ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Elk Grove community members are rallying to support The Camp, a local fitness center that has grown into more than just a place to work out. For many, it has become a second home, offering a safe environment to reach health goals while celebrating the successes of its members.

Owners Randy and Lori Reid launched a GoFundMe campaign at the beginning of December to raise funds to keep the center operating.

Randy Reid told the Elk Grove Citizen that after two years in business, the center has yet to break even or turn a profit. He said he and his wife, a respiratory therapist and intensive care unit nurse, both continue to work full-time, and rising expenses have made keeping the center open increasingly difficult.

“We always found a way to get them (clients) their program at a price they could handle, but by doing so, I want to say we’ve undervalued ourselves,” he said.

Amid these financial pressures, the local community the couple has built has stepped up to help sustain the business. Reid noted that loyal clients have contributed through donations or by choosing higher-rate programs.

 

Six-week program participant Jennie Romero of The Camp Elk Grove holds a sign showing a 12.9-pound weight loss. 

“They’ve really come together as a community, so as Elk Grove goes, we love Elk Grove,” Reid added.

However, reaching their $15,000 goal to sustain operations and preserve what they’ve built requires greater awareness to continue providing this valuable resource to residents.

The Camp Transformation Center is a franchise with more than 100 locations nationwide, known for six-week weight loss challenges, group training and nutritional guidance.

The couple opened their business at 9675 Elk Grove Florin Road in 2023 after experiencing a center in Livermore, near their home, Reid said. As healthcare providers, they believed in the program and wanted to bring their expertise to provide additional support, introducing The Camp to Elk Grove and the surrounding Sacramento community.

The center’s six-week program features detailed nutrition plans and regular InBody scans to monitor muscle and fat composition. Reid explained that while weight changes may not always appear immediately on the scale, participants often experience positive shifts in muscle development and overall body composition.

“We don’t give medical advice, but from our 20-plus years of experience in the hospital, we’ve seen and worked with patients on all kinds of medications…” Reid said. “I feel like we have the ability to speak to a lot of things and connect on a patient level, saying, ‘Yeah, I’ve seen patients like this.’”

 

The Camp Elk Grove, a locally owned fitness center on Elk Grove Florin Road, is seeking community support to remain open. Photos courtesy of The Camp Elk Grove

Over the years, Reid said he has seen remarkable success stories that showcase both the effectiveness of their programs as well as the center’s strong sense of support.

“I’ve had a few clients come in and a month and a half or two months into our program they’re like, ‘Oh, my God; you’ve saved my life. I was literally contemplating suicide,’” he said.

Reid added that many participants at The Camp Elk Grove form lasting friendships, and he has seen individuals gain confidence that helps them to navigate difficult periods in their lives.

“Knowing everybody’s story is pretty amazing, and that’s what we really got into the business for, was helping people,” Reid said.

He explained that reaching the fundraising goal will help keep the center open and support additional programs, including pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation for patients who have completed related medical treatments.

“We’re trying to develop some other programs that are even above what The Camp franchise offers because there’s a set population out there that definitely needs a place to go and have exercise that fits what they feel they can do,” Reid said.

Those interested in supporting The Camp Elk Grove can make donations through their GoFundMe at bit.ly/3Y78JnD (case sensitive).

 

Pictured is Christine Cornejo, celebrating a 10.4-pound weight loss in The Camp Elk Grove’s six-week program.