On Saturday, San Francisco-based LiveFit Gym will be opening up their fifth location at 403 Arguello, at the corner of Arguello Blvd. and Clement St. The new gym joins locations in the Mission, Hayes Valley, Nob Hill, and Polk Street.
Like its four other counterparts around the city, the new gym includes classes and bodywork treatments in addition to the gym experience. There is a large weight room, a cardio room, and personal and group trainer services. Customers can also sign up for exercise classes that range from yoga to bootcamp-style workouts with 20 people or fewer per class.
To remain approachable, LiveFit provides options for becoming a member, ranging from $77/month (basic gym membership) to $187/month (which includes gym membership, a chiropractic adjustment or acupuncture treatment per week, and a 1-hour massage each month). Customers also have the option of paying per session for the chiropractic, acupuncture and massage services.
The new LiveFit is housed in a space formerly inhabited by ballet, yoga, and dance studios during the last several decades.
Originally a Masonic temple, the building itself was the first to be built in the Richmond after the 1906 earthquake. Many of the plaques and details from the Masonic years were preserved when LiveFit took over the lease and began to restore and repaint the building.
This July, LiveFit is celebrating its 10th year in business. The gym was first started by San Francisco natives Dr. Milton and Katie O’Brien, and their son Patrick, the company's COO. After finding that many of his patients benefitted from exercise, massage and acupuncture, chiropractor Dr. O’Brien wanted to open a gym that provided more than exercise.
The O’Briens focus on local community, first opening up the gym to neighbors in the 94118 area through a flyer campaign earlier this month.
The main objective is “one membership at time,” says Patrick. The gym's philosophy is to bring boutique, high-end style to fitness while remaining approachable.
“We just want to provide health and wellness to everyone in the neighborhood," said Danielle Tellier, the area general manager, of the shared mentality of the owners and staff, "[and] try to make it as simple and easy as possible.”
During the Arguello grand opening on the 24th, there will be a BBQ, raffles, music, and healthy refreshments from 11am-4pm.
After the grand opening, hours will run 5am-11pm with key card access and surveillance cameras during the few un-staffed hours. Chiropractic, massage and acupuncture services will also begin with the official opening, but will run on limited days and hours at first.