Business of the Week: Elan Fitness Center

230 Greenfield Ave., San Anselmo

(415) 485-1945; elanfitness.com

What do they offer?

Elan Fitness Center offers gym memberships, certified personal training, and over 175 classes a month, including body sculpt, Pilates, yoga, “just abs”, Zumba, and Qi Gong.     

“The goal of most of our members is improved strength, health and overall fitness,” said owner Joyce Brown.  

Besides a wide variety of exercise equipment, in the spacious 15,000 square foot structure Elan boasts an expansive light-filled group classroom, a cardiovascular room with bikes and treadmills, Kids’ Korner -- a fully staffed nursery and child care area, a fitness boutique, and spa services like skincare, microdermabrasion, facials, waxing and make-up applications offered by aesthetician Deidre O’Neill.   

“People come in who have never exercised in their lives,” said Brown. “Many are emotionally exhausted. After working out for a while, they have a whole different outlook and even carry themselves differently.”  

“The age range of our members is from twelve to endless,” said Brown. Elan is open seven days a week with street parking on Greenfield Avenue always available.

Who are they?

Elan Fitness Center is owned by Joyce Brown and managed by one of her daughters, LaRaye Houston.

The youngest of eight kids, Brown grew up in Ozark country, where she was surrounded by nature, lakes, and mountains. She has worked hard to establish the same kind of friendly and supportive small town community she knew there.

As a youngster taking dance and gymnastics, fitness was always part of her life. When Brown moved to Marin in 1979, she entered the corporate world doing condo conversions and managing a dental office. 

Her "a-ha moment" came after a long day of meetings at a convention when she donned a pair of shorts to go outside. Looking down at her legs she remembers exclaiming, “Yuck, what happened?” and then set about to make some changes.

“I wanted to create an environment where people could recharge, relax and rejuvenate,” she said. “Women, especially, give so much of themselves, it is easy to become depleted. When you get on a bike or walk on a treadmill until tears and endorphins kick in, or do yoga for deep breathing and meditation, mental and physical transformation begin to take place.”  

Brown, who has four kids, five grandkids, seven dogs and a cat, lives in Sonoma and is very active in dog rescue.  

How long have they been there?

In 1984, Brown had the opportunity to purchase a year-old gym on Greenfield Avenue. “I wanted to make it non-competitive, so people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and social backgrounds could come together under one roof,” said Brown. She succeeded. “There is a real family atmosphere here. Everybody looks out for each other. Members leave their ‘stuff’ outside.” 

Children have a good time in the safe environment of the staffed Kids’ Korner while their parent works out.  

Why are they business of the week?

Elan Fitness Center is extremely supportive of our community and donates to both public and private schools. They are part of the Zero Breast Cancer Hike. Gym members even helped with Millennium Park’s clean-up day.    

Brown is currently on the Board of San Anselmo’s  (she’s been past President and Chairman of the Board), and also serves on the San Anselmo Economic Development Board.  

Nationally, she has received several awards like Distinguished Business Women’s Award and, in Marin County, she has been one of the “one hundred most magnificent.” Elan Fitness has also been voted Business of the Year by the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce.  

Elan is sponsoring on Aug. 5. On Saturday, Aug. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Brown has organized an Upper Greenfield Avenue event (see invitation flyer in photo gallery next to this article) with prizes and giveaways, plus snacks and deals.

Brown shared a story about the benefits of working out at Elan. One of the members had a series of devastating issues. “She told me she hadn’t realized the emotional strength she had gained by becoming physically fit,” said Brown. “Through the trying times, she hadn’t felt self pity. She realized that working out is not only about becoming physically fit, but also about being emotionally fit. With a huge hug, she thanked me for providing such a supportive community at Elan.”  

Women support women at Elan Fitness Center, but men are welcome too.