Vincent Sansone, founder and president of The Edge Fitness Clubs, is building his company’s muscle in Hartford County, adding a club this summer in Bristol after selling a club there in 1996.“We always liked the Bristol market and did very well there,” Sansone said. “In 1996, we were opening clubs on a much smaller scale. […]
Vincent Sansone, founder and president of The Edge Fitness Clubs, is building his company's muscle in Hartford County, adding a club this summer in Bristol after selling a club there in 1996.
“We always liked the Bristol market and did very well there,” Sansone said. “In 1996, we were opening clubs on a much smaller scale. We are excited to be able to offer that market our latest and greatest prototype model.”
Founded in Middletown in 1988 by Sansone and his wife, Laurie, the company is now headquartered in Orange where its flagship club was built in 2016. Edge Fitness' other Hartford County club is in Manchester, also opened in 2016. It had two Middlesex County clubs in Cromwell and Middletown, but sold those in 2001 to concentrate and expand in Fairfield County, Sansone said.
Edge Fitness now has 17 locations including 13 in Connecticut and four in New Jersey. Another gym is planned in Philadelphia. Sansone said he envisions 50-plus clubs by the end of 2021, with clusters in multiple states east of the Mississippi.
Why is Edge Fitness interested in expanding in Hartford County?
It is a very good market and makes a lot of sense as we continue to grow throughout Connecticut. There are a lot of great towns in Hartford County we know will love our product.
What sets Edge apart from other clubs?
We offer the best value proposition in the fitness industry. We combine a big-box health club with high-end finishes, equipment and amenities that rival the boutique concepts — all at an unbelievably attractive price point (memberships range from $9.99 to $29.99 per month).
What's the biggest challenge you face expanding in Hartford County?
Finding our ideal space in some of the towns we want to go into.
How has the industry changed since you founded Edge?
It has become more mainstream — everyone understands the importance of exercising and how diet affects overall health. Plus, there are many more clubs and concepts than when we opened 30 years ago.
