Future fitness center is easy as 1-2-3

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

The Phoenix bird of the old Harbor Inn Restaurant will rise again from the ashes — this time with three heads.

The iconic brown building at the bottom of Pioneer Way on Harborview Drive will be resurrected as a hair salon, a Starbucks and a fitness center within the walls that once housed a two-story restaurant.

The owners of the fitness center, Tish and Steve Machtolf, couldn’t believe their good fortune at nabbing a waterfront location for their exercise franchise.

“We looked at several other places in Gig Harbor, but nothing worked out,” Tish said.

The couple were dining at the Tides Tavern one afternoon last September when, on a whim, Tish decided to take a walk around the harbor and “see what was out there.”

When she walked by the Harbor Inn, she saw a “Space for Lease” sign in the window. After retrieving her husband, she contacted the building’s owner and a deal was made that day.

“We’ve eaten at the Harbor Inn and we loved it,” Steve said. “We had always thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have something on the water like this?’ Who would’ve thought we’d end up owning a business here?”

The Machtolfs are anticipating their health club’s success, as membership signups have exceeded their expectations “three times over,” Steve said. “I think people around here feel the same way about this building that we do. They have the same kind of good memories about this place.”

The pair decided to start a business when Tish retired three years ago from her career as a high school teacher.

Steve, a former police officer, still works as a pharmacist, but he has always been an exercise enthusiast — he runs in marathons and played college football.

Tish’s interest in fitness blossomed more recently.

“A few years ago, my idea of fitness was a good, brisk sit,” Tish said with a laugh.

“I joined the 1-2-3 Fit in Silverdale in 2004 as a New Year’s resolution. During the first month, I noticed a change. I lost weight and felt great.”

Her husband agreed.

“She lost a lot of weight really fast,” he said. “And she kept saying it was only 30 minutes three times a week. When I went there, I was sold in the first 30 minutes. It was the most thorough workout I’ve ever had.”

The couple swears by the benefits of the 1-2-3 Fit circuit-training method that was recently recognized by the American Council on Exercise. The club features Simbio System equipment, exclusive to 1-2-3 Fit centers.

The exercise routine takes club members through a series of 20 stations, working out for 30 seconds at each station.

“When I work out, I always wonder what exercises I need to do to get a full-body workout,” Steve said. “This system takes the guesswork out of it.”

“It combines cardio, strength and recovery,” Tish said. “It uses resistance bands so it can be used by the novice exercisers who have never exercised a day in their lives, or by the hardcore weight lifter.”

“With resistance training, you don’t get hurt like you can lifting regular weights,” Steve said. “You tone different muscle groups. It’s a complete body workout from your ankles up.”

The new fitness center is still accepting charter members and will have a black-tie party to celebrate their grand opening slated for May.

The Machtolfs feel their 1-2-3 center’s location at the back of the Harbor Inn building overlooking the water is a definite asset.

“At a lot of places, people work out while looking at a parking lot,” Steve said. “Our members will be able to just relax and enjoy this beautiful view.”

When the club opens, the couple plans to continue doing what they’ve basically been doing all their lives — helping people.

“All we ask is they come in for 30 minutes, three days a week,” Steve said. “If they give us the opportunity, we’ll make a difference in their lives.”

Want to get in shape?

Call 1-2-3 Fit at 253-851-8738 or visit 123fit.com.

Reach reporter Susan Schell at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@puyallupherald.com.