Strand Fitness health, wellness chain opens new gym in Algester, Brisbane

Townsville’s best gym is going from strength to strength, announcing exciting new moves to muscle in on the fitness and wellness market in Brisbane.

Dean Bodle, owner of Strand Fitness, in the 'Oasis: Fire & Ice' recovery room after a $2m renovation. Picture: Shae Beplate

Townsville’s best gym is going from strength to strength, announcing exciting new moves to muscle in on the fitness and wellness market in Brisbane.

Dean Bodle, owner of the Strand Fitness group, voted Townsville’s best by Bulletin readers, confirmed on Friday that he had purchased the AJ Sports Centre spread over two acres in Algester on the southern outskirts of the city.

“I was looking for the right property and it came up, and yeah, it was a ripper – it’s a huge established gym already with a client base, staff and everything like that.”

He said there were multi-million dollar plans underway to give it the “Strand Fitness touch”.

“It had the car parks I needed, the building so it just needs the full renovation and all-new equipment,” he said.

Strand Fitness is preparing for a grand opening event at it's new location, Strand Fitness Central, after a 2 million dollar renovation. Dean Bodle, Owner of Strand Fitness in the 'Oasis: Fire & Ice' recovery room. Picture: Shae Beplate

“As we speak, I’m talking to three different equipment providers, I’ve got engineers, builders, everything booked in for next week.”

Mr Bodle, who operates three Strand Fitness centres in Townsville, said there were more gyms per head of population in the North Queensland capital than in Brisbane and that there was room for growth.

Mr Bodle after winning Townsville's best gym, as voted by the ‘Townsville Bulletin’ readers. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“We’re not just a gym, we’re a fitness, wellness and recovery centre.”

He said his newest gym, Central, for example, had incorporated the Oasis: Fire and Ice recovery and relaxation centre that featured an infrared sauna and ice bath, as well as The Haven that included massage chairs.

Mr Bodle laughed when asked where his expansion plans would take him to next.

“This project will take me at least 12 months, so I’ll just keep my eyes on this one and really do it well and finish it before I even look at the next one.”

Originally published as Strand Fitness health, wellness chain opens new gym in Algester, Brisbane