East Side Fitness Projects November 1 Opening for Springfield Avenue Gym

Bryan Crowell looks like he knows what he's talking about.

Crowell, who will open East Side Fitness at 1865 Springfield Avenue this November, has been working out with weights since he was 12 and it shows. But Crowell is quick to point out that East Side Fitness will be much more than weight training: the 6,500 square foot facility will feature all new equipment for free weights, plus cardio and circuit training. East Side will provide space for do-it-yourself workouts or personal training sessions. Also, classes will cover everything from zumba to possibly capoeira.

But East Side Fitness will avoid yoga and pilates, in deference to Shakti Yoga and Living Arts and Clain Pilates Plus, its near neighbors on this stretch of Springfield Avenue near Yale Street. In addition, Crowell feels that East Side will not compete directly with The Gym on Springfield above HLS Juice Bar since The Gym is a smaller, more specialized gym focused on personal training sessions.

Nonetheless, Crowell and his business partner and father Wayne Crowell (the former Maplewood fire chief) have met with the owners of the surrounding fitness businesses to extend a friendly hand and work together for promotion. Has the diplomacy worked? Ann Winkler at Shakti says, "It [East Side Fitness] adds more to the block! We've got this whole wellness thing going on here."

Why Springfield Avenue?

"That's more my dad," said Bryan Crowell."He does real estate and he knows about location. He said we needed a family gym on Springfield Avenue." Crowell pointed out that the closest fitness club is Diamond Gym on Irvington Avenue which is more of a male-oriented, weightlifters gym.

East Side is definitely looking to attract mothers as well as commuters. Crowell is working to provide 60 to 90 minutes of childcare each morning and evening so that moms can work out.

In addition, the 5 a.m. weekday opening time will allow commuters to come, work out, take a shower and then catch the nearby jitney to the train station. The separate men's and women's locker rooms are the same size and each include granite counter tops, two showers, two stalls and 35 lockers.

Crowell and East Side Fitness President Ron Glass already have 17 members signed up (as of October 7). The monthly rate is $29.95 for an annual membership. Month-to-month is $39.95.

The Crowells are completely renovating the building. When Patch visited, dry wall had been hung and a new floor was being installed. All the training equipment will be brand new. The exterior side wall has been repainted and new signage will grace the front facade.

With the parking lot currently striped for 14 spaces, parking is Crowell's only concern. But Crowell feels that more cars can be accommodated. Many locals expressing interest have talked to Crowell about their ability to walk to his gym. In addition, East Side Gym is going to encourage cycling and provide a space for bicycle lock-up.

The Web site is not yet up and running but when it is the URL will be eastsidefitnessnj.com. Hours of operation will be 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 973.327.2239.