The finishing touches are being put on the new F-Fitness Gym in Goonellabah which will make it the largest gym in Lismore and the Northern Rivers.

Michael and Katie Kuhnemann purchased the old Summit Fitness business and building from Matt George in October 2022. Since then it has been a hive of planning and activity as Richard and the team from AB Renovations give the building a multi-million dollar makeover that will see F-Fitness be a gym like no other in the region.

(The owners of F-Fitness Goonellabah Katie and Michael Kuhnemann)

Every nook and cranny of the 2000 square metre building has been utilised. There are three floors of fitness with a variety of rooms that cater to fitness classes like pilates, yoga and boxing to dedicated weight rooms with the latest equipment from around the world, a women's only section and a creche so you can have your children looked after as you do your workout.

The size and scale of F-Fitness is really something you need to see to believe.

"We have gear from every manufacturer around the world," Michael Kuhnemann told the Lismore App, "You've got your gym80 stuff which is the latest from Germany, you've got Panatta from Italy, you've got Matrix, Techno Gym, Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Verve Fitness. Any brand that you can think of will we will have some gear in here."

"We wanted to create a destination gym. So, if you want to do the hardcore stuff that normally you can only access in certain gyms on the Gold Coast or Brisbane, you can get that here at Goonellabah. If you are serious about weights or serious about your fitness you need to come in and have a look."

"I've picked the best equipment from every gym I've ever been to."

However, if the serious side of fitness is not for you, F-Fitness has retained the class fitness that Summit was known for.

"Classes are still the same, in fact, we will be doubling the number of classes. So, a lot of functional training classes, more pilates, more boxing classes. There will be more variety for people to enjoy."

If you are self-conscious and worried about working out with the super-fit people of Lismore and the Northern Rivers, Michael solved that too.

"The good thing about this being an old squash centre is it's all compartmentalized. So, it's not like your new gyms that are just a large rectangle or square where you see everyone. Here, you're never going to see lots of people. People aren't there staring at you, you've got your own little area basically. Plus we have a large ladies-only area that is completely separate from the rest of the rooms."

(Inside part of the Ladies-Only section in F-Fitness)

If you are looking for guidance and/or motivation from a professional, there are about 8-10 Personal Trainers in F-Fitness and if you are injured or get injured, F-Fitness has an Exercise Physiologist and an Osteopath depending on the severity of your injury.

F-Fitness also takes Fitness Passport so if you are a member through your corporation such as Lismore Base Hospital, Richmond Police District, Ambulance or Firefighter you can enjoy the new facilities as well.

However, the million-dollar makeover is not finished just yet. There are a few rooms that are in the process of completing the F-Fitness picture.

"We are working on the wet areas right now, so all your toilets and showers and your childcare," Michael explained.

"That's why we have a Foundation Offer in place right now. For $14.95 per week you can enjoy all the new equipment but because of the delays to the bathroom and childcare room we are extending that until the end of the month but it will definitely finish on February 28. After that, the price will change to $19.95 per week."

If you do want to save a bit of money on your fitness, you can book the $14.95 Foundation Membership for 12 months and lock in that low price before the price rise on February 28.

The official opening of the new F-Fitness gym is Saturday, March 4.

"We'll have a sausage sizzle, free coffees, some competitions as well as some celebrities coming to open the gym. I haven't put a lot of thought into that yet but it will be a special day and will go ahead rain, hail or shine."

(The cross-fitness room)

Following the renovations being completed and the official opening, F-Fitness will move to 24/7 access plus you can choose between the Wyrallah Road F-Fitness in East Lismore or the new Goonellabah gym.

F-Fitness is at 791 Ballina Road, Goonellabah. As Molly Meldrum used to say, "Do yourself a favour" and take a tour, it is hard not to be greatly impressed.