Cedric Bridge’s Faith-Driven Franchise Journey With Workout Anytime

Cedric Bridges’ journey into franchising is not a conventional one. While many entrepreneurs actively seek out franchise opportunities, Bridges was introduced to Workout Anytime through a friend and immediately felt a connection. More than just a business decision, this opportunity resonated deeply with his lifelong passion for fitness and his unwavering faith. "I felt a calling from God telling me it was time to return home to Alabama,” Bridges said. “Doors started opening that allowed me to retire from aviation, and I used part of my retirement to open a gym in Alabama.”

Now, Bridges is celebrating a major milestone — his Workout Anytime gym in Calera, Alabama, is marking its 5-year anniversary on March 5th. Opening a gym during the onset of COVID-19 posed significant challenges, but Bridges remained steadfast. His Calera location opened in March 2020, only to be shut down within weeks due to state-mandated closures. Membership numbers were initially low, but by mid-2020, things began to turn around. "We went from 100 members when we reopened in late May to about 1,700 members in less than a year," he said.

Beyond business success, Bridges’ commitment to his community is what truly sets him apart. His gym is more than just a place to work out — it’s a welcoming space where members feel valued. From playing Christian music at a low volume to ensuring every member is greeted personally, Bridges has cultivated an environment where people feel comfortable and supported. "We work very hard to make it feel like… a family facility that you can come and feel comfortable at," he said.

Looking ahead, Bridges hopes to expand his impact, not just by growing his business but by giving back in meaningful ways. He envisions partnering with local churches to provide free memberships to those struggling with health issues who cannot afford gym access. For Bridges, success is not just measured in numbers — it’s about the lives he touches. "If you have a dream, follow it. My faith in God brought me this far," he said. "It’s a grind — you get out what you put in."

1851 Franchise recently sat down with Bridges to talk about his franchising journey with Workout Anytime, his upcoming 5-year milestone and the deep sense of faith and purpose that drives his decision-making. Here’s what he had to say.

1851 Franchise: Can you tell us about your professional background before opening Workout Anytime in Calera and what led you to pursue this journey?

Cedric Bridges: I was an aviation maintenance technician for over 35 years. I first got introduced to Workout Anytime while living in Indianapolis, Indiana, through a mutual friend I worked with. We were partners in direct marketing, selling nutritional products. One of our upline contacts visited a Workout Anytime location in Kentucky, started talking with the owner about franchising and passed along the opportunity to us. My partner and I looked into it, and it seemed like a solid investment. This was around 2015, and we decided to open a location in Indianapolis, which launched in early 2016.

We successfully ran that location for about three years. Then, I felt a calling from God telling me it was time to return home to Alabama. Doors started opening that allowed me to retire from aviation, and I used part of my retirement to open a gym in Alabama. I grew up here and moved back in 2019. We opened our Calera location in March 2020, right at the onset of COVID. We were open for about two and a half weeks before Alabama shut down all gyms. It was a rough start, but we weathered the storm, and since reopening, we've been successful in maintaining a strong membership base and providing great customer service.

1851: Most people decide to franchise and then start looking for a brand. It sounds like you were interested in Workout Anytime from the get-go. Does that sound accurate?

Bridges: Yes. My whole life, I’ve been into physical fitness and healthy living, so when this opportunity was presented to me, it resonated immediately. My partner and I were both passionate about working out, and we saw this as something we could really enjoy doing. The biggest question was whether we could afford it financially. Everything just fell into place, and it felt like the right fit for me.

1851: What initially drew you to Workout Anytime, and how did you know it was the right fit for your goals and community?

Bridges: We attended a Discovery Day and visited a location. The way they structured their franchise was very appealing. At the time, neither of us wanted to quit our jobs, and Workout Anytime’s model allowed us to maintain our careers while hiring a manager to oversee daily operations. They provided strong support throughout the process, from buildout to financing, equipment and hiring. Being part of a franchise made it significantly easier than trying to start a gym on our own. We had no prior experience in brick-and-mortar businesses, so having a system in place and guidance from other franchise owners was invaluable.

1851: Can you tell us a little bit about your partner? How did you guys decide to start working together?

Bridges: My partner’s name is Dwayne Alexander, and he makes sure people spell it right. He owns the Workout Anytime in Noblesville, Indiana. Dwayne was instrumental in getting me involved with the brand. Like me, he was a fitness and nutrition enthusiast. We worked together in aviation, first at United Airlines, then at FedEx in Indianapolis after 9/11. We bonded over our shared Alabama roots, became good friends and, eventually, brothers in Christ. He invited me to partner with him, and that decision changed the course of my life. I had been wondering if aviation was what I wanted to do for the rest of my career, and when this opportunity came up, I knew it was the right path.

1851: Reflecting on the past five years, what have been the most significant milestones or achievements for your Workout Anytime gym?

Bridges: The biggest achievement was surviving COVID. Our pre-sale numbers were far below what’s typical for Workout Anytime — only around 100 members, when most locations see 500 to 800. Then, just weeks after opening, we had to shut down for two and a half months. When we reopened, there were occupancy restrictions, and we had to adjust our staffing model since 24/7 gyms required in-person staff at all times.

By June or July of 2020, things started turning around. Our membership grew rapidly, and within a year, we went from 100 members to about 1,700. That was a huge accomplishment.

1851: How has your gym positively impacted the Calera community? Are there any standout success stories you’d like to share?

Bridges: We get a lot of compliments on the environment we've created. We’ve worked hard to make it feel like a family-friendly facility where people feel comfortable. Our staff makes an effort to greet members, get to know them by name and create a welcoming atmosphere. We play Christian music at a low volume, which many members appreciate. The supportive and friendly environment has drawn in people with similar mindsets, making the gym a truly positive space.

One of our members recently told me she took a job on the other side of Birmingham, about a 25-minute drive away, but she’s staying in Calera because she doesn’t want to leave our gym. That kind of loyalty and connection speaks volumes about what we’ve built here.

1851: Other than the friendly, welcoming atmosphere, what sets your Workout Anytime location apart from other gyms?

Bridges: Our attention to cleanliness. Members consistently compliment how well-kept our gym is. That’s a core part of our brand — creating a safe, clean and welcoming environment. I tell my staff all the time: we don’t know what kind of day someone had before they walk in, so we want them to feel like they’re stepping into a sanctuary. Remembering members' names and providing excellent customer service makes a huge difference.

1851: The fitness industry is constantly evolving. How have you adapted to these changes to keep your gym competitive?

Bridges: Engagement is key. We’ve started implementing more challenges and activities to keep members motivated and help them reach their goals. We’re also focusing on expanding our presence in the community and supporting other local businesses. Social media has been a big help, and while I’m not great at it personally, I have someone who handles it for us.

1851: We touched on COVID. What are some other memorable moments or challenges you’ve experienced as a franchisee, and how have those shaped your journey?

Bridges: One of the biggest challenges has been staffing, especially finding personal trainers who fit our culture. We had a high turnover for nearly a year, which was frustrating. It’s tough to find the right people — you can’t really know if someone is a good fit until they start working. My wife gets emotionally attached to staff, and when things don’t work out, it’s hard on her. I try to keep a business mindset, but it’s still difficult.

1851: Any plans to celebrate this 5-year anniversary?

Bridges: Honestly, I hadn’t even thought about it until you mentioned it! Maybe we’ll plan an appreciation day for our members — I’ll have to talk to my wife and marketing manager about it.

1851: As you celebrate this milestone, what do you see for the future of your Workout Anytime location? Any new initiatives or plans on the horizon?

Bridges: I’d love to expand, but we don’t have room right now unless a neighboring space opens up. Beyond that, we want to increase our community involvement. One idea I have is partnering with local churches to offer free memberships to people struggling with health issues who can’t afford a gym.

1851: Is there anything else about your story that you want people to know?

Bridges: If you have a dream, follow it. My faith in God brought me this far. I had no prior business experience, but I surrounded myself with people who were smarter than me and learned from them. It’s a grind — you get out what you put in. This never feels like a job to me. Aviation was a job; this is my passion. If you’re getting into franchising just for the money, it’s not going to work. You have to truly care about it.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/workoutanytime.

ABOUT WORKOUT ANYTIME:

Atlanta-based Workout Anytime is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week fitness concept with over 200 units across the U.S. Founded by fitness veterans John Quattrocchi and Steve Strickland, the company was formed to provide members with first-class fitness facilities at the lowest cost possible while delivering a profitable and affordable business model to franchisees. Built on the founders’ motto of “think big, keep it simple and do it with integrity,” Workout Anytime is preparing for significant expansion into new territories across the U.S. and Central America by providing opportunities to business-minded entrepreneurs. Franchise opportunities are available, and more information can be found on http://workoutanytimefranchise.com/.