Gym Floor Data / Gym spotlight
Why a Tennessee couple spent $350,000 refitting a 15-year-old gym
Most gym stories are about openings. This one is about an owner couple who, fifteen years in, decided the gym they already had deserved a serious second investment.
John and Gina Heifner own the Workout Anytime franchise gym in Powell, Tennessee. In 2026 they put about $350,000 into refitting the roughly 10,000 sq ft club: floors, lighting, ceilings, walls, bathrooms and locker rooms. Walls came out to open up the floor. The gym has more than 2,500 members.
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| Gym | Workout Anytime Powell (locally owned franchise) |
| Location | 3547 W Emory Rd, Powell, Tennessee |
| Owners | John and Gina Heifner |
| Size | About 10,000 sq ft |
| Open | 15 years |
| Members | More than 2,500 |
| Refit | About $350,000, May to late July 2026 |
Who runs the Powell gym?
The Heifners are both former registered nurses and were among the early owners in the Workout Anytime system. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that the Powell club is the longest-running of the brand's 200-plus locations. The couple also own a second club in nearby Halls.
What did the $350,000 pay for?
Mostly the building itself: new flooring, lighting and ceilings, rebuilt bathrooms and locker rooms, and wall work. The change members will notice most is the layout. Interior walls were removed so the floor reads as one open room.
Why refit a gym that was already full?
The owners had just signed on for another ten years with the franchise, and the refit followed from that commitment. There is also a loyalty argument. About 1,000 of the gym's members have belonged for a decade or more, according to the same report. A refit is one way of telling those people the place is not coasting.
What can other owners take from this?
- A refit is the cheapest moment to fix your layout. With walls down and the floor up, moving equipment costs almost nothing extra. Decide where things go from how the floor is used, before the new flooring goes down.
- Long-standing members have habits. A thousand ten-year members know exactly which rack and which treadmill they like. Know what they use before you move it.
- Ask members what they want, then check it against what they use. The Heifners plan to let members suggest the design of a new premium room. That builds goodwill. Pair it with usage, because what people ask for and what they use are not always the same.
These are general points for owners. We have not measured this gym and make no claim about its floor.
About this spotlight
Workout Anytime Powell is not a customer of Gym Floor Data and did not pay for or request this profile. It is based on reporting by the Knoxville News Sentinel (September 2026) and the club's own web page. We did not interview the owners. If you run this gym and want to add a comment or correct something, contact us and we will update the page.
Questions owners ask
When is the right time to change the layout of a gym?
During a refit, when walls and flooring are already being changed and moving equipment adds little cost. Outside a refit, start with moves that cost nothing, such as shifting idle pieces out of the busiest area.
How much does a gym renovation cost?
It depends on size and scope. This refit of a roughly 10,000 sq ft gym was reported at about $350,000 and covered flooring, lighting, ceilings, walls, bathrooms and locker rooms.