Baldwin Athletic Club (BAC) is celebrating 13 years of operation and motivating the community to exercise.

‘‘I have no desire to do anything else in my life besides help people change their thinking and their concept about exercise, because everybody can,” BAC owner George McCrary said. “You don’t have to be athletic. You have to discipline yourself, and to do that you have to practice. That’s the part that I want to be involved with for as long as I can do this.”

When McCrary opened BAC, it was his intent and dream to provide area residents with 24/7 access to exercise.

The club is now one of three facilities in the state to offer the Fitness on Demand program. Classes are held in a separate room attached to the main gym.

“The Fitness On Demand program is killer,” freshman track athlete and two-year BAC member Morgan Lober said. “I have done a lot of the videos on there and they are no joke. My favorite part about it is that the videos are located in their own room so you can look like a fool and nobody will see you. I also enjoy them because they’re real people doing them with you, not just some coach or trainer telling you to do them.”

BAC also has tanning beds and a juice bar. The club offers classes such as therapeutic, hatha and restorative yoga to members during the week.

“I love being able to go whenever I am free,” sophomore and BAC member Lauren Freking said. “I’m too busy during the day to work with the hours of the Baker fitness center. The biggest perk is also being able to get a protein shake there after my workout because I love eating healthy, which is hard to do in college, and this is one of the only places in Baldwin to get a protein shake.”

Some students prefer to work out and train at the BAC rather than the Baker weight room. Freking says the club is more accessible and isn’t crowded with athletic teams.

“I love the atmosphere it provides versus the gym here at Baker,” Freking said. “It is more open and the air conditioner is at the right level for people to work out with. I gain a more accessible, positive and better atmosphere to work out in.”

Lober thinks BAC has helped her become a better athlete.

“By being a member of the Baldwin Athletic Club, I gain the athletic improvements as a runner,” Lober said. “I know so many people through the athletic club and I wouldn’t be the athlete I am without it. From the littlest things, the water bottles, to the training sessions. It is a great community business that offers so many things for people.”

McCrary said his mentality is that if he helps other people with their goals and objectives, everything he needs and wants in life will be met. Lober believes that motivation translates in to helping motivate his club members.

“My favorite part about the Baldwin Athletic Club is the owner,” Lober said. “If you didn’t know him (before becoming a member) you would very easily get to know him because he is there almost all the time and he also is very friendly. He greets you when you walk in and he motivates you during your workout.”

BAC celebrated its 13th anniversary on Sept. 26. For those interested in becoming a member of the gym or finding more information, click here<a href="http://www.baldwinathleticclub.com/">click here</a>. . click here.