Amber Giulio hopes to get Jeffersonians pumping and sweating at her new gym on Boulder’s Main Street.
406 Bridge Fitness opened Aug. 8 after three months of prep and renovations help from Giulio’s father, Bruce. After last Friday’s open house, where visitors checked out the squat rack, bench press, free weights, treadmills, workout machines, and class space, Giulio ended up with 38 monthly members. “Really good turnout,” said the 41-year-old entrepreneur. “Everybody’s loving it so far, they’re excited about the equipment.”
The unstaffed gym is open 24/7, with video cameras monitoring all activity. Members use an app called Kisi to unlock the door to the gym whenever they please. (Guilio wouldn’t discuss gym liability in the event of a customer injury.) There are plans to release a fitness-focused mobile app soon featuring curated workout plans by professional trainers.
Giulio, a real estate agent in her day job, will manage the gym. She has hired a pilates instructor and plans to hire a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) trainer as well. She expects the pilates classes to begin next month and the HIIT classes to start soon after.
Fitness has been part of Giulo’s life since her participation in school sports. “That was a big piece for me growing up, was being involved in wrestling and softball and basketball,” she said. “As I have aged and learned more about health and fitness, the last 10 years I have been back on a fitness journey.”
Her newfound wellness inspired Giulio to share the life-changing benefits of fitness with the community. The “bridge” in the gym’s name is meant to reflect its goal of helping to take members from their present state to their fitness goals.
“I knew we needed a gym in Boulder,” she said. “It’s something I’m very passionate about, fitness and helping people move from where they’re at to where they want to be.” The gym sits next to two of Giulio’s other businesses, Bull Mountain Scoops and Boulder Stitch and Stone, and is meant to be just the start of a regional chain.
She aims to open her second Bridge Fitness outlet, in a 16,000-sq-ft warehouse behind Missouri River Brewing in East Helena, by the end of the year. In Boulder, gym membership is $45 per month per person, $85 for a couple, and $125 for a family of up to four, plus a $10 joining fee. Visit www.406bridgefitness.com to learn more.
