Pompton Plains - Spa 23 Health and Racquet Club has come close to eliminating the “I don’t have time” excuse for not joining a gym. A large percentage of the 4.000 members is the before and after work crowd taking advantage of the fact it is open 24 hours a day during the work week. Spa 23 is also open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays and re-opens again at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Keeping the doors open all night long isn’t Spa 23’s only amenity, although combined with a convenient location on at 381 Route 23 South it is an attraction for commuters from West Milford, Butler and points west. “There is a good 4 a.m. morning crowd that works out here and takes classes. In the morning, we have rolls and bagels at no charge as well as complimentary coffee and tea all thorough the day,” said president and owner Cary Adler. “We are fully independent, not a big chain but not a small Mom and Pop nor a franchise. We have been responding to the needs of our members for 29 years,” he adds. What started as purely a racquetball facility in 1980, Spa 23 evolved into a full service health club with fitness and group exercise being the focus. There is also an Olympic- style indoor pool as well as racquetball and basketball courts. Presently, the club is 35,000 square feet as a result of many additions over the years and is in the process of completing a renovation with an updated décor and more space. According to Adler, there is a social aspect to Spa 23: “We have extra programs for members and guests like belly dancing. We look at it as a place to have fun where you can meet new people and develop new relationships. We have a very unique group of members that are a great bunch of people, and we make people feel comfortable here.” One of the ways that Adler and his staff does this is by giving new members five free personal training sessions upon signing up. The average membership is about $59 a month. Spa 23 even considers those members who are struggling with job loss and a depressed economy. “If someone loses his job and is in a legitimate hardship situation, we let them continue membership at no cost until they can get pay again,” said Adler, displaying concerns for his members above and beyond their fitness needs and showing how Spa 23 manages to remain popular after 29 years. For information, log onto www.spa23.com or call 973- 839-8823