A popular Bethesda gym is planning an expansion with a move to a bigger space next door.
Fitness First is drawing up plans for the former Columbia Bank space in the same 7900 Wisconsin Avenue building it’s at now, according to President and CEO Peter Harvey.
The gym is the only tenant left in the building, which has been approved for a 17-story, 475-unit apartment building from Chevy Chase-based developer JBG. That, and the fact the Bethesda location was the only Fitness First excluded from the company’s sale to Gold’s Gym in 2013, had rumors flying that the gym might close.
Last year, Fitness First Director of Operations Amy DiPasquale said JBG signed an agreement to extend the gym’s lease through Oct. 31, 2019. County planners have said the high-rise apartment project is on hold.
And on Friday, Harvey said signs announcing an expansion are true.
“Hopefully, this will dispel some of the rumors of us leaving,” Harvey said. “I think we’ve already kind of done that, having stayed there the last two years.”
Harvey said the move to the former bank is for more space. He said the Bethesda gym’s membership has expanded since the rest of the Fitness First locations were sold to Gold’s Gym.
“It gets a little bit crowded down there, especially on Monday and Tuesday nights,” Harvey said. “That’s really a good thing, but we need more space.”
Harvey didn’t have a date for the expansion, but did say he anticipates it’ll take some time to go through permitting and build-out.
On June 25, Fitness First’s two-year non-compete agreement with Gold’s Gym expires and Harvey expects planning to pick up over the summer.
The space will allow for more exercise machines, more cardio equipment and potentially, Harvey said, a wider selection of specialty classes.
