Health Club Lives By Bold Mission

“At the Bradenton Health and Racquet Club, President Paul Hartford operates his business with the mind set of a public safety official. From Hartford’s point of view he’s in the business of saving lives. ‘What I’m trying to do in this facility is not just get members in the gym but get families involved, get children involved,’ Hartford said. ‘We’re dealing with health care, but we’re not dealing with the nucleus of the problem: proper exercise and nutrition.’ At far right, Paul Hartford, standing, and Joey Perea, seated, are co-founders of the new Bradenton Health and Racquet Club with members of their staff in the 2-story machine workout area at the club. Hartford strives to make the Bradenton Health and Racquet Club meet everyone’s interests and needs in those areas. The 23,000-square-foot facility at 6500 Manatee Ave. W. has three competition-size racquet courts and equipment that includes treadmills, elliptical machines, stair masters, stationary bikes and weights that range from 5 to 150 pounds. The health club offers aerobics, yoga, spinning, pilates, martial arts and stretching classes, and personal training sessions are available as well as nutritional evaluations for members. And amenities include child care center, massage therapy, a tanning center, a juice bar, a sauna, and men’s and women’s locker rooms. ‘Our commitment is sustaining a positive environment in which our members feel consistently motivated and at home in a high-energy atmosphere,’ Hartford said. In March 2008, Hartford took over as president of the club, which has about 2,000 members. Membership is $39.99 a month on a no-contract basis or $399.99 for a year. Hartford vows to stop accepting membership when the club’s client base reaches 4,000 and start a waiting list for future members. ‘Most fitness centers it’s just sell, sell, sell to the point you can’t fit everyone in the door,’ Hartford said. ‘We want to be able to service our members.’ And his clients appreciate the promise.”

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