Fitness Centers Converge At Hamden Plaza, Mart

Not one but two fitness centers are scheduled to open in the Hamden Plaza and the Hamden Mart in the coming months, joining LA Fitness around the corner on Skiff Street.

Can that area support three gyms?

Yes, according to a random survey of shoppers conducted Sunday afternoon.

"This is a popular area that lots of people have easy access to," said Greg Anderson, 28, who was leaving LA Fitness. I think that all three can survive and even thrive here. There's enough people to support them.

"Sure, I think they can all be successful," said Brianna Marsh, 19, who was shopping at Bon Ton next to where Edge Fitness is opening in the Hamden Mart.

She isn't currently going to a gym but has been considering it, Marsh said. "I live up the road and it would be pretty convenient" to go to either Edge or Planet Fitness, which is opening in December next door in the Hamden Plaza.

According to its website, the Hamden Edge will have

• a Large Group Studio,
• Group Cycling Studio,
• Cardio Cinema,
• On Site Childcare,
• Turf Sprint Lanes and
• Functional Training Area,
• Separate Training Area with Functional Equipment, 
• Cardio and Weights 

________________________________________________________________________

Interested in Hamden's news, events, community bulletins, blogs and businesses? Sign up for the free Hamden Patch daily newsletter, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

________________________________________________________________________

Planet Fitness, owned by Jerry Mastrangelo Hamden High School teacher Mike Katz, is moving its Marne Street center to the Hamden Plaza in December.  

Planet Fitness bills itself as the "judgement-free zone" where no one is judged and everyone is welcome. "Members can relax, get in shape, and have fun without being subjected to the hard-core, look-at-me attitude that exists in too many gyms," according to its website.

Hamden resident Marco Rodriguez said he would be interested in checking out the new clubs. Having just moved to Hamden to attend college, he's in the market to find a gym, he said.

"I've gone to a couple but haven't decided where I'm going to buy a membership yet," he said. "Maybe I'll wait until these are open to make up my mind."