Gold’s Gym International (GGI), Irving, TX, plans to open two new clubs in the Oklahoma City area and has acquired two Aspen Athletic Clubs in that market.

Construction has begun on both of the new clubs, which will have a soft open this spring and a grand opening in June, the company announced Thursday.

“We’re thrilled to bring the best in fitness to the Oklahoma City market,” GGI President Jim Snow said in a statement. “We think residents will be blown away by the amenities, services and affordability of our new gyms. More importantly, we look forward to serving the community long term. We are bullish on the Oklahoma City market and see this as the first of many moves we plan to make long term.”

The 54,000-square-foot Quail Springs facility will feature two group exercise studios, a group cycle studio, a functional training area, a walking track, an indoor basketball court, racquetball courts, a free kids’ club, a pool, a sauna and a smoothie bar. The 36,000-square-foot Northwest location will offer two group exercise studios, a group cycle studio, an outdoor basketball court, racquetball courts, functional training, a smoothie bar and a kids’ club. Both clubs will feature cardio cinema, and both will offer the latest cardio and strength training equipment.

The agreement reached with Aspen Athletic Clubs calls for Gold’s Gym to acquire both its Edmond, OK, location and the membership base of its Rockwell location, which will remain open until the new Northwest Gold’s Gym opens. At that time, Rockwell members will be transferred to the new Northwest club.

As part of the move to Oklahoma City, Gold’s Gym has reached a partnership with Mayor Mick Cornett to join the “This City Is Going on a Diet” campaign to improve the city’s physical fitness levels and help the city reach its goal of losing a combined one million pounds. The initiative has already produced a combined weight loss of 700,000 pounds.

“Our goal is to help make Oklahoma City one of the healthiest cities in the United States, and we look forward to working with residents, partners and the mayor’s office to make it happen,” Snow said.

Gold’s also has Oklahoma locations in Tulsa and Broken Arrow.

Thursday’s news comes on the same day that a Gold’s Gym in Joliet, IL, closed without giving notice to members.

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