The whole package

Bo Sullivan-Day has a vision for what a gym membership should offer.

Space for weight lifting, with reliable cardio equipment, too. Myriad options for training, like swimming, cycling classes and leagues. Accessible personal trainers.

"We want people to have the whole package," said Sullivan-Day, co-owner of 360 Fitness.

That's what he and his business partner, Patrick Volkar, are keen on providing.

360 Fitness in Coeur d'Alene is in the midst of a major overhaul, which the businessmen believe will give members everything they desire for a comprehensive workout.

Many witnessed the change last Friday, when 360 Fitness bought out the downtown Coeur d'Alene Athletic Club. The 360 location at Neider Avenue and Highway 95 immediately shut down, and the business took over the Coeur d'Alene Athletic space on Second Street.

"We had been in negotiations (with Coeur d'Alene Athletic) for a couple years now," said Sullivan-Day, who invested in 360 Fitness about two and a half years ago.

The downtown location offers amenities that 360's previous space lacked, he explained, like a basketball court and pool.

"It just made sense to us. We really wanted the pool and basketball court, and we really liked the downtown location," he said.

Not to say the space is perfect. The new owners plan to give the 30,000-square-foot gym a facelift, Sullivan-Day said. They have already added some newer cardio equipment, and will soon install several thousand dollars' worth of new TVs and security cameras.

The gym will be open 24 hours in a few weeks.

"We're just updating, more than anything," Sullivan-Day said, adding that they also plan to nurture more triathlete clubs and basketball leagues. "Just putting our own touch into it."

He acknowledged that 360 used to be housed in the Second Street space roughly four years ago, before relocating to Neider and Highway 95.

As that was before his time, Sullivan-Day doesn't know why the transition happened then.

Last week's buyout is just the beginning, he said.

Another 360 Fitness location will also open this spring at the Riverstone development, in the retail space previously slated for Barnes and Noble.

That 7,000-square-foot space will focus more on personal training, Sullivan-Day said.

Members will be able to use all 360 Fitness locations, he said, including the gym in Sandpoint.

"Between downtown and Riverstone, we'll offer the best two locations in Coeur d'Alene," he said.

Sullivan-Day has only heard encouraging reactions from the 1,500 members of 360, he said. Coeur d'Alene Athletic Club had roughly 600 members that have been adopted by the gym.

"We have yet to have anybody cancel their membership," he said. "There's a lot of excitement between the two clubs."

Victor Deleon, a two-year member of 360 Fitness, had no complaints on Tuesday as he lifted weights at the new downtown location.

"I think it's bigger, it's got better equipment," said Deleon, who works out just to stay fit.

Although the new venue is a bit of a longer drive for the Hayden resident, he said the pool and Jacuzzi give appealing reasons for his three children to join, too.

"It's a couple miles more, but it's well worth it," Deleon said.

Margaret Fretter, also a 360 member, was giving the downtown gym a try for the first time on Wednesday.

"What I like is the pool," said Fretter, who said she is eager to sign up for water aerobics.

As for the equipment quality, "I'm trying to figure out where everything is," she said with a chuckle.

Sullivan-Day, who got his start as a personal trainer, preferred not to reveal how much has been invested in 360 Fitness' new digs.

But he assures that all the effort is in members' best interests.

"People are excited, and it's because they know that we're always going to be there for them and provide a good product," he said.

Membership at 360 Fitness is $39 a month for the general public, though $29 membership is also available for some like seniors, students and additional family members.