Last November, we walked into a community meeting with a clock running. At the time, our projected last day was February 15, 2026.
Today, we’re still here. We secured a new 5 year lease.
This post is the story of what we were up against, how we handled it, and how our community carried this place when it mattered most.
The moment everything got shaky
When you run a neighborhood gym, you learn something fast. People join for community, not machines.
For many of our members, especially seniors, the gym is the anchor that keeps everything else steady. The same drive. The same familiar faces. The same trainer who notices your gait and fixes it before it becomes a problem. The same class that keeps your balance sharp and your confidence up.
So when our lease was terminated and the future got uncertain, it landed hard. We’re a 36 year Clairemont fixture. We’ve built something rare: a welcoming, affordable gym where older adults feel comfortable staying consistent.
Why this mattered so much for seniors
A lot of gyms sell intensity. We’ve always focused on outcomes that actually protect your life.
Strength that makes stairs easier. Mobility that keeps you independent. Balance that reduces the risk of a fall. Consistency that helps you stay out of the hospital. A routine that keeps your mind calmer and your days more stable.
You heard it in the voices at November’s meeting. People talked about losing weight, improving bone density, managing multiple sclerosis, and rebuilding strength they thought was gone. They also talked about something most people overlook until it’s threatened: belonging.
Members check on each other here. Friendships form. People notice when someone disappears for a few days. That kind of social accountability is powerful, especially for older adults who live alone.
How we handled it
We kept doing the work. We kept classes running. We kept training sessions moving forward. We communicated clearly, even when the news was tough.
We also asked for help. That’s not easy for any small business, but we knew what was at stake for our members. Losing this location would have meant losing convenience, familiarity, and affordability all at once. For a senior routine, that’s a brutal combination.
So we made sure the story was heard.
How our community showed up
This is where Clairemont did what Clairemont does.
Members packed meetings. People made calls. There were demonstrations, town halls, and a steady drumbeat of support that stayed loud long after the first headlines faded. When CBS 8 covered what was happening, it amplified the message, and it helped keep pressure on the people who could influence the outcome.
We’re grateful for every person who spoke, wrote, called, shared, and showed up in person. That effort mattered because it was a full room of neighbors saying, “This place has value, and we’re not letting it disappear quietly.”
The result: a 5 year lease and a fresh start
In late January, we sent the email our members had been waiting for. We’re staying open, with a new 5 year lease.
That’s a win worth celebrating. It’s also a responsibility.
Rent is going up, and our pricing will have to adjust over time. Even so, the value remains clear when you compare it to the real cost of losing your routine. One missed month turns into three. Strength drops faster with age. Confidence follows. Then the simple things start feeling harder than they should.
This gym protects against that slide. That’s why the community fought so hard.
What this means now
Since all of this started, our Mira Mesa location has closed. Clairemont is home. This is where our community is, and we’re here for the long haul.
If you’ve been meaning to get back into a routine, take this moment as your sign. The hardest part is starting again. Once you have a place that feels familiar, the rest gets easier.