'HITTING' THE GYM
'HITTING' THE GYM
SWEAT LIKE A-ROD AT YANKEE HEALTH CLUBS
By HOLLY M. SANDERS
April 1, 2007 -- You may not be able to swing like Derek Jeter, but starting next year at least you can work out like him.
Fans of Jeter and the New York Yankees will soon be able to huff and puff at one of three planned Yankees-themed 24 Hour Fitness clubs slated to open in the city starting in 2008, The Post has learned.
The Bronx Bombers and the national fitness chain are expected to announce as soon as tomorrow a 10-year deal to bring the Yankees brand directly to fitness buffs.
The deal is said to be worth at least $10 million. Potential gym locations are being scouted.
The gyms will be decked out in Yankee memorabilia and pinstripes and may include batting cages and sliding areas to mirror the game as closely as possible, a fitness-center executive told The Post.
The fitness chain also hopes to reach an agreement with the team to let members watch game highlights on TV while they use treadmills and elliptical trainers.
"As we go forward, we will design the clubs with them," said Brad Fogel, chief financial officer of 24 Hour Fitness. "We want people to feel like they're in Yankee land."
Although the details are still being worked out, Fogel said the membership cost will be competitive with places like New York Sports Club, where fees range from $79 to $89 a month.
"We expect the Yankees and 24 Hour Fitness to become synonymous - this season and in the future - as we relocate into the new Yankee Stadium," Michael Tusiani, the team's senior vice presi dent of corporate sales and sponsorships, said.
24 Hour Fitness is one of the biggest health club chains in the nation but doesn't have a presence in New York City. The expected deal will also give 24 Hour Fitness a presence at Yankee Stadium and at the new ballpark slated to open in 2009.
The fitness chain, based in San Ramon, Calif., just completed renovating the Yankee workout facilities and will staff it with seven trainers.
The players will get their first glimpse of the renovated fitness center today when they arrive for a workout at the Stadium and are told about the deal for Yankees gyms.
24 Hour Fitness will also create a fitness center at the team's spring training facility in Tampa, Fla.
While the Yankees deal is the first of its kind with a pro team, 24 Hour Fitness has opened signature clubs with star athletes such as Andre Agassi, Magic Johnson and Lance Armstrong. The company is also a sponsor of the Olympics and has set up training centers for the U.S. Olympic team.
holly.sanders@nypost.com
Copyright 2007 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
SWEAT LIKE A-ROD AT YANKEE HEALTH CLUBS
By HOLLY M. SANDERS
April 1, 2007 -- You may not be able to swing like Derek Jeter, but starting next year at least you can work out like him.
Fans of Jeter and the New York Yankees will soon be able to huff and puff at one of three planned Yankees-themed 24 Hour Fitness clubs slated to open in the city starting in 2008, The Post has learned.
The Bronx Bombers and the national fitness chain are expected to announce as soon as tomorrow a 10-year deal to bring the Yankees brand directly to fitness buffs.
The deal is said to be worth at least $10 million. Potential gym locations are being scouted.
The gyms will be decked out in Yankee memorabilia and pinstripes and may include batting cages and sliding areas to mirror the game as closely as possible, a fitness-center executive told The Post.
The fitness chain also hopes to reach an agreement with the team to let members watch game highlights on TV while they use treadmills and elliptical trainers.
"As we go forward, we will design the clubs with them," said Brad Fogel, chief financial officer of 24 Hour Fitness. "We want people to feel like they're in Yankee land."
Although the details are still being worked out, Fogel said the membership cost will be competitive with places like New York Sports Club, where fees range from $79 to $89 a month.
"We expect the Yankees and 24 Hour Fitness to become synonymous - this season and in the future - as we relocate into the new Yankee Stadium," Michael Tusiani, the team's senior vice presi dent of corporate sales and sponsorships, said.
24 Hour Fitness is one of the biggest health club chains in the nation but doesn't have a presence in New York City. The expected deal will also give 24 Hour Fitness a presence at Yankee Stadium and at the new ballpark slated to open in 2009.
The fitness chain, based in San Ramon, Calif., just completed renovating the Yankee workout facilities and will staff it with seven trainers.
The players will get their first glimpse of the renovated fitness center today when they arrive for a workout at the Stadium and are told about the deal for Yankees gyms.
24 Hour Fitness will also create a fitness center at the team's spring training facility in Tampa, Fla.
While the Yankees deal is the first of its kind with a pro team, 24 Hour Fitness has opened signature clubs with star athletes such as Andre Agassi, Magic Johnson and Lance Armstrong. The company is also a sponsor of the Olympics and has set up training centers for the U.S. Olympic team.
holly.sanders@nypost.com
Copyright 2007 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
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