NY luxury fitness company expands to Tampa, estimates 400 new jobs

A new gym may be popping up on a block near you, which may mean good things for Tampa Bay's health. Blink Fitness, which promotes the emotional benefits of working out as opposed to just the physical, plans to open up to 20 gyms in the area.

The company currently has over 50 locations open or in development in the New York metro market, and President of Blink Fitness, Todd Magazine, now has his sights set on Tampa.

“There’s an opportunity in the market to fill a need for a luxury fitness experience at an affordable price starting at $15 per month for a membership," Magazine says. "Given our focus on the emotional benefits of working out versus strictly the physical benefits of exercise, we have an opportunity to distinguish our brand in Tampa.”

Magazine goes on to explain how his company is unique in its approach to fitness. He cites the use of certain colors that he says scientifically have been proven to improve one's mood, and the selection of music for motivation.

“We have created empowerment campaigns for our members, such as 'Monday without Mirrors,' in which we cover all the mirrors in the gym to stress the importance of mood above muscle," he says. 

He expects this approach to fitness to change the fitness landscape in the Tampa Bay region by negating the theory that gyms are only for fit, beautiful people.

“At Blink, we believe that exercise isn’t just about looking good; it’s also about how it makes you feel," he says. "We hope to spread that idea within the Tampa area and empower residents to exercise to both feel and look good.”

With up to 20 gyms opening, Magazine says he anticipates his company will create up to 400 local jobs in addition to more than $20 million in local new business investments.

“Our franchising initiative in Tampa is just underway, and we are looking to award the opportunity to qualified individuals and groups who can open one or multiple locations throughout the region,” he says. “The types of locations where Blink Fitness will perform well include corporate and residential high-rises, strip malls and standalone buildings in both urban and suburban markets.”