NILES — When it comes to working out in a fitness center, Dowagiac resident Gary Marshall is a “treadmill guy.” When he opens up his FitStop24 center in Niles, though, he plans to add much more than running machines.

The 24-hour fitness center is slated to open at 410 N. 2nd St. in Niles by late summer or early fall, he said. All members will need to do is scan themselves into the facility to have access to Matrix fitness equipment, free weights, turf for speed drills, showers, lockers and a tanning room.

Plans to implement workout classes, lessons and a SilverSneakers program are in the works as well.

Marshall wants his FitStop24 to be family-owned, welcoming to all and community-oriented.

“Niles has been really good to me, so I wanted to do something for them,” said the Tyler Automotive employee.

FitStop24 is owned Eastlake Athletic Club, which in turn owns 15 fitness centers across Michiana. FitStop24 was recently purchased by Eastlake and was franchised.

Marshall said he does not want prospective members to fear the word “franchise,” which he said has connotations of being cold and corporate.

“Family’s important to me,” he said. “I’m doing it for them.”

It was one of the reasons why he joined Eastlake. He is good friends with its owner and knew that the company was family-owned.

Marshall’s own family was not he richest, he said, but he has worked hard to get where he and his family are today. Now, FitStop24, his first venture into business ownership, is his largest investment yet.

He wants to transfer his passion for family-oriented hard work into the FitStop24.

“My kids come first,” he said. “I think it’s going to be awesome to leave something behind for them. This is my goal.”

The center he hopes to leave behind is meant to cut away any workout-related intimidations. He said that some fitness centers do not “mesh” well with the people they serve.

He wants his FitStop to be a place where people of all ages and abilities can get together, communicate and become fit together.

“I want a personable experience,” he said. “I want people to feel welcomed. I don’t want anyone to feel intimidated.”

Sometimes, he said, even asking a fitness center employee about how to use a machine can be intimidating to some members. He plans to hire a friendly, knowledgeable staff to eliminate members’ nerves.

Marshall also emphasized safety, not just in trained staff, but security. With 24-hour access, members will need to use a key fob to get in. Surveillance cameras and exterior lighting will be set up.

The news of a FitStop24 comes as downtown Niles business owner Stephanie Reno works to open her own fitness center, Trap House 24, a few blocks away at 2540 S. 11th St. Marshall said he welcomes a second fitness center because both will benefit the community.

He decided to place FitStop24 at the N. 2nd Street property, blocks away from Reno’s property, because of its proximity to Riverfront Park, Wonderland Cinema and other area amenities.

Hiring, pre-sales and the estimated four to six weeks of construction for FitStop24 have not yet begun, Marshall said.