters, the club has replaced its free weights, put in new cardio equipment and resistance machines, and added new group classes. The major work, however, will be done in the locker rooms and Kids Club.

“The locker rooms are a top priority,” General Manager Josh Calderon said last week. “Nothing has been done in there for the last 30 years.”

Also on the overhaul list are the upstairs exercise room, lobby and annex, which houses more exercise equipment in a building next door, near New Leaf Market. During the renovation, both buildings will stay open for members.

Harry and Anna Jenkins opened the first Spa Fitness in 1973 next to Home Depot. In 1985, the 30,000-square-foot club next to the Begonia Plaza opened, along with its 11,000-square-foot annex. Five years ago, Spa Fitness built a 300-space parking garage behind the club.

The 41^st Avenue club has three pools—an outdoor lap pool, a (104-degree) hot tub and a (55-degree) cold plunge—which won’t be changed, except for some pump work. The steam and sauna rooms will be rebuilt, Calderon said.

For the Kids Club, some walls will be taken down to enlarge the area, and rubber floors will be installed outside. Inside, kids will get a Nintendo Wii for exercising to Wii Fit Plus.  

So far, only one person’s complaint about the changes has surfaced on Yelp. 

“I don't know if their management didn't do their market research on clubs in SC County, but you are probably the only one that requires a long-term contract,” Nancy P. of Aptos posted on Yelp. 

Calderon said membership information is proprietary and wouldn’t give up the cost of enrollment or monthly rates, except to say In-Shape’s prices are competitive. In some cases, depending on their contracts, members will pay more with the new ownership, he said, but others will pay less, especially because members are no longer charged extra fees for classes.

“At first, members were skeptical, I think, because a lot of people in the area are not aware of In-Shape Health Clubs,” Calderon said. “But they’ve warmed up to us, and the members are excited to have us here.”

The club hands newcomers seven-day guess passes and offers a free hourlong session with a personal trainer with every new membership. More than 80 classes fill the club calendar, from yoga to aqua aerobics to Zumba.

“We design programs to get members to achieve their goals,” Calderon said. “We’re all about results.”

In-Shape Health Clubs, a family-owned company based in Stockton, has 49 clubs in California, including Monterey, Salinas, Pacific Grove and Carmel.

In-Shape Capitola (formerly Spa Fitness)

1100-1200 41^st Ave., Capitola

831-824-7609