No more excuses for those flabby arms and spare tires. In addition to Lompoc/s parks and playgrounds, the town soon will have its fourth health and fitness center.

The latest addition to the fitness industry is In Shape City, which is expected to open Sept. 1 at 501 W. Central Ave. in a long-vacant Office Depot space in the Wal-Mart shopping center.

It will offer a pool, a sports court, training equipment and exercise programs designed for young and old, according to a spokesman.

In Shape City, which will be the 28th location for Stockton-based In Shape Health Clubs, began signing up customers last week with presale offers.

BPresales are well beyond our expectations,C said Rob Farrens of Stockton, one of three primary owners.

In Shape City will compete against the Walnut Pier Health Club, Pacific Health & Fitness and the Lompoc Family YMCA.

Farrens said In Shape tries to attract all age groups to its health clubs.

BWe fill numerous niches. One is we/re very family-oriented,C he said. BI want seniors … and we want young people. We try to incorporate it all. Our group aquatic classes are usually full of the older clientele.C

The center will include a sports court in addition to its indoor pool and a club for kids.

He said people exercising will have six to eight large televisions to watch and a selection of radio stations.

BWe/re trying to make exercise fun,C he said. BWe try to make our clubs fun.C

The center/s hours of operation are as yet undecided but could be 4 a.m. to midnight during the week and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends; or, In Shape could be open 24 hours a day, Farrens said.

The presale price being offered is ,26 per month for single members and ,46 per month for two people. There is a ,25 processing fee offered as a discount only during presales.

In Shape was founded in 1981 by Mort Rothbard, a Modesto physician, along with two founding partners in Stockton, Farrens said.

For more information about the Lompoc club, call 735-2600. For more information about In Shape Health Clubs, visit inshapeclubs.

com.

Bo Poertner can be reached at 737-1053 or bpoertner@lompocrecord.com.

March 18, 2008