South Florida-based Youfit Health Clubs (www.youfit.com) recently opened its fifth club in Miami-Dade County and more are planned. The new Quaill Roost club at 20001 SW 127 Ave. is Youfit’s 75th nationwide, making it one of the fastest-growing fitness chains in America. And the company now is scouting more Miami- Dade locations. Rick Berks, founder/president of Youfit Health Clubs, has created a non-traditional business model in the tradition-bound fitness industry. At Youfit, there are no long-term contracts; you pay by the month. There are no intimidating bodybuilders or gym rats; the clubs aren’t designed for them. There’s no pressure to join and there are no salespeople, no pushy instructors — and no carbon footprint. In fact, these may be the “greenest” gyms in America. When you walk into the new Quail Roost club, for example, you’ll be walking on floors made of recycled tires or Nike sneakers (“Nike Grind”). “It costs more money to do it that way,” Berks said. “But we believe in giving back to the communities in which we do business. And we’re based here in South Florida, so we’re also very involved in charitable and civic causes in our communities.” Simply put, these are clubs where “you” can “fit” in, without dealing with pushy salespeople. And the fees are likely the lowest you’ll see for a first-class club. “I actually meet people who tell me they’d have to get in shape before they’d ever venture into a health club,” Berks said. “But our customers are simply people who want to get in shape, and stay in shape, at their own pace — without the trauma and drama of the usual health club.”
