U.S. Marine and his retired cop dad turn vacant banquet hall into a state-of-the-art family fitness center

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And coming this summer: A companion cafe with a nutritious menu designed by a dietician.

Savino Auciello has opened Envy Sports Club & Cafe on Queen City Avenue in Manchester.
Savino Auciello has opened Envy Sports Club & Cafe on Queen City Avenue in Manchester.

MANCHESTER, NH – Savino Auciello has returned to his hometown and transformed a Queen City hotel’s former banquet space into the city’s newest sports club.

Auciello, a 1995 graduate of Manchester Memorial High School and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has launched Envy Sports Club & Café in the former conference facility of The Comfort Inn at 289 Queen City Ave., at the corner of Queen City Avenue and Second Street.

He’s meshed his personal training knowledge and gym ownership experience with his vision for a state-of-the-art family fitness center, offering something for everyone.

After a nine-month renovation that included an overhaul of the hotel’s pool and conference center, the 6,500-square-foot space includes a group exercise room, cardio center, weight room, new locker rooms and showers, an indoor heated pool, sauna, cabanas and a poolside cinema.

And opening soon: A built-in healthy-food cafe with a menu of nutritious options created by a licensed dietician.

Envy pool“It’s exciting for me to bring my personal training and fitness center experience to a business in my hometown,” said Auciello.  “I’ve always wanted to own a business close to home to support the local community and work together to help area residents lead healthier lives and achieve their fitness goals.”

Auciello began his career in the fitness industry in 1999 at the age of 22, after finishing four years of service with the U.S. Marine Corps in San Diego, CA. He opened his own personal training center on the West Coast, working one-on-one with clients to achieve their fitness and weight loss goals.

While California was an exciting place to work and live, there’s no place like home. Auciello returned to Manchester in 2008 and gained some more experience, while mentally mapping out his vision for a future business venture.

Once back in the Granite State, Auciello remained in the fitness industry, managing gyms in Nashua and Danvers, MA, before becoming owner of Atlantis Sports Clubs in Cambridge, MA, and Parsippany, NJ.

Savino Auciello, right, owner of Envy Sports Club & Cafe.
Savino Auciello, right, owner of Envy Sports Club & Cafe.

Auciello was finally ready to bring his vision to fruition, for something that combined the all-inclusive nature of a high-end fitness club with a family-friendly atmosphere that caters to everyone, from kids to seniors. Auciello zeroed in on the vacant banquet hall adjacent to The Comfort Inn, and decided the timing was right to bring a gym to his hometown.

He’s made this a family business venture, partnering with his father, former Manchester Police Department Deputy Chief Savino M. (Sam) Auciello, who recently retired from the security industry as the head of security for Elliot Health System in Manchester.

“My dad comes in just about every day,” says Auciello. “In fact, my whole family comes in, which is something I love about this place – there’s truly something for everyone.”

The centralized location of the Queen City Avenue spot, with easy access to the highway and business districts in Manchester’s millyard and downtown, make it an attractive option for businesses looking to provide wellness programs to their employees, Auciello says.

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The health club features high-tech Life Fitness cardio equipment that is Internet enabled, says Auciello, allowing access to e-mail, websites and social sites like Facebook and Pinterest, to help pass the time while exercising.  The weight room features strength equipment, kettlebells and free weights, with a stretching area off of the main room.  The pool area has a resort feel with individual cabanas, each with a 24-inch television, bathrooms and shoScreen Shot 2015-04-14 at 8.56.39 AMwers, a sauna, and a poolside cinema where movies and television programs can be played during birthday parties or open swim.

“A lot of health clubs want you to pay a minimal monthly fee and then hope that you don’t show up every day. We want members to consider this their resort, a place they want to come every day, whether it’s for a morning work out, an afternoon swim, or just to relax in the sauna and then have a bite to eat,” Auciello says.

Envy offers discounts for active duty or retired military and city employees.
Envy offers discounts for active duty or retired military and city employees.

Auciello is working on building a class schedule and hiring certified trainers and instructors for group exercise classes including Zumba, yoga, fitness boot camp, kickboxing and aqua aerobics.  He expects to hire up to 30 employees for the fitness center.

Swimming lessons with Red Cross certified instructors will be added soon, as will an on-site childcare room, for an additional fee.  He is also working with a registered dietician to develop a healthy menu of breakfast, lunch and snack items that will be offered in an on-site café this summer.

To honor his military background and his father’s career with the police department, Auciello said Envy always offers a military and veteran discount that also extends to police, fire, EMS and city, state and federal employees. Student rates are also available.

Membership can be for all-club access or pool-only, and can be purchased by month or by year, on an individual, couple or family basis.  Memberships start at $29 a month.

You can check it out yourself: Click here for a free guest pass.


Envy Sports Club & Café is open Mon – Fri., 6 a.m.  to 10 p.m., and weekends, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information call (603) 703-5303, visit Envy’s website at envysportsclubs.com and don’t forget to like them on Facebook.


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Click here for current group exercise schedule, which begins April 20. Class descriptions follow:

Envy Hot Yoga – Our version of heated yoga great for all levels that increases balance, flexibility, strength, focus, cardiovascular endurance and relaxation. Drop by and give it a try! We suggest bringing a mat, towel and water with you.

Aqua Aerobics (Mon./Thurs. mornings) – Challenging total body workout designed to hit all major muscle groups while listening to upbeat music. Using the resistance of water & buoyancy bells to gain strength and range of motion. Good for those who need to increase strength, but do not enjoy the weight room. Envy supplies water weights & noodles for class.

Aqua Aerobics (Mon./Weds. evenings) – Similar to the morning classes, but the class is currently led by DVD. Will be adding instructor soon.

Booty Camp – Join us for an intense class that focuses on sculpting and toning your buns and thighs! This class combines strength training with cardiovascular training in an upbeat environment that will be sure to keep you entertained and help build a booty!

Zumba Gold – Perfect for active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity. How It Works: The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat, and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong. Benefits: Class focuses on all elements of fitness, including cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance!

HIIT Max – HIIT Max is a fast paced blend of cardio and strength sets designed to push your limits and rev your metabolism! When properly designed, high intensity interval training (HIIT) can burn as many calories in 15-20 minutes as a steady paced 30-40 minute session. No matter your current fitness level this class will challenge you to perform for short bursts and give it your all before a short recovery. Using  free weights and your own body to provide resistance, you will leave drenched and feeling awesome!

Pilates Mat Science – Pilates Mat Science is a form of exercise which allows the participant to build a strong foundation and develop proper alignment. It focuses on core activation as well as working the deep stabilizers. This Pilates class will tone the entire body leaving you feeling long and lean.

Kids Fitness – Kids can be – and should be – active throughout the day. This group class provides a great platform for kids to release some of their energy by getting active and meeting other kids who are doing the same! This class incorporates a variety of different exercise styles with pieces of strength training, yoga, zumba, HIIT max (high intensity interval training), and much more. Kids Fitness is suitable for those between the ages of 8-15. Routine changes weekly.


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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!