Owner says this new fitness center is a ‘one-stop-shop’ for men
David Smith, owner of M iMage Center for Men, said his business is a "one-stop-shop men’s facility."
The new fitness center in Oakwood Tower on Hall Street differs from other facilities by only offering private training. In addition to two private workout rooms, M iMage has a hair salon and a massage room, offers body grooming and waxing and, in April, will begin offering skin care and facials.
Healthy meals are available from Café M to eat in or for take out.
Smith said, "All services are provided a la carte. No monthly memberships."
He said clients may come just once a week, though most opt for two or three weekly workouts with a trainer. In addition, when rooms are available, customers may use the facilities for light workouts on their own.
Personal training sessions range in price from $35 to $50, depending on the time of day they are scheduled. Least expensive is during the day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As an opening special, Smith said the price is $25 per session for clients who sign up through the end of February. He extended that to Dallas Voice readers who stop by through the first two weeks of March.
Smith said, "The private training suite is the biggest appeal. Most people are self-conscious about what they can and cannot do."
On a first visit, he said he has people tour the facility and gets to know them on a one-to-one basis. He said he evaluates their goals, their current nutrition and health. He gives them a food-tracking form to fill out for two weeks.
"Nutrition is a huge aspect of fitness and health."
Smith encourages his clients to drink more water rather than drinks filled with artificial sweeteners or sugar and to eat foods without artificial ingredients.
"In four weeks you can make a huge change in the body," he said. But he warned against making unrealistic goals. While no one will go from a 42-inch waist to a 30-inch waist in six to eight weeks, he said, within a month, anyone can begin seeing a difference.
Smith said many people who go to a regular gym for the first time feel intimidated. Often they don’t progress to additional equipment because they don’t want to look foolish in front of other people. He said they often leave the gym saying, "Well, I did a little bit," or "The trainers here are unapproachable." But at M iMage Center, Smith said, the customer becomes comfortable with his trainer before they even begin working together.
"It’s one of the aspects that make us a draw," he said, "Our clients learn to enjoy working out. You don’t have to train to be in the Olympics."
Smith said he has had quite a few requests to open the facility to women. He has turned those down, but he said in late summer, he plans to expand the facility to offer similar, private services for women.
M Image Center, Oakwood Tower, 3626 N. Hall St., Suite 727. 214-443-5197. MiMageCenter.com
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition February 26, 2010.
Great!!
I was able to tour the facility and it is beautiful. I think its a great concept for both men and women.. can’t wait for the expansion and all the possiblities this center has to offer. Great job David!
Congratulations David!
Although I listed my name, maybe I should have listed as “Just Ignorant.”
I’ve been to other gyms before and paid average rates to get less than average service. After a long days work, the last thing I want to do is fight for machines. I was tired of the cookie cutter gym and wanted to try something new.
I have been training at this facility for a little over a month and it really is a breath of fresh air. The trainers are great, the staff is friendly and the facility is clean.
This quality of service is not too much to ask for but its not easy to find. I am very happy I found it.
I work out at Golds Gym on McKinney Ave. I must admit, GG and the two other gyms I previously worked out at had unapproachable trainers. However I did not begin going to the gym so some big over developed weight trainer could chat me up, flex his stuff in my face, or some gay guy could pick me up. I went to the gym for me. Only me. I went to strengthen my terribly run down and much taken for granted body. Honestly if someone starts a gym and then quits for some lame ass excuse such as the trainers are unapproachable, you are just ignorant. You weren’t in it for the improvement, you were in it for some other reason. I have seen the people you are talking about and they would be the last reason I would be run off from any gym, as I would be not run off for anyone gay or straight, black or white. I go to the gym to work out. Why do you go? Furthermore I must say this in their defense. Maybe you are the unapproachable one.
can you please put me in touch with david smith, i worked out with him when he was on gilbert ave.
please ask him to email me so i can set up appointmens when i am in dallas in june for the gift show.
thanks so much
mathew