The owner of Evanston’s newest fitness center said at the facility’s official opening Wednesday that business so far has been better than expected.
“We’ve been delighted with the response,” said owner David Lanz as Orangetheory Fitness hosted Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, 6th Ward Alderman Mark Tendam, and representatives of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce for the traditional ribbon-cutting at the building at 2800 Central Street that previously housed a restaurant and a movie rental facility.
“Hopefully, this will be the last business to open here for the foreseeable future,” Lanz said.
Ald. Tendam and chamber executive Elaine Kemna-Irish hold the ribbon while Mayor Tisdahl and owner Lanz do the cutting at the facility's grand opening.
The center, which opened for business last month, had been the focus of discontent on the part of some nearby neighbors who were fearful of the impact the business would have on parking availability on nearby residential streets.
Lanz noted, however, that the fitness classes that are the hallmark of the company virtually all take place in the early morning hours and in late afternoon.
“In the middle of the day, when nearby businesses are most active,” he asserted, “we are pretty quiet here.”
Orangetheory is not a typical workout room where indivduals come to exercise on their own, Lanz explained. Instead, customers sign up for classes that are supervised by a trainer and utilize a variety of equipment, such as treadmills, rowing machines, and free weights designed to tone the body and increase energy.
