The Manchester Athletic Club is building more than just its members' muscles these days.

The business is expanding into Gloucester which will not only help more Cape Ann residents stay healthy — but help the local economy as well. The new gym located on Whistlestop Way next to the Commuter Rail Station is slated to open in early December and will be known as "MAC Fitness."

"We are really proud that in this economy we were able to get financing, create jobs (in Gloucester) and expand our business," said Jay Herson, assistant general manager at the Manchester Athletic Club. "The strength of the fitness industry on Cape Ann is strong."

Herson said that despite the current economic situation, the club's membership in Manchester has been up by 10 percent with many members coming in from Gloucester. And because of this strong membership from the city, the company started looking into a new location in Gloucester since last January before settling on the Whistlestop Way location.

"We already had members from Gloucester," said Herson, "and we knew we had an opportunity (in the city) and thought our brand of fitness would work well in Gloucester."

Herson said it was the staff, equipment and the experience that sets MAC apart from other gyms.

Kurt Gross, the manager at Fitness Zone located in the Blackburn Industrial Park, said he welcomes the competition.

"It is a sign people are getting involved in fitness more than ever," said Gross. "There is room for everybody, I think it is great."

Gross also said the industry is growing and every gym offers something different. He said that MAC Fitness will most likely attract people that don't already have gym memberships. Herson agrees, saying that many people who have signed up so far to join MAC Fitness don't belong to a gym, many of them work in Boston and take the train.

Susan Macchi Heusley, who grew up in Gloucester and is now the manager of MAC Fitness, said beyond offering state-of-the-art fitness equipment they are also offering personal training, locker rooms and a juice bar. The space was designed to be very open with lots of large windows to let natural light in, but does not include a pool and tennis courts like the facility in Manchester.

"People are doing more personal training, people are working out more, it makes them feel good," said Herson.

The club is now offering pre-opening specials for membership at $37 a month with no joining fee until the end of the month. After that the cost will be $39 a month with year commitment and a $99 joining fee. These fees are only applicable to the new Gloucester gym. If members would like to use the Manchester location and the Gloucester location they have to purchase a membership at $76 a month with a $120 joining fee.

Before even opening, MAC Fitness has shown a commitment to the Gloucester community by sponsoring the triathlon and it will also have a raffle set up at the Gloucester Thanksgiving football game with the proceeds going toward the booster club.

"We've been excited about the opening and the rate of people signing up and there should be more when we open," said Herson.

"We've been around for 30 years (in Manchester) and we are here to stay," he said.

For more information or to get a membership, call 978-283-8900.

Reporter Jonathan Phelps can be reached at gt_reporter@gloucestertimes.com. or at 978-283-7000, x3447.