‘‘When customers enter our store, they are invited to journey along our path to fitness,” says Frank Williams, manager of Leisure Fitness in Bethesda. The winding path allows patrons to not only learn about the types of equipment Leisure Fitness carries, but about the manufacturers the company has chosen to represent.

Educating consumers is a priority. ‘‘It’s in everybody’s interest to ensure that the equipment someone buys is the best choice for their unique fitness needs,” he says. To accomplish this, Williams and his staff of trained professionals take time to explore a customer’s goals, desires, level of fitness, previous injuries, and budget to help them select the most appropriate piece of equipment.

Test drives are recommended. ‘‘I invite customers to do a full workout on whatever piece they’re considering,” says Williams. ‘‘They should work the equipment here just like they would at home.”

The brainchild of Silver Spring native Katina Geralis, Leisure Fitness had roughly $40 million in sales last year. The company continues to be the nation’s top dealer for Precor and Bowflex fitness equipment. And, it is the only fitness equipment dealer in the Mid-Atlantic region to stock 13 of Consumer Reports’ top-rated fitness products.

Leisure Fitness also offers customer support and service. ‘‘I always encourage customers to read their owners’ manual,” says Williams. ‘‘But, if they can’t figure something out, I’ll set aside time for them to come in so that I can answer questions and actually show them how it works,” he says.

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