Business
News
Brothers
really exercise their faith
Robert and JoSEPH Boyle
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.
Catholic
Directory:
