Gold's Gyms in area get new name

By Carolyn Shapiro
The Virginian-Pilot
© October 18, 2009

The Northern Virginia brothers who introduced Gold's Gyms to Hampton Roads are pumping a new name for their five local fitness centers.

Kirk and John Galiani have changed the name of their gyms in this region to Onelife Fitness, according to a recent mailing sent to Gold's Gym members.

The new name, they said in the mailing, better suits the top-quality amenities, upscale decor and state-of-the-art equipment that the owners have spent $30 million installing in the facilities, including a Gold's Gym on Portsmouth Boulevard in Chesapeake that opened last summer.

In previous interviews, Kirk Galiani has said he was striving to shed the image of Gold's as a gym solely for beefy body-builders. He did not return a phone call last week to discuss the name change.

In the postcard to members, the Galianis wrote, "While Gold's Gym has inspired Hampton Roads with its rich history of health and fitness for almost a decade, our clubs have simply outgrown in size, quality, cleanliness, amenities and service from what is traditionally perceived as a Gold's Gym."

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Galiani Brothers

Submitted by boblakeman on Sun, 10/18/2009 at 8:33 am.

I have visited Gold's Gyms around the country and the ones here in Hampton Roads are by far the best. The brothers run a class operation and their staff is great. I have been a member since they opened the gym in Chesapeake off Greenbrier Parkway. The equipment is great, the classes are run by people who love what they do and the trainers are always available for help when you need it. Good luck with the new name. It appears to be a good move and an opportunity to branch out on their own.