Business
News
Brothers
really exercise their faith
By NADIA MARIA SMITH
CS&T Staff Writer
It would not be unusual to see posters at a church about developing
virtues and keeping centered on God. But at a gym?
Well, that’s what you will see when you look around between sets
at the World Gym Fitness Center in Northeast Philadelphia: unassuming
posters of athletes at their sport, along with sayings such as, “God
always loves when we give our best,” and, “In Christ, I
can do all things.”
The gym even has a prayer room, and it was blessed when the fitness
center opened.
Robert Boyle, who owns the gym with his brother, Joseph, says the two
men believe in “bringing God, very gently” into the sports
arena.
“Over the years we have found the members like to see the signs,
and we kept improving on that,” Robert Boyle said.
That is one way the brothers help to keep their clients and themselves
from becoming too focused on their appearance — and to remember
where the real glory belongs, Boyle added.
The Boyle brothers grew up in Maternity B.V.M. Parish and graduated
from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School. Joseph Boyle graduated from
St. Joseph’s University and Robert Boyle graduated from West Point.
Since their childhood, their faith is at the center of all they do.
That’s why the World Gym is more than a business for them it is
a form of ministry.
In addition to the amenities a 24- hour- a-day, fully equipped gym offers,
the World Gym is also home to a number of additional programs that Robert
Boyle describes as “wholesome and good.”
Those programs include the archdiocesan Deaf Apostolate World Gym day,
when about 40 young people have free access to the gym in a day that
combines physical activity and catechetics.
“Many times you think you are helping the deaf when you offer
to do something like this,” Boyle said. “But what you actually
find out is how much it helps you.
You see how they deal with their challenges with such a smile,”
he added. “I would say it has very much moved the members, and
put things into perspective.”
The Boyles have also hosted some atypical events at their gym. They
welcomed the St. Luke’s Production plays about the life of St.
Thérèse of Lisieux, for instance, and have offered a Divine
Mercy Chaplet evening of prayer and procession.
The gym also serves as headquarters for the National Personal Training
Institute — a national, accredited school for personal training
— and for Philadelphia Soccer, a non-profit program that has developed
many young professional soccer players from the region.
The center also offers Irish dancing lessons, boxing lessons and other
classes.
“That’s the really exciting thing about the gym —
it has become a home for several personal endeavors … and we are
proud and glad to be able to help,” Boyle said.
The brothers say their mission is to provide an atmosphere where physical,
spiritual and emotional health are all considered.
For the Boyles, the gym is their answer to the Second Vatican Council’s
call to “bring Christ into the center of the community.”
The World Gym is located at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA
19116. For more information call (215) 677-1496. Membership for religious
is free.
CS&T staff writer Nadia Maria Smith may be reached at npozo@adphila.org
or (215) 965-4614.