Retro Fitness Opens in Clark

Happy Hour is packed at 225 Terminal Avenue every day. Each old-school style barstool is full. But it’s not at a traditional bar, and beer isn’t being served. It’s the juice bar inside Retro Fitness – the newest workout facility in Clark.  

Some go to the happy hour before their workout. Some stop in just to say hi and grab a smoothie on their way home.

“It’s a community place,” says Warren De Stefano, who is also the co-owner of the Cranford location of the franchise. “We want this to be an entertainment gym, a place to go and hang out.”

De Stefano, along with Kenilworth resident Frank Natiello opened the 14,000-square-foot facility that boasts state-of-the-art equipment, a turf track for endurance training, a boxing center, tanning booths and its very own movie theater.

The idea is to make working out less of a chore and more entertaining, he says, so instead of seats, there are stadium treadmills so clients can run and watch at the same time.

Each cardio machine has a television attached and the bikes have Internet capabilities so patrons can post their progress on Facebook. 

“We didn’t want people to miss their shows,” says Chris Peterson, general manager. “They get everything we have to offer for just $19.99 a month.”

How does the gym keep the cost so low? They use digital trainers on video screens. Patrons have access to the top trainers in the country with exercise programs customized for different levels.

They pick a workout, ranging from yoga to Zumba, and go into a private room with a screen. The equipment is already in the room, and they follow the regiment from an instructor on the screen.

“We have the top trainers from the West Coast in our facility,” De Stefano says. “This way we don’t have to pay for trainers. That’s how we keep the membership fee so low.”

He says since the gym opened Dec. 15, the clientele has been growing and doesn't look like it will slow anytime soon.

Retro Fitness's proposal to build at this site wasn't without controversy. Though the application was originally rejected by the Clark Planning Board, the decision was overturned by Superior Court.

Greg Gorski switched from Bally’s Total Fitness on Central Avenue to Retro Fitness to save money. He says he found there wasn’t a decrease in quality just because there is a decrease in price.

“They have everything here,” Gorski told Patch. “Just join already.”

De Stefano says he has seen other local gyms adjust their prices to match Retro’s. “We’ve exposed the high-end gyms,” he says. “They are now competing with us.”

New members have access to consultants commissioned from an outside vendor, and each get a complimentary massage, chiropractic consultation and fitness evaluation. Members have access to all equipment, including kettle bell weights, ab coasters and free weights.

A membership at one Retro Fitness grants access to every Retro throughout the country. And it’s easy to spot a Retro – with bright red and yellow singage, they're hard to miss.

De Stefano says the color is meant to make the gym lively after hearing complaints of stagnant, dark gyms. Plus, it makes cleaning easier, which is a huge priority for him.

“You can see dirt on yellow,” De Stefano says. “We did that on purpose. We want to keep this place as clean as possible.”

Peterson says an alarm goes off every 20 minutes and the staff wipes down the gym equipment to maintain cleanliness. 

Peterson says the location has attracted most of its clientele because of its prime location near several adjacent towns, including Westfield, Cranford and Garwood. He says there is a Retro Fitness facility every five to six miles in an attempt to foster the community feel.

“If you’re from Kenilworth, you’ll go to a different Retro,” Peterson says. "This way it’s the same people from the same area. It’s really a community gym.”