Crunch Fitness Is Coming to Arlington's Gazebo Shopping Center: The Gym Jobs to Prep For

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Crunch Fitness is planning a new gym in Old Arlington. A city permit application reported this month puts the club in the Gazebo Shopping Center at University Boulevard and Fort Caroline Road, with a renovation estimated at $1.7 million and a target opening at the end of 2026 or early 2027.

A 34,546-square-foot gym needs a full crew to open its doors. No hiring has been announced yet, so this is the time to get ready, not the time to wait.

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📍 Business at a Glance

Business	Crunch Fitness (franchise location)
Address	Gazebo Shopping Center, 5566 Fort Caroline Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32277
Size	34,546 square feet
Build-out	About $1.7 million, per the city permit application
Expected opening	End of 2026 or early 2027 (no firm date announced)
Franchisee	Sean Phillips
Industry	Health and fitness
New jobs	Not announced

What's Going Into the Gazebo Center

The Jacksonville Daily Record first reported the permit, and WhatNow Jacksonville followed with the details. The plan calls for locker rooms, restrooms, showers, a tanning area and a floor of exercise equipment, along with new HVAC, electrical and plumbing work. That is a full-size club, not a boutique studio.

The site sits on the southeast corner of University and Fort Caroline in Old Arlington, a short drive from Jacksonville University and the Merrill Road corridor.

Neither the franchisee nor Crunch's corporate office answered reporters' requests for comment, so the opening date is still a target, not a promise.

💼 The Jobs a Club This Size Usually Needs

Crunch has not posted openings or a headcount for this location, and we are not going to guess at one. What we can tell you is how big-box gyms are typically staffed, because the roles barely change from club to club:

Front desk and member services covering early mornings, nights and weekends
Membership sales, usually base pay plus commission
Personal trainers, who generally need a national certification such as NASM, ACE or ACSM
Group fitness instructors, often paid per class
Kids club childcare attendants, where the club offers childcare
Cleaning and facilities staff to keep the floor, locker rooms and equipment running
Club management, including a general manager and assistant managers

New franchise gyms often start hiring during a membership presale, weeks before the doors open. That first wave is when whole teams get built at once and early applicants have the best odds.

💵 What Gym Work Pays in Jacksonville

Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, according to FloridaCommerce. State law sets one floor across Duval County. Treat that as the bottom, not the going rate. Trainer pay depends heavily on certification, sessions booked and commission, and sales roles swing with how many memberships you close. Ask how pay is structured before you accept an offer.

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✅ How to Be First in Line

Get certified now. If you want to train, a national certification takes weeks to finish. Start before the club opens, not after.
Watch for presale signs. When banners and a sales trailer show up at the Gazebo center, hiring is usually close.
Say yes to early mornings and weekends. Gyms open early and close late, and people who can cover opening shifts stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new Crunch Fitness in Arlington?

In the Gazebo Shopping Center at 5566 Fort Caroline Rd., on the southeast corner of University Boulevard and Fort Caroline Road in Old Arlington.

When will it open?

Reports point to the end of 2026 or early 2027. No firm opening date has been announced.

Is Crunch Fitness hiring for the Arlington club?

Not publicly yet. No openings or headcount have been announced. Get your resume ready and watch for postings, which often start during a membership presale.

What is the minimum wage in Jacksonville?

Florida's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour as of September 30, 2026. Many gym roles add commission or per-class pay on top of base wages.

Get Ready Before the Doors Open

Create a free LocalJobPage account to save searches and get new Jacksonville gym and fitness openings sent straight to you. Browse the Jacksonville Career Center for local guides on pay and requirements.

Employers: Opening a club or building a team in Jacksonville? Post your jobs on LocalJobPage and reach local job seekers directly.