One year in fitness: The House Gym offers child care, positive atmosphere

PERRY – The House Gym, located at 1121 Ball Street, provides a positive and friendly gym environment for all fitness enthusiasts. 

The gym recently celebrated its anniversary and Owner Brent Anderson reflected on his first year. Anderson said it has been a lifelong dream of his to open his own gym and has been in the industry for approximately 27 years. 

In California, his home state, he owned his own gym. When he moved to Georgia, he worked as a fitness director for a local gym. He is also a competitive bodybuilder and will be competing in Georgia for the first time since moving.

Anderson shared he has been living in Georgia for three years and has been able to live out his dreams in Perry.

“My big thing is hospitality and family and faith and making everybody feel like that’s embedded inside the gym, so when they come here, they feel like they’re in their own house. They can be who they want to be and feel comfortable,” he said.

Anderson said the gym can be intimidating, but he is building a culture where anyone can come in and feel at home. He hopes his gym is a place where people can meet others and feel like family.

“That’s been the biggest thing, is creating that here in middle Georgia,” he said.

Anderson shared he loves being a part of the community and fell in love with Perry’s small-town feel. He said the people and other businesses are great, as well as his members, who he described as the best. 

The gym is also a part of the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce, which has helped Anderson get to know other businesses downtown. He said he loves how everyone comes together.

Anderson said The House Gym has grown tremendously since opening. Starting from no members, now they have approximately 700 members, and growing. 

Anderson believes the personability of the gym is what makes it unique from other gyms in the area. 

“My personal thing is I want to know everybody by first name basis, so when you come here, you’re going to be greeted by name. I get to know my members and that’s one thing I feel like gym owners lose sight of. You always feel like you’re wanted to be here, and you’re taken care of,” he said.

Anderson hopes people feel like they are at home rather than a dollar sign. He also shared after eight months of being open they gym won bronze for Best of Middle Georgia 2024.

The House Gym also provides childcare called “The Toybox,” and Anderson believes it is one of their most important features, saying he feels its important the area is a part of the gym.

The Toybox is a separate room, and members can come with their children at any time between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anderson said a lot of gyms that offer childcare only accepts children for a certain time period, but his gym allows parents to not have to worry about missing their opportunity. There is also a monitor for parents to keep an eye on their children while they are working out. 

He shared he has three girls, including a 19-month-old daughter. He added when parents want to continue their fitness journey, they may be limited to either dropping off their kids or hiring a babysitter and paying out of pocket.

Anderson said having a childcare incorporated into the gym makes it convenient, because it is a place parents know their children will be taken care of. He shares the gym staff is great and children will have plenty to do including, watching movies and making crafts.

“The parent no longer has to feel bad about taking the kids to the gym, because the kid wants to be there and they can finally work on themselves, better themselves and get healthy,” he said.

Anderson said the kids love it and it’s been growing. He believes a gym like his is what Perry needs, since local gyms that offer childcare are farther away.

The gym also offers a built-in supplement store and tanning.

Anderson believes people should choose his gym because smaller gyms are more personable and less crowded. He said when people come into his gym, they get their work done and not feel overwhelmed with a lot of people.

In bigger gyms, people feel more intimidated, Anderson says, but they won’t have that feeling in his gym.

“They come in, it’s inviting, and they feel at home from day one. I think that’s the main thing I love about the House Gym,” he said. 

Anderson also shared he fell in love with fitness and was bullied when he was a kid. This inspired him to lose weight, be in shape and help others.

“It’s not always about looking good and everything. There’s a mental part of it and that’s a part I’d love to help people with,” he said.

He shared he feels younger than he is because he has been surrounded by positive people throughout his life and has been on a great journey.

“My biggest thing is just the community [and] the culture that’s here. That family environment and the childcare is the highlight of the gym. The kids are amazing when they are back there and having fun,” he said.

The House Gym is located at 1121 Ball Street in Perry. It is a 24/7 access gym for members