Anytime Fitness owner opens nutrition store

BARSTOW • As the owner of a 24-hour fitness club, it should come as no surprise Aaron Miller is big on convenience.

It led him to open Anytime Fitness two years ago and now Rock Body Nutrition, which he calls Barstow’s first nutrition store, next door to the 1251 East Main Street gym.

The Barstow High School graduate and fitness enthusiast said he was frequently frustrated

by the lack of workout supplement options in Barstow. His options were limited to driving or mail-ordering from a Web site.

 “I’d always go online or go to Victorville to get my supplements,” Miller said. “There wasn’t any place around here that actually had good variety or selection at good pricing.”

Figuring others shared his frustrations, he opened Rock Body Nutrition in Barstow on Nov. 10.

“It’s pointless for people to go to Victorville, some other place or online,” Miller said. “You actually get the same pricing or even better here. Convenience is always key because you can get the product now instead of waiting for it or driving 30 miles.”

Rock Body Nutrition officially opened on Nov. 10 and contains everything from energy bars to vitamins to protein powder mixes to appetite-suppressing lip balm. The selection also includes organic, vegetarian and soy-based products and ones produced specifically for men or women.

Solomon Montano said he shared Miller’s experience when he came to check out the store during its grand opening Friday. Supplements help him compliment his workout but until now he drove to Victorville obtain them.

“It seems like a good idea,” Montano. “I’m sure people don’t want to go all the way to Victorville to get products that they could get here.”

Miller got the idea to open a nutrition store six month ago and began seriously working toward opening it three months ago. Having started Anytime Fitness franchises in Barstow, Victorville and Apple Valley, he said opening his own store was a smooth experience.

“Actually from having gone to so many expos and conventions in this industry — the fitness and health industry — opening up this was kind of like a piece of cake. It came together very easy since the gym and the nutrition shop are in the same field.”

The space was formerly used by a dance studio. While transforming it into a nutrition store, Miller also recently added 1,200 square feet onto Anytime Fitness for kickboxing, yoga and zumba classes.

Having opened several business, Miller has ambitious plans for Rock Body Nutrition. Eventually he’d like to add a nutritionist so customers can set up appointments at the store and create their own nutrition plan.

And he’s thought about perhaps one-day turning Rock Body Nutrition into a franchise of his own — one that could help save others in small towns from long drives or long waits.

“Eventually I’d like to franchise this out,” Miller said. “Keep it small keep, keep it price competitive in a smaller town and I think we’ll do really well.”

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4124 or
mpeters@desertdispatch.com