Bodyplex offers unique local fitness experience

Published 12:15 pm Monday, January 30, 2023

Fitness has always played a major part in Adam Shields’ life in some form or another. His parents “highly valued” exercise and Shields said that he took joy in taking part. When he was high school, however, his mom wouldn’t pay for his gym membership. Instead, she offered to take Shields to the gym and see if he could get a job there. 

“So, at 15 years old, I started working at the first Bodyplex there ever was cleaning the weights,” Shields said. “For the last 23 years, there has never been a time that I did not work for a Bodyplex in some capacity.” 

That includes the time that Shields spent in college at the University of Georgia, where he worked on the weekends as a manager at various locations.

After graduating college, Shields was presented a “unique opportunity” when company training held at Bodyplex’s Grayson location brought him together with Dr. Mike Martino. Shields led some of the training. He had a conversation with Martino that resulted in a job offer in Milledgeville. 

Shields took the offer, making the move to Milledgeville in 2009, mostly because he really enjoyed the world of fitness. He and Martino became partners at Bodyplex Milledgeville, where Shields has worked ever since. Additionally, Shields also owns another Bodyplex in the Grayson area in Gwinnett County.

Bodyplex Milledgeville provides the Milledgeville and middle Georgia communities with a unique fitness experience. Bodyplex offers access to plenty of gym equipment and a variety of classes for members. According to Shields, most people pay around $28.99 a month for a membership and there are also add-ons to choose from (such as child care and personal trainers). However, for those just looking for a basic gym membership, Shields said the price point is about $24.99 a month for 24/7 access. Bodyplex Milledgeville is also the only club in the area that offers group fitness classes. 

Locally-owned and operated, Bodyplex Milledgeville has been nominated for the Small Business of the Year award by Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce three times (winning once in 2014) and the business is also a frequent contributor to local causes. For the past two years, Bodyplex Milledgeville has hosted a Trunk or Treat event for the community at Halloween. Local business owners who are members of the gym are invited to take part in the free event.

“Everybody that works in our building has a passion and desire to help others. When I wanted to get a gym membership and get my first job there when I was 15, I obviously didn’t have the perspective about fitness then, that I do now,” Shields said. “At the end of the day, if you can help somebody feel a little better, look a little better, and have a little bit of a better life all while being able to wear gym shorts and tennis shoes to work every day. There’s a lot worse things that we could be doing.”