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Skyler Hoyt manages the new Snap Fitness center at 3707 Ocean Beach Highway. The facility is open 24 hours. Bill Wagner / The Daily News

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Talking Business: New fitness center open around the clock

Monday, December 8, 2008 6:58 PM PST

By Cheryll A. Borgaard

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A new exercise and fitness center on Ocean Beach Highway is the first in the area to be accessible 24/7.

“I know many millworkers, loggers and others who work shift work,” said Skyler Hoyt, manager of Snap Fitness. “This is an area that needs a variety of times for people to work out.”

Snap, which occupies the space of the former Movie Gallery near Wal-Mart, is staffed usually from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Hoyt said. During the other hours, members use a card-key to enter.

Security is a high priority, Hoyt said.

“If someone is feeling uncomfortable while exercising late at night, there are two buttons they can push that will alert the police, and one of our staff members lives nearby,” he said. There also are motion sensors and surveillance cameras throughout the center.

Hoyt, a 2006 graduate of Castle Rock High School, said he’s had a passion for helping others get in shape for several years.

“I was obese as a child but started working out in high school and was on the state power-lifting team,” he said. As a teen, he helped friends, parents and teachers as a personal trainer, he said.

After high school, Hoyt spent about a year in Seattle working for Gold’s Gym. “But I wasn’t making enough money to live in Seattle, so I came back here.”

He’d been doing personal training and consulting on the side until he was hired as the Snap manager.

Snap Fitness has 1,000 exercise centers nationwide with plans in the near future to open 800 more, Hoyt said.

“The company may be from out-of-town, but we’re trying to make it hometown-friendly,” he said.

The fitness center has about 40 pieces of equipment, including cardio and weights. It also has an upright tanning booth.

Membership fees are $34.95 per month for singles and $49.95 per month for couples. However, there are several payment plans that can bring down the per-month cost, Hoyt said, and memberships can be individualized.

“No matter what the economy or your money situation is, everyone should be able to get fit,” he said.

Snap Fitness is located at 3707 Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. The phone number is (360) 425-5900

New accounting firm opens

A Longview CPA has opened her own firm, specializing in small business accounting and QuickBooks consulting.

June Hoover, owner of June Hoover Accounting, LLC, worked for 11 years at a Longview public accounting firm prior to going solo. She is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and completed a comprehensive exam from Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks software.

“I can help you set up a budget, show you how to monitor your income and spending and help you create a workable system for your finances,” she said.

Hoover has a bachelor’s degree in administrative management from Central Washington University and an accounting certificate from Linfield

College. She received her CPA license in 2001.

Hoover is available by appointment Mondays through Fridays. Her phone number is (360) 703-1144 or e-mail her at jhaccounting@cni.net

Talking Business is a weekly column about business openings, closing or major changes. Contact reporters Erik Olson (577-2520 eolson@tdn.com) or Cheryll Borgaard (577-2586 or cborgaard@tdn.com) with business news tips.

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Roudyruss wrote on Dec 8, 2008 6:11 AM:

" Good research Daily Snooze, the gym formerly known as Power House Gym used to open 24 hours a few years back. "

l-town mom wrote on Dec 8, 2008 8:14 AM:

" I think the idea of 24-hour access to working out in a gym is a great idea. I 've thought for a long time that our area could benefit from this. I hope this business takes off and works out for the owner. "

mikadax wrote on Dec 8, 2008 8:53 AM:

" good luck to both new businesses! "

old bag wrote on Dec 8, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Per month cost with payment plans? Does that mean you have to sign a year long contract? "

Silly Billy wrote on Dec 8, 2008 10:42 AM:

" "Do you know where the weight room is?"....."Ah, I'll check it out." "

KT_32 wrote on Dec 8, 2008 10:46 AM:

" I am one that would love to go to a gym that is open 24 hours since I work 3 jobs. But, I don't know if I like the idea of being there alone at night. Yes, they have buttons to push for safety but maybe some things don't require for the police to show up. What if I just wanted someone to watch me to my car? Plus, it's unfortunate that Snap Fitness isn't closer to town. "

No Nickname wrote on Dec 8, 2008 12:58 PM:

" Closer to town? Everybody in the county goes to Wal-Mart! Its a prime spot, really. With the huge amount of traffic out here, I am still surprised everyone thinks things past Fred Meyer are "way out there". There's some gems out here, including the Mt. Solo Plaza. Grab your compass, overnight bag and venture out to that ol' West Longview! - We'd be glad to ya shoppers! "

Stella wrote on Dec 8, 2008 1:16 PM:

" Not Everyone in the county goes to Wal-Mart. They don't get any of my money. "

Doug McCratch wrote on Dec 8, 2008 1:21 PM:

" KT_32, quit being a wuss. You want the convenience of using a gym whenever you want? Accept the risk. And meanwhile, you can bulk up so you can beat the bad guy up when he's trying to get you to empty the pockets of your spandex unitard. "

Gondolapete wrote on Dec 8, 2008 2:31 PM:

" I think I will check it out...my kel-tec 9MM is small enough to conceal with no problems..so late night safety is not a concern for those of us with common sense... "

KT_32 wrote on Dec 8, 2008 2:55 PM:

" First off Mr. Doug McCratch, my spandex unitard does not have any pockets, but I should invest in some that do have them. Second, to No Nickname, I rarely go out that direction. I have not been to Wal-Mart in over 2 years. And Fred Meyer's is still 'clear across town' for me. So, please don't assume that EVERYBODY in the county makes it over in that direction. "

Dookie Lumpkins wrote on Dec 8, 2008 4:35 PM:

" What happens when I drop the barbell on my throat? I need a spotter. After 7pm, will I be allowed to sit behind the desk and yell at people to wipe down their equipment? I don't want to work out, I want to pretend I'm a responsible manager. That's worth a membership in itself. "

Dookie Lumpkins wrote on Dec 8, 2008 5:12 PM:

" I realize I was making a joke in my previous post but in all truthfulness, shouldn't someone physically monitor this business? With that much metal in the place, I can see a meth addict buying a membership for the purpose of disassembling everything and taking it to the recycler. You'll go to work out the next day and find only ab balls and orphaned hand grips. "

Im_not_saying wrote on Dec 8, 2008 6:12 PM:

" Dookie - do your research. Metal theft is down as recycling is going down the tubes with the economy. The methheads will just steal whatever they can out of your car in the lot, which is worth more than the steel in the gym. (Besides, not many muscles on those methheads, the weights are too heavy) "

No Nickname wrote on Dec 8, 2008 9:14 PM:

" Ladies and Gentlemen I am proud to present the "Lack of Ability to Sense Sarcasm" award to: KT_32 and Stella!

It was a sarcastic joke. Don't take life so seriously people, you'll never get out alive. "

No Nickname wrote on Dec 8, 2008 9:14 PM:

" KT_32: Do you live in Kelso? "

tigersmom wrote on Dec 8, 2008 11:31 PM:

" I think it ids a great thing that Longview has a 24-hr gym. I used to be at Physical Impact some years back.. and the YMCA is the only gym that has a pool. What about a 24-hr fitness coming to the area.. ala.. The Biggest Loser? "

skibum wrote on Dec 9, 2008 8:20 AM:

" I've seen similar gyms work well in other cities. They aren't for everybody. But for those who have odd work hours, or who just want the peace of mind knowing they can go whenever they want, the gyms are great. It is unfortunate however that the gym is located more than a mile from downtown. Way too inconvenient! Looks like some people are looking for another good reason to stay home and eat Cheetos while watching Oprah on the big screen! LOL "

Grateful wrote on Dec 9, 2008 1:14 PM:

" I have checked out the gym and signed up. The equipment is fantastic and they have many security measures. It is too bad that many of those who have left comments are so negative. It is fantastic to see a new business open, especially considering the economy. This is an opportunity for more people to get healthy and be happier, despite their situation. Invest in yourself - it has a guaranteed 100% return. "

hopingforacostco wrote on Dec 9, 2008 4:10 PM:

" I find it amusing when people say that it's too bad that the location isn't convenient. I bet the people who live in West Longview find it very convenient, instead of having to drive into Longview but I can understand that most people just think about themselves. "

ccd wrote on Dec 9, 2008 8:37 PM:

" I live in West Longview, a whole 7 minute drive to Lowe's, and entire 3 minute drive to this gym. You all crack me up with how `far' away you think things are. Lemme tell ya, just go drive around Portland in rush hour for a little perspective, it's a real blast to travel 6 miles in 1.5 hours. We live in west Longview, and we can tell ya first hand, there are actually signs of other civilization out her. We're new in town, and gym shopping - we'll definitely check it out! "

KT_32 wrote on Dec 9, 2008 10:29 PM:

" I'm not dissing a new business in this community. I think it's great that you guys in West Longview will get the opportunity to have a new business in your area. It's closer for you. More power to ya! It's just not convenient for me and I still have concerns about the safety since there is no staff members there after 7p.m. And to ccd, I have driven in Portland rush hour more times than I can count. Best wishes to Snap Fitness, I hope your business is successful. "

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