DOWAGIAC — In-between working full time at Tyler Automotive, spending time with his family and owning FitStop24 in Niles, Gary Marshall is looking to expand his mission to make people healthy.

His next step is transforming Dowagiac Eastlake Athletic Club into a FitStop24 location. On Jan. 1, Marshall became the official owner of the new FitStop24 at 201 S. Front St., Dowagiac. Marshall, who is originally from Hartford, moved to Dowagiac with his wife 10 years ago. In October 2019, he opened his first FitStop24 location in Niles. Months later, Marshall saw Eastlake Athletic Club as an opportunity to operate a gym in his hometown.

The idea to take over the gym and convert it into a FitStop24 just made sense to Marshall.

“I live two minutes from here,” he said. “It’s easy for me to come in here and check in.”

At FitStop24, Marshall said his goal is to help members achieve their fitness and health goals.

“Everybody has a reason why they are coming in,” he said. “Whether they are stressed, whether they want to get fit or healthy, whatever the case is, it’s important we help them achieve their goals.”

In order for members look forward to working out, Marshall plans to make updates to the current facility. His plans include adding new equipment, new paint to the interior walls, replacing the existing carpet on the floors and updating the current bathrooms.

A front section of the gym will be converted into an all women’s room. The gym currently has a room already specifically for women to workout privately in, but Marshall hopes moving the area to the front will make it more accessible. He plans to keep the gym open and operating while renovations take place.

When Marshall purchased the property, he also purchased an upstairs apartment located in the front of the building and an upstairs space, which previously housed a dance studio. He hopes to convert the space into two batting cages, complete with artificial turf, and a boxing ring.

“I really want more parents to be involved with their children in sports,” Marshall said. “You’d be amazed at how many younger kids can’t throw a baseball. It would be really cool to see a father or mother come and hit a baseball with their child during the winter months.”

Marshall and his own son bond by throwing a baseball outside together or attending his son’s boxing classes.

With Dowagiac adding a FitStop24 location, members who attend the Dowagiac location will also be able to use the Niles location, as memberships can be used at any location.

“My members at the FitStop24 in Niles are going to know we have batting cages here,” Marshall said.

By interchanging members between the two locations, Marshall said customers will be able to experience new businesses in towns they may have never visited. Members will also be able to use their memberships at other FitStop24 locations throughout the state. Marshall said seven other locations are preparing to open.

Marshall plans to keep the family-oriented side of his gym on display as he makes improvements to get people excited about working out in Dowagiac.

“It’s a great community,” Marshall said. “I love being here. The people are great. I just want to offer more options.”

Marshall is far from done. He is looking to open up another gym at an as-of-yet undisclosed location.

“We want to set ourselves apart from the competition,” Marshall said. “It’s super important that everyone who comes in doesn’t feel like it’s just a cold gym. I want it to be a warm, inviting environment.”