ONTARIO — Harry Stickelman says Fleets Fitness Center is “by its members for its members.”

The owner, professional powerlifter and certified trainer said many of Fleets’ customers rallied together to paint the walls, move equipment and prepare electricity in its new building.

“Some members put in double-digit hours to help us get ready,” Stickelman said. “We wouldn’t be here without them. This gym was truly built by its members, for its members.”

Fleets Fitness Center is now located in the former Planet Fitness at 2155 Village Mall Drive, tripling in size from its former location on Park Avenue West.

Don Van Fleet founded Fleets Fitness Center in 1983 in Shelby. The gym later moved to Park Avenue West in 1993 due to flooding. Stickelman started working at the gym as a senior in high school and bought the business in 2016.

“Being a gym member first, and then an employee and now the owner, I can implement some stuff I care about,” he said. 

“I hated contracts and hidden fees as a gym member, so I didn’t implement those in my own business. Everyone is month-to-month for however long they want to keep training here.”

Fleets Fitness’ workout floor is organized by movement — cardio, lifting and bench equipment have their own areas. The building is about 30,000 square feet, Stickelman said. 

“We have quite a bit of unique equipment, too — everything from a rotator-cuff machine to specialty bars and benches, bilateral leg press, pendulum squats — so you can get really specific to what muscles you want to work out,” Stickelman said.

In addition to the workout area, the gym has a personal sauna, a supplements and merchandise shop and larger bathrooms than at its previous location. Stickelman said Fleets is working on building out a strongman room.

“That sport has been around forever, but it seems to be getting more popular,” Stickelman said. “So I’m excited to get more equipment focused specifically on that.”

Fleets offers 24/7 key card access to members

Fleets has more than 100 pieces of equipment, including multiples of machines and weights.

“Six people can be using the same weighted dumb bells here,” Stickelman said.

“You shouldn’t have to wait for stuff, even when there’s 30 people in the gym.”

The 2012 Ontario High School alumnus said he also wants to host powerlifting meets or gym events in the future.

“I genuinely want people to come in here and check the place out,” he said. “Just to look at our equipment selection and to get a feel for the atmosphere.

“We’re pretty chill and laid back here. It’s much more welcoming than people realize. I think because we have some heavy equipment and 200-pound dumbbells, people think our members are going to be scary or intimidating. 

“They’re scary-looking, but the nicest people you’ll ever meet. You can ask people for spots, pointers, whatever — and you don’t have to worry about being ostracized or anything like that.”

Stickelman noted that most people haven’t been in a gym the size of Fleets’ new location that is locally owned.

“I frequently ask for feedback and post on social media asking what they want us to buy next,” he said. “I think that’s new to a lot of people because they’re not used to having input and being able to talk directly to the owner for a place this size.

“I don’t care how people train, I just want to support people who work hard. Those are the people I really enjoy being around.”

Fleets Fitness offers a one-week free trial with no membership commitment required, as well as $7 day passes. Membership is $40 a month for an individual and $20 for additions, or $75 per month for a family membership.

It is open 24/7 for members. The desk is staffed from the hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Fleets Fitness Center is online, on Facebook, Instagram and can be contacted at 419- 529-4778.