WILLIAMSBURG — Iron-Bound Gym has seen its fair share of expansions and changes since it opened 40 years ago, and more changes will be coming in the months ahead as the gym expands and takes over the Cogan’s Deli space this spring.

Bill Cogan, who owns Cogan’s Deli and Sports Pub, had his eye on retirement, and when Iron-Bound Gym owner Scott Grafton heard the news, he spoke to Cogan right away.

“This expansion reflects our commitment to providing the best fitness experience in Williamsburg, offering more space, equipment, and opportunities to support your health and wellness journey,” Grafton said.

Renovations will begin once Cogan’s closes in mid-February. The former Cogan’s space will be turned into an aerobics room where fitness classes will be held.

With the new aerobics room on the horizon, Grafton plans to turn the existing aerobics space in the current facility into a more streamlined machine circuit area.

“I’m always looking ahead to what trends are changing in fitness. I have to change with the times and a lot of trends have changed in fitness and working out since I’ve owned the gym. We’ve always tried to offer everything from a high-intensity class to yoga here at Iron-Bound,” Grafton said.

A current trend in fitness is free weights. With the space created by the renovations and additional area across the street, Grafton said he will add more free weight equipment.

“Ever since COVID, people have realized how much they need to do a form of strength training. It’s a huge shift in terms of how often you see women lifting weights. It’s become very acceptable for women to lift weights now. It was misconstrued that you were going to get really big as a woman if you lifted weights and it just doesn’t happen. We’ve found as a gym that free weights are something that people immediately look for when they enter a gym, so now with the renovations, our free weights will be front and center,” Grafton explains.

In addition to the new free weight equipment, Grafton also plans to add more circuit training options for members.

While renovations and upgrades are installed, Grafton expects little to no interruption for gym users. If construction goes according to plan, the new space will open in the spring.

“This project is quite the undertaking, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring it to life,” said Grafton. “We’re so grateful for the continued support of our members, who make expansions like this possible. Thank you for your patience and encouragement as we embark on this next chapter together.”

To stay up to date on the renovations, follow Iron-Bound Gym on Facebook.