Sports Barn pumps up downtown

A fitness center that helped rejuvenate the downtown area recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and continues thriving today.

The Sports Barn opened in 1979 in the old CARTA bus barns and now has three locations and more than 10,000 members.

David Brock, who bought the Sports Barn in 2007, said he hopes to continue what the founders began.

“They were trying to create a premium sports club, and we are trying to continue that,” he said. “Everything we do, we’re just trying to be the best.”

The original downtown location opened at 301 Market St. when racquetball and handball were the rage. That evolved from the interest of Alex Guerry, then-Chattem CEO, who was an enthusiast of those sports and leading backer of the planned downtown sports and fitness center.

Mike McGauley, one of the club’s founders, said the downtown renaissance had not yet begun, but still several groups of investors were contemplating opening facilities downtown.

“Rather than compete with one another we decided to go in together,” he said.

In the years since the Sports Barn’s opening, other developments sprouted nearby, including Jack’s Alley, as well as numerous restaurants and tourist attractions, led by the Tennessee Aquarium and riverfont offerings.

The Sports Barn was a success and has continued to evolve to match the fitness trends of the time, it grew in popularity and so did downtown, said Don Bowman, a Sports Barn spokesman.

The Sports Barn later expanded and opened facilities at 6148 Lee Highway and at 1790 Hamill Road in Hixson.

Club members and its staff claim the Sports Barn is more than just a workout facility.

The club boasts some of the best trainers in the area, and it partnered with Erlanger in 1996 to create The Lifestyle Center, a physical therapy and rehabilitation center within the downtown facility.

“It’s like one big family,” Mr. Bowman said. “It has been (the members’) extended family and home away from home.”

Maury Manham has been a member of the club for about four years. She agrees that it is more than just a gym.

“It’s the people,” she said. “It’s a community.”

Mr. Bowman said the three Sports Barn locations all offer the same fitness opportunities including racquetball and handball courts, weightlifting, spinning, cardiovascular training, steam room, sauna and spa.

He said the American public realizes the importance of exercise and the Sports Barn is catering to that.

“It’s not a luxury anymore,” he said. “It’s a necessity.”

Mr. McGauley said the expansion allowed them to cater to people in other geographic areas and other demographics, but the decision to sell the facilities gives a group of new investors the opportunity to continue the Sports Barn legacy.

“It’s been a rewarding experience,” Mr. McGauley said. “We think we have brought some great facilities to the community. We were ready to hand it off to some younger investors with some new ideas and I think they will be successful also.”