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Updated: June 16, 2023 @ 9:03 am
Actor Mark Wahlberg, right, and Workout Anytime Aiken manager Jamarques Hubbard pose together during their Nov. 6 workout. (Photo provided by Lou Puleo).
North Augusta reporter
Actor Mark Wahlberg, right, and Workout Anytime Aiken manager Jamarques Hubbard pose together during their Nov. 6 workout. (Photo provided by Lou Puleo).
A Hollywood celebrity and a local Aiken gym have come together after a viral misunderstanding.
Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg, most known for his role in the “Transformers” franchise, as well as his structured morning routine, visited Aiken two weeks ago and was not able to workout at his regular 3:30 a.m. timeframe.
After posting a since-deleted viral video rant on Instagram in late October, Workout Anytime fitness gym, located at 1614 Richland Ave. in Aiken, and Wahlberg were able to come together on Sunday, Nov. 6, for an early morning sweat session.
“I got to give a big shoutout and more importantly a big apology to Workout Anytime in Aiken, South Carolina. I was here two weeks ago and had a bit of a misunderstanding and miscommunication,” Wahlberg said in an Instagram video on Sunday. “… Big shoutout to Lou and everybody here at Workout Anytime in Aiken, S.C. Great equipment.”
The original viral video inspired a wealth of online memes and jokes superimposing Wahlberg in front of closed area landmarks around Aiken.
Workout Anytime was happy to resolve the miscommunication and offer Wahlberg a space to workout, said Lou Puleo, owner of Workout Anytime in Aiken, on Monday.
“Him and his folks were absolutely wonderful,” Puleo said. “They were very friendly, and everyone on his staff was friendly. They were good natured, and we kind of laughed about the mixup; and he apologized, and he apologized on Instagram and made it right. We were really pleased with the way he and his team handled the situation.
Workout Anytime has been open in Aiken since 2016. The 24/7 gym features a variety of equipment and amenities, including hydrotherapy, tanning and certified personal coaching.
“… We were really pleased, and we were thrilled to have Mark Wahlberg there; and we were happy that we were able to deliver a quality fitness experience for him because he did rave about the gym, as you saw on Instagram,” Puleo said. “But even privately, he was very impressed with what we had and the cleanliness of the gym, the convenience. It was a great experience all around.”
Puleo, who is a retired Marine, said he opened the gym located in Kalmia Plaza because he believed there was a need for what the gym offers for residents who live in areas other than Aiken’s Southside.
The gym also offers training and a fitness assessment comes with membership.
“We really appreciate (Wahlberg) taking the time to come down and make this right,” Puleo said. “He did go out of his way, and we appreciate that; and we are really pleased that we delivered beyond his expectations. It worked out well for both parties.”
For more information on Workout Anytime and membership prices, visit facebook.com/WOATAiken or workoutanytime.com.
North Augusta reporter
Samantha Winn is a reporter for The Post and Courier North Augusta. She covers the cities of North Augusta and Augusta, with a focus on community-oriented business and events.
Winn is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamwinn and on Instagram @swinnnews.
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