|
Owners Sarah & Jeff
Bonugli
Family Fitness, in Spring
Branch, is owned by Jeff and Sarah Bonugli. We have come a long way
since we first began building in 1996. Initially, we opened up as
Busy Bodies Fitness Center in the building next to the EMS station.
After quickly realizing we were outgrowing that location, the Bonuglis purchased
2 acres of raw land across the highway at 4800 HWY 281 N. As they
say, the rest is history…
The first building that
went up was the karate dojo, which is no surprise since one of Jeff’s
lifetime passions is the martial arts. Beginning at the age of 18,
Jeff advanced through the ranks of Soryu Karate, the style in which he
now holds a 7th degree, also known as Grand Master. He
also attained black belts in the TaeKwonDo and Bushudo styles. He
has taught Soryu Karate to adults and children all of his adult life.
Recently the popularity of
Mixed Martial Arts and “cage fighting” has brought a new twist to Jeff’s
enjoyment of the sport. He loves training and teaching students all
aspects of the martial arts, including karate, kick boxing, boxing,
wrestling and ground fighting. The karate dojo is filled with heavy
hanging bags and a full-sized boxing ring. Other group fitness
classes take place there as well, such as yoga, aerobics, dancercise and
boxing aerobics.
When the main gym building
was finished in 1998, all of the cardio machines, weight equipment and
tanning beds were moved over to the new location. Soon after, the
swimming pool and deck were completed. The original Pavilion came
next, beginning as an open-air venue. It was later enlarged and
enclosed, and air conditioning, heat and a dance floor were added.
The Pavilion and pool area are available to rent for all sorts of private
parties: wedding receptions, company parties, reunions, etc.
From 1996 until 2002, I ran
Busy Bodies while Jeff became the General Manager of Gillespie Ford and
made it the number one Ford dealer in San Antonio. In 2002, I
thought I would take a break from running the gym, and we leased it out
to another business. During this interlude, Jeff continued to make
his mark in the automobile industry.
However, the Lord seemed to
have other ideas in mind, and the fitness center landed back in our laps
unexpectedly in October of 2006. So I suddenly had what I
called a “forced UN-retirement.” and took over the running of the facility
once more, this time naming it Family Fitness. Following a
difficult transition period as we struggled with the financial and image
problems left behind by the previous tenant, things gradually began to
run smoothly again. Family Fitness became known as a positive
and encouraging place for folks who are looking for a clean, friendly and
non-intimidating environment for exercise and fun.
The huge new
basketball/volleyball gym brought promise of even greater things to come,
providing yet another activity for families and friends to enjoy together
in the pursuit of fun and fitness.
Little did the Bonuglis
know that God had even more surprises in store for them. Before the
new gym was even completed, in May of 2007, Jeff was handed a “forced
retirement” as Gillespie Ford was bought by a large corporation.
Then in June yet another
challenge came as their 18-year-old niece Megan Herring died in a car
accident. She loved life and was a talented volleyball player. With
divine timing, the building process was ending just as Megan’s eternal
life with her Lord was beginning. Because she wore the number ten
and her team nickname was “Perfect 10,” the new basketball/volleyball
facility is dedicated in her memory as the
Perfect 10 Memorial Gym.
Jeff and I have decided
that apparently God wants us to be out here in Spring Branch providing
the place we like to call “more than a gym” to local residents. God
seems to have orchestrated events so as to make it all happen.
Being believers in the providence of God, we are determined to make it
the best and most affordable fitness facility around, and to bring glory
to the Lord in the process. We believe it can and will continue to
be blessed. Come visit and see if we can make a believer out of
you, too.
|
