This Q&A feature helps readers learn more about people living and working in the Mount Vernon business community.

This week’s Q&A profiles long-time Alexandria resident and Anytime Fitness owner and manager Beverly Hahn. The fitness center will celebrate its four-year anniversary in January 2013.

Open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, Anytime Fitness Alexandria prides itself on providing its members with convenient and affordable fitness options in a friendly, well-maintained facility. The gym features top-quality exercise equipment, as well as state-of-the-art security and surveillance systems to ensure member safety at the club, even during unstaffed hours. AnytimeHealth.com, the fitness industry’s premier health and wellness website, provides Anytime Fitness members with a wealth of online support, including diet and fitness trackers, meal planners, instructional videos and more.

Born in Quantico, Beverly grew up in a military family and remained stationed in the Northern Virginia area throughout her childhood. She received her B.A. in Secondary Education from Phoenix University, and worked toward a Masters Degree in Special Education. Prior to Anytime Fitness, Beverly worked as a special education teacher at the Accotink Academy in Springfield.

Beverly and her husband, Carl, live in the Alexandria area with their five-year-old Border Collie/Spaniel mix, Luther.

Describe your business.

We provide members with cutting-edge strength training and cardio equipment in a small-scale, intimate environment. It’s perfect for people with busy schedules and on-the-go lifestyles. Members can workout when it’s best for their personal schedules, day or night. The club is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

How did you become interested in your current line of work?

Owning a gym was always my husband’s dream. He has always worked as a contractor for NASA, so it made sense for me to help get the business off the ground, up and running. It was a good fit because I had previous experience working with a variety of associations in membership recruitment and retention in Old Town, Alexanria. Because I already had experience in that genre, it just made sense that I would help out.

How do you compete with area gyms and fitness centers along Route 1? Is there local competition?

Compared to bigger box clubs we are more ‘mom and pop.’ We are smaller, clean and have a more “homey” feel. For those members who may feel intimated by a bigger box atmosphere, I know they don’t feel that way here. We provide a lot more customer service than the bigger places. We really try to focus on membership retention with options like personal training packages and motivational contests. We don’t have a big sales staff like some of the other places.

What do you enjoy most about your line of work?

First and foremost: it’s fun. It’s living a healthy and holistic lifestyle. Like some of our members, I have always struggled with my weight. My members actually motivate me to strive to improve certain things about my own personal life. It’s also great to watch people come here, see them exercise and feel good about trying to improve their lives. It’s great to see them change their lifestyle in a positive way. Their posture improves, they seem to have more of a spring in their step. It’s just a fun job.

Where is your favorite place to go in the Mount Vernon area?

The bike trails here are fabulous. The parks around here are wonderful, too. It’s nice to get out in the area and do something fun with fitness.

Do you have a favorite area restaurant?

Peking Duck on Route 1 is great.

Does Anytime Fitness do any type of community outreach?

Yes, each year we support Mount Vernon High School’s annual Turkey Trot race. We offer all of our members a free month [of membership] if they run the race with us. It’s for a good cause. In the months to come, we are trying to expand our efforts to support more community runs and races in the area.

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

I honestly don’t know, probably still teaching.  It’s fun, and I like jobs that are fun … it’s very rewarding on many different levels. But for now, I will continue at Anytime Fitness. I really enjoy it.