Workout Anytime builds success in Tucson | News

Jason and Melissa Lobaugh happily and hopefully took over ownership of Workout Anytime, a 24-hour gym in Beaverton, Oregon, in 2019. 

They had never owned a business before; Jason was a police officer, and Melissa had 26 years of experience as a dental assistant.

Two months later, the world came to a standstill. No one went out and everything closed. COVID-19 had come to town. 

“The guy I bought it from was a friend of mine and he must have had some sort of prophetic vision,” Jason said. “He said, ‘Hey, I’ve got a deal for you, here you go.’”

They call it a miracle that the gym not only survived but also flourished.

“Thanks to God,” Jason added. “(With) God’s grace, it made it through. … When I say by God’s grace, I’m being serious. It is literally a miracle the way everything happened.”

The Lobaughs persevered, and today the couple has opened a second gym, this time in Tucson, where they have made their home. Their Workout Anytime gym is at 9115 E. Tanque Verde Road, next to the Safeway.

When they took over the gym, Jason said he knew nothing about owning a business. Additionally, one month in, an employee who had been there for years submitted her notice. 

“I knew nothing about business and here I am with this new business,” he said. “I didn’t know how to do payroll. I knew nothing.”

After the employee left, Jason said he learned on the fly. Together with Melissa, they kept it going.

Then the pandemic hit and everything closed. The governor had strict rules about reopening, but the couple persevered through appointments with bankruptcy attorneys — even going as far as not charging guests, though some still wanted to pay. 

“A lot of people were very generous and wrote, ‘Please take my money,’” Melissa said. “‘Please take my $15, $20.’”

The time wasn’t all positive, however.

“A lot of people canceled,” Melissa added. “We lost about 600 members during that time.”

That 600 represented a third of the gym membership.

Plus, there were so many added regulations they had to follow.

“We had to create software where people were allowed to have appointments; we called it a playbook, which we received from corporate,” Melissa said. 

“It was extra janitor staff, extra spacing, shutting down every other machine and, in Oregon, we had to have construction companies come in and do makeshift walls every 6 feet. We didn’t know where we were going to come up with that funding, but it just worked out.”

Although the couple recouped some of those members, the business was successful enough that they decided to open another one, this time in Tucson. They had their reasons.

“We tried to expand in Oregon; Oregon is just not a small business-friendly state,” Jason said. 

“Your two basic expenses are your payroll and your lease and payroll, the minimum wage there is one of the highest in the country. Your lease rates are pretty expensive there, too.”

Tucson was a logical move because they have family here.

“Arizona is not fantastic for small businesses, but it’s way better than Oregon,” Jason said. “You can literally open two down here for what it costs to open one in Oregon.”

A family member became a third partner and they found the Tanque Verde location, which has proven successful.

“It really is a great spot,” Jason said. “It is in a strip mall, attached to a Safeway so you get the foot traffic, good parking, it just fit the model.”

It really goes with the franchise’s philosophy.

“‘Think big, keep it simple, but — I love this line — do it with integrity,’” Melissa said. “I really like the corporation that I work for. … The other acronym they use is ACE: attitude, care and excellence.”

The project was pricey. After the equipment and remodeling, Workout Anytime cost the partners $1.2 million.

“To be fair, I would say that you really need about $500,000 in capital,” Melissa said. “You’re going to be taking out a Small Business Administration loan, or maybe you don’t go the SBA route, but you really should be looking in the ballpark of between $1 million and $1.5 million.”

Jason likes the brand because of its philosophy.

“They’re very law enforcement, military forward and friendly,” Jason said. 

“Military and first responders get discounts. I was law enforcement for 23 years before I became a gym owner, so that really attracted me to them, and just the gym model itself. They’re a fully equipped gym with some pretty neat amenities.”

Jason and Melissa take pride in their gym being for everyone, not just the fittest.

“Our gym here has everybody from a big elderly population to cross-fitters to even some powerlifters to bodybuilders getting ready for bodybuilding shows. The equipment really does have the gamut of equipment that you need to really help in your fitness journey.”

There are also amenities, such as cold tub plunges, red light saunas, stand-up red light therapy beds, small group and personal training, and tanning. 

“What was important was finding something that was not invasive,” Melissa added.

Plans are already in the works to open another location in late fall, this one at Ina and Thornydale roads.