Ultimate Body Factory has opened in the Allendale Shopping Center (5 Cheshire Road) in Pittsfield. Located in a renovated 8,500-square-foot space, the gym and fitness center is co-owned by two area enthusiasts and Pittsfield residents, AJ Bowman and Geoff Powell. “Geoff is well-respected for his expertise,” said Bowman. “For me, fitness is a passion, and I love working out. We met at other gyms, and we became friends.”
He explained that the idea came about from casual conversations. Although the area has a mix of excellent fitness centers, the pair believed some key elements were missing. “We both saw a need for something new in Berkshire County to complement and add to what is already available,” he said. “At first, we were just tossing around ideas of what we’d like to see in an ideal fitness center. We have also gone to gyms in other locations when we travelled, and we had collected ideas from that.”
They eventually took the idea more seriously—and in 2024, finally decided to take the plunge and develop a concept and business plan. Since opening, Bowman and Powell have maintained their other jobs. Bowman is the founder and owner of Boatman, a Pittsfield-based business that produces and sells shoes, bags, and other accessories made with sustainable materials such as cactus leather and natural rubber. Powell is an officer in the Dalton Police Department.
Bowman acknowledged that transforming their ideas into reality required much thought, preparation, and patience. That included raising the necessary financing, which proved challenging before obtaining a loan from Lee Bank. “They’ve been great and have worked closely with us to make this happen,” he said. “Frankly, we couldn’t have done it without them.” He preferred not to reveal the specific investment cost.
Powell and Bowman also searched for a suitable site and eventually found their present location. It had previously been occupied by Wood Brothers, a longstanding music store that was relocating to another storefront in the shopping center. “This space was perfect for us,” said Bowman. They signed a lease in September and began remodeling and equipping it. They also set up Facebook and Instagram accounts and a website, regularly releasing video updates on their progress.
The overall concept for the Ultimate Body Factory, Bowman explained, is to establish it as a state-of-the-art gym and fitness center that provides an optimal environment for men and women at all levels, from beginners to competitive athletes and bodybuilders. (The minimum age is 13.) Fees vary and include basic monthly memberships at $50 as well as day, weekly, and monthly passes. A cap on the number of memberships helps avoid overcrowding.
One essential goal was fostering a positive sense of community and providing personalized service. “A gym should be much more than just a workout spot,” he stated. “People should not feel that they have to go to the gym as a chore. Instead, it should be a place they want to go because it offers a sense of belonging and makes them feel like they’re a part of something.”
In addition to the two partners, the gym has a staff of six to assist and support clients. They will also help arrange certified personal trainers for customers. “We don’t offer classes yet, but that’s something we will add,” said Bowman. Among other features, the décor combines blue and white lighting, which is believed to encourage a sense of motivation. A small seating lounge offers a place for people to relax and socialize. There are two locker rooms. Bowman noted that it does not have a sauna, but they plan to install one.
A second basic goal was to offer a comprehensive selection of cardiovascular fitness and weight training. The center of the facility is a large room divided into uses, with a turf training area and specialized zones for both strength training and conditioning. “When people first see it, they go, ‘Wow,’” noted Bowman. There is a wide array of equipment, including weights and resistance machines, treadmills, rowing, ellipticals, cycles, and stair climbers, among others.
“One of the things that sets us apart is that we’ve brought in specific premium equipment that hasn’t been available in this region,” Bowman said. To plan and equip their facility, they worked with SuperFitness, a large equipment supplier based in North Carolina. According to Bowman, among the unique machines they have are the Arsenal Pendulum Squat, Arsenal Chest Fly and Shoulder Fly, Arsenal Flat Chest Press, Rodgers Squat, Nautilus Hack Squat, and Nautilus Leg Press.
Bowman added that they have plans to expand as the business evolves. “One advantage of being in Allendale is that there are opportunities to add more space within the complex as we grow,” he said.
The initial response has been encouraging. “People have been extremely supportive and enthusiastic,” he said. “It’s also very satisfying because we believe we are doing something really good for the community.”
