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By RACHEL C. DOVE

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON - Do you or a member of your family have a desire to live a healthier lifestyle and improve your physical appearance? If the answer to that question is yes, then Williamson physician Dr. Donovan Beckett and his wife Stacie, a Certified Nurse Practitioner, encourage you to visit the newly revamped “City Gym,” located on West Third Avenue in Williamson.

Approximately one year ago, the Becketts made the decision to purchase the business from its previous owners, and have spent the last few months completing major changes and additions they feel will serve the needs of the public in a more efficient manner than before.

One of those changes includes the addition of Personal Trainer, Michael Perry, a 30-year veteran fitness instructor whose interest in keeping in shape and taking care of your body began when he was involved with fitness training while in the U.S. Navy.

Since that time, Perry has lived in numerous locations across the nation and has worked as a trainer in businesses that range from Club Med, a Veteran’s Hospital to a federally funded inner-city Detroit Gym for underprivileged children and adults.

Perry is proud of a fitness show that is aired on Suddenlink’s Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s Channel 17 Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. in locations throughout Southern West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky, titled “Get off your Butt with Mad Dog!” and has experienced good reviews from the public.

“The first time an individual requests a training session with me at the City Gym they are not charged, it’s provided to them as a complimentary service,” said Perry. “This allows them to see what the advantage of working under the guidance of a personal trainer is all about, and it gives me the opportunity to view the areas of fitness we want to concentrate on and formulate a workout routine specific to their needs.”

Perry will soon be joined by Yoga instructor, Anita Branham, who will be offering classes in the near future following the completion of the renovations to the third floor of the gym, where the Becketts plan to relocate the equipment and services for female gym members to allow for more privacy.

“Our first floor will remain the location of the weight machines and free weights, as well as other pieces of work-out equipment geared toward the males,” remarked Stacie Beckett. “On our second floor, instructor Greg Maynard will be teaching Mixed Martial Arts classes which have become extremely popular during the past few years, and our third floor will be set up to serve the fitness needs of females.

“We also have plans for a Zumba class, as well as kick-boxing for males and females, and we also offer training especially formulated for kids.”

Beckett said that the City Gym is now an approved site for the PEIA (Public Employment Insurance Agency) Weight Management Program, and encourages anyone insured under that plan to stop by the gym to receive additional information on covered services included with this program.

The gym also offers a 14 percent monthly membership discount for all PEIA members, and substantial savings students that are school and college age, seniors over the age of 55 are extended discount memberships, as well as families.

The Becketts have added new state-of-the-art cardio equipment, showers, free weights and exercise mats at the gym. The health care providers are also investing over $10,000 in a new central heating and cooling system for the second and third floors, to assure a comfortable temperature year around in the facility.

Hours for the City Gym are from 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.

For more information regarding a membership at the City Gym, fitness classes offered or to schedule a session with the personal trainer, call the gym at 304-236-5922. If you have questions about the PEIA Weight Management Program, call 304-784-8761.

“We want to see the Tug Valley area put physical fitness and healthy living at the top of their priority list,” said Perry. “We truly feel that City Gym can help you achieve that goal, and provide you with the new mind set to get up – get active, and get healthy!”