A dream several years in the making has become a reality for Warren residents with the opening of Jacks Body Shop and Fitness, giving the community another opportunity to focus on health, wellness and personal fitness close to home.
Located at 709 North Myrtle Street, Jacks Body Shop and Fitness officially opened Oct. 3. The gym is owned by Matt Cotton and Season Nichols of Monticello, who also operate All Time Fitness in Monticello. Helping bring the new facility to Warren is Greg Morman, a Warren native and longtime friend of the owners who saw an opportunity to bring something new to his hometown.
According to Morman, the idea of opening a gym in Warren had been a dream for approximately three to four years. The challenge was finding the right location.
Cotton and Nichols had purchased gym equipment and needed somewhere to store it. When the former Mac’s Body and Glass building became available, an opportunity presented itself. What began as a place to store equipment eventually developed into something much bigger: a convenient fitness facility where residents could work toward their health goals without having to leave town.
“We wanted a place that was close for everyone in town and make it convenient,” Morman said.
Convenience is at the heart of the facility, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members can work out before heading to work, during lunch breaks, after work or whenever their schedules allow. Access is available through a paid membership using the GymMaster app, with several membership options, including monthly memberships and 12-month contracts. Student rates also are available.
The gym is equipped with a variety of fitness options, including spin bikes, machine weights, cardio equipment, stretching stations, plate-loaded machines, turf, free weights and dumbbells.
For those who need additional guidance, certified personal trainer Tony Cox is available to help members develop individualized fitness goals. Services include assistance with building muscle and strength, improving overall fitness, losing weight and receiving nutritional support.
Morman said the owners have additional ideas for expanding the facility’s offerings. A possible spin class is in the works, and additional personal trainers may become available in the future.
“We have a lot envisioned for the future,” he said.
While the equipment and around-the-clock access provide plenty of opportunities for exercise, Morman said the greater purpose is to give Warren residents another resource for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“We want to add to Warren, not take away from anyone,” he said. “We want multiple places available for the individuals of our community to have a fit and healthy lifestyle. We want to try and serve the community the best we can.”
Morman also hopes the gym will be a welcoming place for people who may be hesitant about joining a fitness facility or unsure where to begin.
Their message to those considering taking that first step is simple: Don’t be nervous.
“Everyone has a starting point. Someone is always available to show you the right direction. We want you to feel at home here,” Morman said.
Assistance is available to help individuals become comfortable with the equipment and find their way around the facility.
Since opening, one of the most rewarding experiences for Morman has been seeing the community’s response. Hearing the excitement from people who have visited the gym, witnessing their happiness and watching members begin accomplishing their personal goals have made the work worthwhile.
For Morman, however, the opening represents more than a new business. It is an opportunity to be part of something positive in the community he calls home.
“I am glad God has allowed me to be a part of something like this to give back to Warren,” he said. “It warms my heart.”
With its doors open around the clock and plans for continued growth, Jacks Body Shop and Fitness hopes to provide Warren residents with a welcoming place to begin, continue or renew their fitness journeys — one workout and one personal goal at a time.
