Long-time trainers Tim and Kristen Anderson to open new gym on Oct. 28, 2024
When it comes to the health and fitness industry, Cliff Buchholz has been a player since 1978, when he started The Tennis Center (now Genesis Miramont North) in Fort Collins. It’s even longer when you consider he was a tennis professional in the 1960s and a high school state tennis champion before that. So, when Buchholz says he’s seeing an evolution in the industry, people should take notice. And that’s precisely what he’s seeing with the opening of Valor Elite Training (3350 Eastbrook Drive, Suite 100), which he has joined as the inaugural member. The 3,200-square-foot facility will open to the public on Monday, Oct. 28.
The owners, Tim and Kristen Anderson, bring with them a long track record as highly successful personal trainers. Tim started in the fitness industry in 1999 when Buchholz selected him for an internship at Miramont Fitness Center. After Tim graduated with a corporate wellness degree from Northwest Missouri State, Cliff hired him at Miramont as a personal trainer, and he ended up leading Miramont’s training department.
Tim and Kristen Anderson
What makes Valor Elite different? The Andersons say it’s their commitment to empowering individuals to achieve their highest potential through strength, determination and a relentless pursuit of their goals.
“We believe in fostering overall health and wellness, recognizing that true strength is not only physical but also mental,” Tim says. “I think what makes our club and company unique and special is that we get amazing results while ensuring everyone enjoys themselves.”
Buchholz always knew Tim was an exceptional trainer. After Genesis bought Miramont in 2017, Tim was twice ranked the number-one trainer for all 60 Genesis clubs, including three locations in Fort Collins. “He is the best that the industry has,” says Buchholz, who has trained with Tim for almost 10 years.
“I was with Miramont for 19 years and Genesis for two years before starting Valor Elite Training,” Tim says. “Kristen has been a personal trainer for the past 19 years and has decades of health club experience. In 2008, she won the National Physique Committee title in physique and lightweight bodybuilding.”
Beacon Construction purchased the 19,000-square-foot building across Timberline Road from Fort Collins High School in May, says Tyler Texeira, owner of Beacon Construction.
“Tyler and I started training together 14 years ago at Miramont,” Tim says. “When he purchased this building, he wanted me to look at it because he thought it would be a perfect place to have a fitness center. And he was right.”
“It’s a great building in a great location,” Texeira says. “We moved Beacon’s headquarters here and occupy 2,700 square feet while a residential development company is taking 1,500 square feet. Having a locally owned personal training gym in our building is a huge plus, especially since we still have about half the building to fill.”
Tim and Kristen believe that fitness and wellness are “way more than just strength and cardiovascular training,” so they designed a space within the club for Schroeder Massage. “Bringing on Matthew Schroeder makes our club way more well-rounded to keep people healthy and both emotionally and physically strong. Matthew came strongly recommended by a few of our clients, and after meeting him, I couldn’t agree more. It is a great fit.”
What makes a club successful?
“Customer service,” Buchholz says. “I have no doubt that with Tim and Kristen and their great personalities running Valor Elite, it will be successful; they truly understand the importance of customer service and know how to satisfy clients. Valor Elite is offering a combination of a personal training facility and a place where I can go and work out on my own. This makes that club special: It’s the combination of personal training and health club; the evolution of the fitness center. Plus, Tim and Kristen will know your spouse’s and kids’ names, so it feels like a personal club.”
