On Dec. 8, the much-anticipated Tremont Athletic Club, 2306 West 17^th Street in the Fairmont Creamery building, opened with little fanfare.

"We simply walked to the front door at 5 a.m. and unlocked it," says managing member and majority owner Nick White. "That was the grand opening."

Considering the club already had 300 members courtesy of pre-opening sales drives (and now nearly 400), the move underscores White's approach to the business of running a fitness center.

"We're not interested in the slick marketing and the hype of getting people in the door," he says. "We're trying to be straightforward. So often the deals you see in this industry are anything but. You always end up paying on the back end whether it be in fees or parking tickets, somehow they get their pound of flesh."

Qhite vows not to charge surprise fees and offers a simple membership plan: $60 per month with a one-year commitment. A one-month pass can be had for $75 and a day pass for $20, but White adds that special deals may be available for those interested in trying out the gym prior to securing a membership. Members can always bring a guest for free.

Amenities in the 14,000-square-foot facility include two full strength circuits, 35 cardio machines, a functional training area, a free weight room, a large class area, towel service, saunas and multi-use lockers that do not require a lock and are reset with every use.

Most classes are free with membership and include offerings such as Kettle Bell Happy Hour, Cardio Blast, Three Sisters Yoga and Butts & Guts. Hot yoga will be offered shortly.

"We're trying to get a nice varied collection of classes," says White.

Members can look forward to possible rooftop offerings such as sunrise yoga as well, although that space is not yet built out.

The club, which has been under construction for about a year, is the anchor tenant in the Fairmont Creamery building. The architect on the job was (ARC)form LLC. The building is also home to 30 apartments, all of which have been leased, and businesses such as Twist Creative and the soon-to-open Good to Go Café, which will no doubt be a favorite fueling spot for gym-goers.

"We'll have the best juice bar of any gym I've ever known," says White of Good to Go Café proprietor Anna Harouvis's natural and health-conscious concoctions.

Club hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The space is commercially cleaned after hours three times a week.

What's to love most about the Tremont Athletic Club? White enumerates: "It's an old creamery. It's an industrial space. It's got tons of natural light. It's got all brand new equipment and we keep it spotless." He also touts stunning views of the city for those who choose window gazing over the televisions aboard each treadmill. Mostly, however, White sees the venture as a much-needed service in the Tremont neighborhood.

"We really understand that this area has no fitness center," he says. "People here need a place to exercise."