LAKE JACKSON — Family Fitness Desk Manager Derrick Jackson looked out over the workout floor Wednesday evening with a message for those still inside.
“The time is now 8 o’clock,” he said. “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here. We thank you all for your loyalty, for your love, for your time … this is Family Fitness. We love you.”
Jackson yelled out Family Fitness’ finally closing time from the top of the half wall that separated the entrance lobby from the rest of the gym. People clapped, filmed and yelled out their own affirmations before the energy began to die down.
People took their time strolling out, savoring their final moments in the health club until the only thing left in the parking lot was the glow from the neon flow of the gym’s sign.
Opened in 1998, Family Fitness brought a personal atmosphere with an elevated level of professionalism to gym culture in the area. Even when larger chains started moving into the Brazosport area, Family Fitness retained much of its base and keep attracting clientele because of its respect for the customers, members said.
“This was my happy place,” Marsha Albert said. “I would just come to yoga and it was just such a friendly place. I love the atmosphere. I love daycare. I love the pool. Everybody was so friendly. It was like, well, ‘family’ fitness. It was like you’re coming to your family and you go out with your family.”
Albert lives within walking distance of the facility. Although yoga was her primary motivator, she would engage with other amenities, such as the pool. An advanced yogi, Albert said she found the classes at other gyms to be too easy, largely targeted at beginners. At Family Fitness, instructors including Taylor Niday and Amy Clinton believed in their members enough to challenge them, Albert said.
When she found out Family Fitness would be closing its doors, Albert was heartbroken.
“I made a lot of yoga friends over the years,” Albert said. “So when the doors were closing, we’re all like, ‘Wait, what?’ It was just pretty devastating. And you can tell because everybody is upset. It’s bittersweet. It’s very bittersweet.”
Regardless of how she felt, she saw the employees felt even worse. Many were long-term staff who genuinely loved their jobs. As a token of her appreciation, Albert organized a farewell party for the staff and any member who wanted to participate.
By 7:30 p.m Wednesday, a table with a black Family Fitness tablecloth had been decked out with champagne, cheese and fruits. People gathered, friends old and new, laughing as they shared stories, pausing when the fact sunk in that there would be no next chapter for the club.
A friend group near the front of the lobby refused to be somber come closing time.
“We are the 5 a.m.’ers,” Kathy Lopez said.
She is part of a collection of 15 to 20 friends that engages in body pump, cycling, TRX and beyond at the crack of dawn. Despite the grueling routine, the crew had become very good friends.
“I started coming in 1999,” Gloria Sanchez said. “It’s just so family-oriented here and there’s a lot of camaraderie.”
Over the years, they’ve established a taco night, exchanged Christmas gifts and become anchors in each other’s lives.
When they found out Family Fitness was closing its doors, they shopped for a new gym together. They landed on Evolution in Brazos Mall, where their cheer and friendship already has began to make changes prior to their first class.
“We have modified the schedule at Evolution,” Glenn Jones said. “They’re making 5 a.m. classes for us.”
As the celebration wore on, friend Melanie Jaso drew everyone together for one of her famous “Melfies.”
“I joined the gym three years ago,” Jaso said. “At first it was just me doing it. Then after a few weeks, it became a group thing.”
Jaso was not allowed to be a solo athlete.
“All it took was Glenn coming over to me and saying, ‘Hey, so where are you from?’” Jaso said.
Jones would always arrive first and have his morning coffee at a table near the front. As others in the group would gather, they’d catch up, caffeinated and head in together for their morning class.
Tears were shed by staff as closing time drew near. What was a happy occasion turned somber during the last 20 minutes of the gym’s time open. A black Lexus pulled up to the front of the building. The finally clanking of machines stopped, laughter died down and everyone clamored to the lobby area.
Owner Kay Aplin entered through the front double doors to applause. People smiled and waved, waiting for a hug and a hello as she worked the room.
As the final day at Family Fitness concluded, members and staff alike found it hard to say goodbye. Although the space might no longer be theirs, they fully intend to keep the friendships and life habits they made along the way.
“It’s an end of a chapter,” Lopez said. “We’re sad because this was more than a gym.”
