Rodney Steven II and his Genesis Health Clubs acquire two new clubs close to home

When Vasa Fitness entered the Wichita market in 2018, the chain billed itself as an inexpensive place to work out.

Now, Genesis Health Clubs has purchased Wichita’s two Vasas, and owner Rodney Steven II said they still will be economical options.

“All current member prices will not be changed,” he said.

Steven said he’s been in the health club business 28 years, and he said he’s “never raised a member rate before.”

“Whatever you join up for, that’s your rate for life.”

Although Utah-based Vasa advertised low rates for a no-frills workout, Steven said there are a lot of different membership levels.

“There was a lot of different membership options there, and we will still maintain those options.”

There are Vasa locations at 21st and Woodlawn and near Harry and Georgetown, which was part of the attraction for Steven.

“I’ve never served the south side of town . . . so this is going to be perfect for us.”

With the new Genesis coming to Goddard soon, there will be seven Wichita-area Genesis clubs for members to visit.

Steven now has almost 60 clubs with almost 5,000 employees in six states.

“I’m traveling so much, it’s nice to be able to also reinvest in Wichita.”

He said the Vasa sites are “both pretty brand-new facilities,” so he won’t have to do much other than rebrand them with the Genesis name and look.

Steven is not looking to acquire or open any other new Wichita-area clubs at the moment.

“Goddard is my sole focus right now.”

He has five new baseball fields opening at the end of this month at his Genesis Sports Complex in Goddard, and the new Genesis Health Club should open within 30 days. His new Blast Off Bay water park should open another 30 days after that followed by the Goddard Hampton Inn.

After a delay in the Goddard project, Steven said, “It’s so close.”

This story was originally published May 9, 2022 at 2:14 PM.