Fitness centers catering to night owls

Convenience stores, supermarkets and eateries aren’t the only businesses open day and night any more – fitness centers are also getting into the action.

Midway Fitness & Racquetball center is the latest to open its doors 24-hours a day, a trend recently adopted by several local gyms.

Marti Spiker, who owns the facility behind the Midway Shopping Center on Route 1, said business owners have to accommodate clients who are employed outside of the 9-to-5 world or who prefer to work out when the crowds aren't around.

“People have busy lives,” she said. “This gives them the flexibility to work out whenever they want."

The option is open only full-membership customer's, Spiker said. They are given a card which they swipe at the front door to gain entry late at night or early in the morning when the gym’s employees aren’t on duty. Also available are necklaces with beepers that can page 911 operators in the event of an emergency.

Spiker said the center's treadmills, weight-lifting and fitness equipment will be ready to go during overnight hours, but some facilities will not be open, such as a room that offers whirlpools and dry-heat saunas. She expects many people will stick with the traditional hours of operation, not the least of which is the area’s only indoor raquetball court. “Racquetball is making a huge comeback,” Spiker said.

Many people also enjoy classes hosted by instructors, such as spin, body flex and a recent favorite: Latin-inspired Zumba. Personal trainers are also popular with fitness buffs, both young and old. “We get people from all walks of life,” Spiker said.

Jack Colombo of Rehoboth Beach said he doesn’t stay up late enough to warrant nighttime visits, but he can envision seniors working out before the usual opening hours of 6 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends. “I think there are some folks who will want to come earlier rather than later,” Colombo said.