Health & Fitness

Medford Gym First Of 7 Planned For Area

Medford native Steve Stabile, who expects to open a gym on Salem Street this fall, has ambitious goals for the next several years.

MEDFORD, MA – The man behind an upcoming gym on Salem Street wants to open several more in the area in the coming years. Medford native Steve Stabile will open Blink Fitness' first location north of Boston at the former MG Fitness, 465 Salem St., in October.

Stabile plans to open six more over the next few years, according to the company, which did not specify where the gyms would be located. An entrepreneur for nearly 30 years, Stabile started franchising in 2005 with Fitness Together and Elements Massage.

He is one of the first franchisees to sign with Blink Fitness.

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"The Boston market is prime for the premium gym experience that Blink delivers to their members," Stabile said. "I’m thrilled to be one step closer to bringing Blink’s revolutionary Mood Above Muscle™ philosophy to my childhood hometown of Medford – a community that has significant meaning to my personal and professional life."

The Salem Street space will be renovated to feature new floors, locker rooms and fitness equipment and improved heating and air conditioning systems. Blink Fitness also recently announced development deals in Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois.

Find out what's happening in Medfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Since its inception in 2011, Blink has opened more than 70 gyms in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and California. It has over 50 franchise locations in various stages of development across the country, and plans to surpass 300 over the next five years.

The gym is based on a philosophy of "Mood Above Muscle," which highlights the positive feelings you get from exercise over the physical benefits. This includes a focus on modern and colorful design, customer service, cleanliness, energizing music and confidence-boosting training programs.

"Steve has been quick in the process to introduce Blink Fitness to his communities and his enthusiasm for the brand is spreading rapidly," Todd Magazine, president of Blink Fitness, said in a statement. "It is because of his and others’ excitement that we have been able to grow steadily and it is that passion from our franchisees and partners that will continue to propel the brand moving forward."

Image Credit: Fotolia/AP Images

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