Four ex-sports members of HealthClub buy property and start their own gym

What do you do when your favorite gym closes? Simply, buy a property with a bunch of friends and move the whole lot to the new location. This plan was conceived by friends Rick, Kalle, Mark and Frans.

The closure of SnowWorld Healthclub has caused quite a stir in Zoetermeer. Athletes miss their weekly outing, social contact and relaxation in the sauna. This gave the four ex-sports members Rick, Kalle, Mark and Frans the idea to set up a Healthclub 2.0. “The event location property was for sale. The lack of the gym is so great for many athletes that we have decided to buy this together.”

Drinking coffee every week

Rick explains: “Especially the older athletes fall between two stools. The social aspect is especially lacking. Keeping active is good, but drinking coffee with your club members every week might be even more important. Some have trained with this club for 25 years. Five weeks before closing, we were only told that the doors would close permanently. About 1,500 people were suddenly on the street. The trainers were also in shock.”

New gyms and a sauna

The four Zoetermeerders decided to go for a restart. “We are setting up a new Health Club together with the trainers at the time. We want to create the same cosiness and living room atmosphere. The range of classes will also remain the same.”

But first the building needs to be renovated. Gyms, equipment and a restaurant area are in the plan. And that sauna, what about that? “The new location is slightly smaller than we are used to. The ambition is to build a wellness complex on the roof. Because yes, that sauna just has to come.”

Private group

The renovation will take several months. The new owners will keep their followers informed via the Facebook group Former members SnowWorld Healthclub† As a member of the group you can follow all posts about Healthclub 2.0.