Fifteen years ago, as the Bishop Arts neighborhood was on its way to becoming the “bustling bohemian backyard to downtown” that it is today, Oak Cliff residents Renee Reed and Jacqui Bliss opened up Anytime Fitness at the intersection of Bishop and West Davis, next to Cafe Brazil.
Since then the facility has undergone two remodels, endured a pandemic (supporting public health and sanity in the meantime) and is a mainstay among our neighborhood’s small businesses, restaurants, bars and boutiques.
“We are so grateful for all our members, but especially those first few who believed in us and helped us get established, as well as our loyal staff,” says Reed, a former college athlete and basketball coach who co-founded the gym in 2007 with Jacqui Bliss, a collegiate track and field all American.
“It’s been a blessing to see people grow and change in their health and fitness journeys,” say the owners in a text message. They tell us they love living in the neighborhood and how their business has become an integral part of this vibrant neighborhood.
“We are much more than a room with equipment,” notes the AF Bishop crew. “We are a true community that supports one another and has fun doing it.”
Photo of a few members of the AF Bishop Arts team (owners Renee Reed pictured bottom left; Jacqui Bliss is third from right, up top) and the Athletico physical therapy personnel, from AF/Facebook.
Members can opt for personal training or classes from staffers (including Reed and Bliss, both of whom hold multiple training certifications; Bambi Ferguson, a coach and former Texas A&M athlete who’s been with the gym nine years; Sergio Cantu, also a nutrition coach, who’s been there six years; Kyle Crichlow or Jarrell Young) or just work out on their own at 4 in the morning. Physical therapists from Athletico also office inside the Oak Cliff club.
Reed says the staff at this Oak Cliff Anytime Fitness location works tirelessly to differentiate the gym from others by being a “coaching club.”
The personal customer service provided by team member and Oak Cliff resident Devon Eversole also sets them apart, Reed says.
On a personal front, I joined this neighborhood gym last February for its relative safety and convenience after I fell and broke a hand during a trail run, and I found that AF is the ideal come-as-you-are and when-you-want facility. It is staffed during normal business hours, but your membership key gets you in the door, as the name indicates, anytime.
Follow them on Facebook or drop by during the day and meet Devon for more info.
The team is hosting a patio party for gym members at Cafe Brazil December 8.
(Featured stock image by Victor Freitas for Unsplash.)
