Bree Perry regularly comes to campus to workout at Frog’s Fitness, Cal State Long Beach’s other gymnasium.
“It feels like a family, you get to know people,” said Perry, a CSULB alumna and Long Beach resident. “When you walk in, you know the personal trainers, you know the front desk, you know all the members — it’s a really fun place to go.”
Perry is one of the many other local residents who continue to use Frog’s Fitness, a gym located inside the Walter Pyramid, despite the arrival of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Membership at Frog’s Fitness has decreased a bit, but not a sizable amount, according to general manager Ayala Donlin.
Donlin said one of the main reasons for Frog’s Fitness’ survival is that two-thirds of its membership is community-based. Currently, only students, staff, alumni or their affiliates, like a spouse or child, may use the recreation center, said Christina Esparza, communications coordinator for Associated Students Inc.
Donlin also pointed out that there are some benefits from being a smaller gym.
“There’s not a long wait for cardio machines here and the weight area is not crowded and we like to keep every area clean,” she said.
Donlin added that the community atmosphere of Frog’s Fitness makes the gym stand out — something that a large facility, like the recreation center, may not be able to do. Community members also enjoy the programs that Frog’s Fitness offers.
“I’ve been a member since they opened it,” Long Beach local Barbra Goertner said. “I come back for the Yoga class.”
Although community membership is steady, Frog’s Fitness implements a retention program to keep its members around.
“We send out e-mails and have a program called the Power Program, which tracks visits to clubs, provides incentives for going to the clubs, health and fitness recommendations and a rewards program,” Donlin said. “But most of our new members are generated through word of mouth and referrals.”
The lease for Frog’s Fitness is up next year, but Donlin and Esparza said they expect the gym to continue to stay open.
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