Fitness comes to town

BY TARA BOZICK

(434) 791-7981

CHATHAM — Residents of central Pittsylvania County say they had to travel out of town to use a gym or fitness center before Fitness First of Chatham opened Oct. 1.

Two months ago, Larry Brumfield of Blairs started renovating the former gym behind Goodwill in Tightsqueeze Plaza off U.S. Route 29.

“It was a project,” Brumfield said. “I’ve had to do a ton, ton of work.”

Holes furnished the walls, the color looked “terrible” and the carpet was filthy, he added. He renovated the bathrooms, splashed on some paint and replaced the carpet.

The facility houses weight-training equipment that Brumfield built, as he taught himself welding and fabricating in the past.

“I’ve got the best equipment in town, second to none,” he added.

Brumfield opened his first gym, also called Fitness First, on Orphanage Road near Danville while he was working as a truck driver for Consolidated Freightways, which has since gone out of business.

He opened the Chatham facility because a lot of his members told him they didn’t want to make the drive out of town to work out. So, all members can use any Fitness First facility.

Brumfield signed up 50 new members so far.

Owning fitness centers allows Brumfield to focus on his passion.

Before the truck-driving job, Brumfield worked out “religiously” while working at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. He would work out four to six days a week for an hour and a half each time.

“I was very enthused and motivated,” he said. “I liked it.”

Brumfield hopes all residents find a way to exercise for their health. He sees plenty of strong, athletic men and women come into his gym.

Melissa Huffman of Gretna saw the gym’s new look on Tuesday morning during the gym’s meet-and-greet. She had been a member of the former Gold’s Gym there years ago.

“It’s roomy. It’s clean,” she said, surprised. “It’s really nice.”

She plans on joining the fitness facility now and hopes to come three to four days a week. Huffman had to drive to Danville or Lynchburg to visit a gym in the past.

That’s hard when she has a 7-year-old daughter at home, but she looks forward to working out for a little fun.

Ken Bowman, director of Pittsylvania County’s Office of Economic Development, signed up as a member Tuesday morning. He hopes to work out three days a week so he can continue eating how he wants.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for everyone,” Bowman said. “It gives them a resource close by where they don’t have to travel to another facility.”

Bozick is a staff writer for the Danville Register & Bee.