Never-Before-Seen Photos from Recent Cover Stories

One of my favorite aspects of creating a magazine from scratch each month is seeing how the photos turn out for the cover stories. It’s so much fun to sift through the dozens (sometimes hundreds) of photos featuring the cover subject, his or her gym, members and staff. To me, each photo is a gem, showcasing a perspective that would be impossible to capture through just words alone.

Unfortunately, there’s no possible way to include each and every gem from a cover photoshoot in a single issue. With this in mind, the following is a handful of never-before-seen photos from some of our recent cover stories. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

June 2018 Issue: Franco’s Athletic Club

Ron and Sandy Franco have owned and operated Franco’s Athletic Club in Mandeville, Louisiana, for 30 years. I love these photos because they showcase the great relationship the duo has not just as partners in business, but also as partners in life. Full story: ‘Remember When’ at Franco’s Athletic Club.

March 2018 Issue: Workout Anytime

Workout Anytime’s foundation began in Douglasville, Georgia, in 1999. Today, the franchise boasts 150 clubs in 19 states, with over 200 expected to be operating by the end of 2018. What I like about these photos is that we don’t always get to showcase photos featuring people actually using a gym — and in this case, the club’s members and staff were more than willing to jump in and showcase the positive energy felt at their location. Full story: Brick by Brick: Workout Anytime’s Franchise Success Story.

October 2017 Issue: Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago

More than three years ago, Midtown Athletic Clubs set out to renovate and expand one of its legacy clubs in Chicago. And in September 2017, the fruits of those labor ($80 million worth) were revealed to members and staff. I was lucky enough to get the chance to take a tour of the 575,000-square-foot fitness oasis before the doors officially opened. The most exciting aspect was seeing how proud CEO Steven Schwartz and COO Jon Brady were of the project, which I think these photos convey. Throughout the club they each took the time to share background and insight into specific features and amenities — such as the challenges of transporting a 3,000-pound Ganesh statue and more. Full story: Urban Legacy: A Look Inside Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago.

July 2017: Fitness Formula Clubs

In January 2017, Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) opened its newest and 10th location in Chicago. But we all know the people are what bring a club to life. That’s what I like most about these photos, which showcase the people behind FFC’s state-of-the-art newest facility. Full story: Home Away From Home.