Despite Adversity, Personal Trainer to Open Gym

Starting a business from scratch during the worst economic climate in 80 years could be a nightmare.

But for Long Valley native Zach Gibbon, it’s a dream, and one he intends to fulfill.

Gibbon, a personal trainer since 2005, has dreamed of starting his own fitness facility since graduating Lock Haven University with a degree in health and physical education, and a minor in business.

A 2001 graduate, he wants to serve the community he grew up in, he said.

“You’ve got Gold’s [Gym] in Hackettstown and Flanders, but there’s nothing south of here,” Gibbon said. “We looked around to see what was available in Long Valley, Califon, Clinton—there’s nothing out there. Ever since Xercise in Chester closed, people in this area have had nowhere to go.”

Gibbon, who works with clients in their homes as well as at the area’s Gold’s Gyms, has full support of the Gold's franchise’s owner, Rob Noonan.

“Gold’s has been awesome. [Noonan] has been really supportive of me and what I’m doing,” Gibbon said. “We’re offering a different climate here, and hopefully serving a new group of people, so I don’t think it’s direct competition.”

The climate Gibbon speaks of is vastly different from what many fitness centers offer now, he said.

The gym, located in the Valley Village Professional Center near the Studio of Long Valley, offers 6,000 square feet of indoor space and 1,200 square feet of outdoor fitness equipment.

“I hate working out indoors,” Gibbon said. “Weather permitting, we want people to be able to go outside if they want and train and workout there.”

The outdoor area offers equipment for what Gibbon calls “functional” and cross-fit training. Included is apparatus like kettle bells and training rope for unorthodox exercises.

“I want people to come here, pick up a weight and say, ‘this is a nice dumbbell,’” Gibbon said. “What we may lack in size for the facility, we’ll make up for with quality. It’s the worst feeling to use inferior equipment. Having the proper equipment makes your fitness goals more achievable.”

All of the equipment that will be used at Z.S. Fitness is state-of-the-art, Gibbon said. Cardio equipment like bikes and treadmills will have cable TV and Internet access for those who wish to use it while exercising.

“We’re offering a different feel,” Gibbon said. “The water fountain has a sensor that allows you to easily fill up your water bottle, the locker rooms will have digital locks on them so you feel safe leaving your things in there. We want people to enjoy their time here.”

For the community, by the community

Working as general contractor during the construction of Z.S. Fitness is Dan Masterson of Dan Masterson Carpentry. Masterson is a Long Valley resident, and employs primarily local workers.

“Everyone working in here is from the area,” Gibbon said. “Keeping everything local is part of this process. I want people to come here and enjoy working out here. I want this to be like a community center for Long Valley and the surrounding areas.”

Gibbon moved to Manhattan Beach, California two years ago, hoping to start his business there, but to no avail.

“It gets lonely real quick when you don’t have your friends or family around,” he said. “Starting a fitness business out there just wasn’t viable. So I came back to what was familiar—Long Valley.”

Tough times are best times

“I’ve been formulating a business plan since college for this,” said Gibbon, who acknowledged that his girlfriend Maureen Cullen has been a major driving force behind the new business. “She’s a smart cookie. She has a great business background and has been an enormous help.”

Gibbon said that despite the economy, now might be the best time to start a business like this.

“Equipment sellers haven’t been able to move anything because nobody’s spending money,” Gibbon said. “A lot of the items we’ve purchased and the moves we’ve made are cheaper than they used to be.”

Gibbon’s mother Debra, , set aside a trust fund for him and when they were young, he said.

“I’ve been able to use [the trust] to get this started, but I’ve also sold my house to help get this off the ground,” he said. “I’m putting all my eggs into one basket for this.”

Z.S. Fitness is scheduled to open on Nov. 15. Hours of operation will be 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

The facility will not require a long-term contract, Gibbon said. Members can join on a month-to-month basis for $69, or sign a year-long contract and pay $49 per month. A $100 initiation fee includes use of the gym’s locker and showering facilities, as well as admission to structured fitness classes.

The facility will offer a 10-person trained staff. Minors will be set up with a personal trainer for their first session to learn how to use the equipment, Gibbon said.

“We’re not going to be a faceless place like a lot of other gyms,” Gibbon said. “That’s why we went with the month-to-month contract. If you don’t like it here, that’s fine. And if something is going on in your personal life and you can’t pay the next month or you know you can’t use the gym for a while, talk to us. We’ll work with you.”

As Gibbon walks through his currently-under-construction facility in the heart of Long Valley, being worked on by five, six or seven people at a time, he smiles.

For him, this is a dream born out of years of hard work. But, as any personal trainer will tell his or her client, you don’t get anywhere without putting in your time.