Columbus fitness center now under new ownership

COLUMBUS — My Gym and Fitness Center in Columbus has a new owner, but many members will already know her by name.

Jennifer Fisher took over ownership of the county’s only 24/7 gym at the end of last week.

She bought the gym from previous owners Tracy and Jim Becker, who started the fitness center in November 2013.

“When I moved here, I found there was a need in the community for a 24-hour gym,” Tracy said. “I was used to going to an Anytime Fitness where I was from, and I felt it would fill a void and be a way to get to know the community.”

Fisher has been working at My Gym since December 2015.

“She’s going to do a great job,” Baker said of Fisher. “This is her passion, and it always has been. From the minute she started working here, I knew she was in the right spot. It’s just a natural transition for us, and is very seamless.”

Fisher is from Columbus, and graduated from Polk County High School in 1999. She later graduated from University of South Carolina Upstate, where she majored in corporate fitness.

Fisher has always been an avid runner, starting with indoor-and-outdoor track and cross-country in high school. She recently placed first overall at this year’s Ache Around the Lake, a benefit at Lake Lanier for St. Luke’s Hospital.

After working at My Gym for almost three years, Fisher said she wanted to take it over for the community.

My Gym is unique in the area in that it allows members to visit 24 hours a day, using a key fob to enter during unstaffed hours.

The gym has free weights, circuit training equipment and Life Fitness cardio machines with personal television. The gym also offers yoga and TRX classes, as well as personal training with Fisher.

Fisher said Becker is the reason the gym currently has such a great membership, and she wants to continue what Becker started.

“I would like to add more classes in the future,” Fisher said. “I plan to talk with the members and see how they want the gym to grow.

“I would also like to thank the customers, the Beckers, First Citizen of Columbus, Brady Insurance, Andy Haynes and John Wilkins for making this possible.”

My Gym is located in the Food Lion shopping center in Columbus, at 250 W. Mills St. More information about the gym can be found on Facebook or by calling 828-894-0204.