Meet Jim Flynn and M.J. Benavente of Gatewood. You might know Jim better as “JumboJim,” the handle he uses when commenting (or forum’ing) on WSB. Our archives show his participation goes back at least a year and a quarter – to a time when only about 25% of the current readership was stopping by – so we wanted to give his new business a special shoutout, once we found out he was behind it. It’s been mentioned on WSB before – a new fitness center coming to Jefferson Square, Snap Fitness, in the former West Seattle Animal Hospital space next to Subway (WSAH is elsewhere in JSq now); they’ve even posted jobs in the WSB “West Seattle Jobs Offered” Forum, but until a few days ago, we didn’t know who was behind it. Here’s a little more about what Jim and M.J. have in store:

First word we got that they’re the club owners came in this news release e-mailed to WSB:

Finding time to work out is about to become a whole lot easier for West Seattle residents. M.J. Benavente and Jim Flynn, both West Seattle residents are opening “Snap Fitness,” a twenty-four hour fitness club providing a clean, convenient and secure all-hours facility. The club will be located next to the Subway in Jefferson Square, with free, validated parking for members in the lower level parking lot.

Easier and more affordable than larger, “big box” health clubs, Snap Fitness offers a 24-hour a day, 365 days a year exercise alternative for busy individuals who want to stay active and fit without sacrificing time and convenience.

“We’re an alternative to the big box clubs,” said owner M.J. Benavente. “We offer the same state-of-the-art equipment, but we are able to keep our membership costs low by focusing on what experience shows people really need to get fit: cardio and weight training equipment and personal trainers. A great benefit for Snap Fitness members is that there are no contracts to commit to, and memberships can be frozen anytime.”

In addition to offering the latest equipment, including state-of-the art Cybex “ARC” machines, treadmills, free weights and plasma screen televisions, West Seattle’s Snap Fitness will also offer personal training services with a certified fitness professional.

“Now that the Alaska Junction is becoming a little less sleepy at night we’re looking forward to giving people a late night/early A.M. workout option in a safe environment,” said Flynn.

As a 24-hour-a-day facility, security is a primary concern for Benavente and Flynn. The club doors remain locked at all times, and members enter the club with an electronic keycard. The security system includes surveillance cameras, window and door alarms, panic alarms in the club and portable panic alarms that members can keep with them during workouts. Club users will be able to exercise any time, day or night, and feel secure in their environment.

The affordability and convenience that Snap offers is something that we’re very excited to offer West Seattleites, and we want to invite everyone to come in and give us a try.

Jim says they’re hoping for a “soft opening” around the third week of September, but are enrolling members online now. (Here’s their website.) He also sent along the layout of the club – click the image to see a larger version, in which you should be able to read the text:

He adds, “The most important thing I’m hoping to get across to WSB readers is that we are a locally-owned business. We are part of the Snap franchise ‘chain,’ but it is our money (not to mention blood, sweat and tears) that are putting this business together.”