Gold’s Gym of Ellijay
Neighborhood Merchants April 29, 2011
Gold’s Gym of Ellijay is located in the Spring Plaza shopping center on Industrial Boulevard. Though it has been in existence for about 20 years, its current owners, Mistel Langston and her husband Shawn, took over the business in 2006. I had the chance to sit down for an interview with manager, personal trainer, and fitness instructor Heidi George and general manager Diane Jones. They were happy to tell me all about what the gym has to offer.The gym’s main space is a large a co-ed weight training area that features over 20,000 lbs of free weights as well as a wide range of modern weight machines. In the center is a Cardio Theater Stage with 15 or so cardio machines and about 9 large-screen TVs that users can control and listen to on their own headphones. The gym’s Cycle Room features ten spin bikes, where Heidi told me they “turn the lights down low, crank up the music and burn about 900 calories in an hour”.
The Spin Room, along with the Group Fitness Room, is home to a wide variety of group fitness classes. As Heidi and Dianne explained, group classes are something the gym likes to emphasize. Classes are available for men and women of all ages and fitness levels.
The Group Fitness Room features Group Step, Mature Muscle, 30 Minute Stretch, Silver Sneakers (for older adults), Group Power, Group Kick, Group Centergy (yoga and Pilates), and the popular Zumba fitness program. Spin Room classes include Group Ride, Road Rage, and Endurance Spin.
The gym also offers a range of personal training services. Customers can save on these services by signing up with friends for group training packages.
More than just a great place to work out, the gym is highly involved in the Ellijay community. As Heidi explained, the company has been involved in local food drives, school supply drives, and has donated extensively to local school athletic departments. A very family-oriented company, the gym even has a community prayer list.
The staff at Ellijay’s Golds Gym is friendly and seems to be genuinely interested in helping members achieve their fitness goals. The gym is open Monday through Friday, from 8am-7pm and on Saturdays from 8:30am-2pm. 24-hour member access is available as well.