Greater Gainesville is home to several gyms that each excel at providing niche offerings for their members. Gainesville Health & Fitness is a standout when it comes to expertise, promise and passion.
Before Joe Cirulli could achieve his dream of starting a business centered around his passion for helping people get healthy, he had to first overcome adversity –– and a lot of it. He eventually triumphed after a long struggle down the road to founding Gainesville Health & Fitness in 1978. It all started with a defining moment in Cirulli’s life and career, at a truly unexpected place for an epiphany to happen –– the 13th Street McDonald’s.
A young Cirulli approached the McDonald’s counter and ordered a Diet Coke. Plunging his hand into his pocket, Cirulli paid for his drink, walked out the door and stood on the steps –– and realized he now had only 12 cents to his name. This was not a moment of defeat, but rather, a turning point for Cirulli. On those steps, Cirulli promised himself to never end up in that position again. That day, a fire was lit in Cirulli that would never go out, not even 45 years later.
Cirulli had a vision to found a world-class business that would help people in his community reach their potential and lead a healthy, fulfilling life. His passion for helping others along their fitness journeys began at a very young age, when his mother, a nurse, told him, “If you have your health, you have everything.” At only 9 years old, he rallied his friends to work out with him in the basement of his upstate New York home, with his new set of Mickey Mouse weights. His motivational spirit has only grown since.
Cirulli clung to his purpose to found Gainesville Health & Fitness in a time when everything seemed to be working against him. Cirulli had been working for companies that went bankrupt leading up to the day he was left with only 12 cents in his pocket and was living in his car. He faced an unfavorable environment for starting his own business as a solo entrepreneur in the 1970s, when startups were practically unheard of and were not supported by human and capital resources. It took relentless persistence, grit, resilience and a constant drive to succeed no matter what obstacles stood in the way.
Cirulli built his business on the foundation of the lessons he learned overcoming that adversity. He has never wavered in his “why” –– his purpose and drive that gives him the rope to hang onto when things get tough, even today. Cirulli’s unstoppable willpower and determination to succeed paid off, and now, he is able to extend that inspiration to the Gainesville community. If Cirulli could go from broke and hungry to successful because he had that fire and dream for himself, GHF members can do the same, transforming into the best versions of themselves.GHF has now evolved into Greater Gainesville’s largest fitness center, with three locations and more than 24,000 members all unified under one common goal: helping others unleash the best, healthiest, happiest versions of themselves.
Helping every step of the way
When Cirulli started building his gym, he thought to himself, “What would my parents do if they came into my gym? Would they know what to do?”
This mindset inspired Cirulli to open his gym with a focus on the first-time exerciser. He felt that no one should feel intimidated walking into the gym, even if it is their first time setting foot in a fitness center of any kind. Promoting fitness in a comfortable and safe space is a crucial part of the GHF culture, and it serves as the foundation on which every location was built.
“Joe is one of the most inspiring people you will ever meet –– a deliberate, kind, patient and positive mentor who will help you find hope, motivation or the leg press machine,” said Debbie Lee, GHF’s chief marketing officer. “He is hands on every day. He is helping his employees problem solve, listening to his members give suggestions and using his visionary skills to find the next trend.”
Every member of the GHF team wholeheartedly carries on Cirulli’s mission. GHF employees are specially trained to help anyone who is looking for fitness guidance and to arm them with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently pursue their goals and feel good doing it. The 500 total staff members do not only help beginners on their first day at GHF. They are there to help members every time they come into the gym, at every step of their fitness journeys.GHF employees live a culture of teamwork, innovation, creativity and commitment to a clean physical environment. They share knowledge, motivate members and each other toward continuous improvement, reward exceptional performance and foster an environment that creates leaders.
Pushing the limits of what a gym can be
As the largest fitness center in Greater Gainesville, GHF goes above and beyond to provide its members every amenity they could need in a gym. The wealth of programs, hands-on staff and numerous workout options ensure members can always spice up their fitness routines, keep it interesting and stay on track to hit their goals. All three of GHF facilities offer an abundance and variety of cardio equipment and strength training equipment, such as free weights, machines, squat racks, platforms and functional training stations.
Getting fit can be a lot of fun at GHF, between the more than 1,000 group classes across three locations each month.The main center is a two-story building filled with equipment and amenities, including cardio and weight equipment, an indoor heated pool, sauna, indoor basketball court, boxing area and free babysitting. All these amenities are available to members 24/7.There is even a location dedicated entirely to women, GHF Women. This facility offers a variety of options, including dance, HIIT and yoga classes, weightlifting, sauna, steam and hot tub and free babysitting services.The third location, in Tioga Town Center, offers branded amenities and innovative training options such as Pilates and CrossFit.
A mission to grow and support
GHF’s extraordinary commitment to helping people extends beyond the walls of the three facilities. There are several core purposes that drive GHF to create a positive impact on members of the Greater Gainesville community.GHF strives to create a challenging learning environment that develops leaders and inspires teamwork, especially among its staff. GHF provides its young talent opportunities to learn and grow upon instilled leadership qualities throughout their employment, which they will carry on to their next careers and extend to the community.GHF also places a strong emphasis on staying local and thriving locally.
Despite numerous offers over the years to help expand GHF elsewhere around the country, the company insists on staying close to home. It is committed to devoting its attention and innovation to Gainesville and help make it a vibrant, healthy place to live, work and play.The company makes hundreds of contributions to the community to serve hungry and underprivileged children, people suffering from cancer, heart disease and pediatric illnesses and to help special needs adults through its Fit For All program. GHF supports junior entrepreneurs, art and culture, and they also contribute to blood donations. These efforts are made through monetary, in-kind and in-person donations. It is all part of the drive to help people live the healthiest and happiest lives possible –– a mission sparked from a fire that will always shine bright.