New Powerhouse Gym Enters Crowded Laurel Fitness Market

Fitness center bets on community-focused approach to stand out in competitive landscape.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A new 25,000-square-foot Powerhouse Gym has opened in the Corridor Marketplace shopping center in Laurel, Maryland, entering a crowded local fitness market. The gym, which is the second Powerhouse location in the state, features a range of equipment and amenities and is aiming to create a "holistic wellness" environment, according to owner Kelly Mattfeld. While the gym faces competition from several national chains and local gyms in the area, Mattfeld is hoping the gym's community-focused approach will help it stand out.

Why it matters

The addition of Powerhouse Gym to the Laurel fitness landscape reflects the ongoing competition and saturation in the local market, as gym owners look to attract and retain members. The new gym's success or failure could provide insights into the strategies that work best for fitness businesses in crowded suburban markets.

The details

Powerhouse Gym's new 25,000-square-foot facility in Laurel features 30 strength-training machines, 26 cardio machines, and amenities including physical therapy, group classes, and a 25-yard track. The gym employs 15 staff members, including six personal trainers. Owner Kelly Mattfeld said she wants the gym to be a "holistic wellness" center long-term. Mattfeld said she relied on small-business loans to open the gym and has spent over $500,000 on equipment, with plans to add a $70,000 sauna. The gym faces competition from several national chains and local gyms in the area, including Fitness Evolution, Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, 9Round Kickbox Fitness, and Cloud 10 Transformations.

  • Powerhouse Gym recently celebrated its official grand opening in February 2026.
  • The gym opened last year, but Mattfeld delayed the grand opening ceremony while resolving permitting issues and waiting for a storefront sign to be installed.

The players

Powerhouse Gym

A new 25,000-square-foot fitness center that recently opened in the Corridor Marketplace shopping center in Laurel, Maryland. It is the second Powerhouse location in the state.

Kelly Mattfeld

The owner of the new Powerhouse Gym location in Laurel. Mattfeld said she developed a relationship with the Powerhouse franchise while a member at the Hanover, Maryland location and later decided to become a licensee after working part-time as a personal trainer for six years.

Keith Sydnor

The mayor of Laurel, who performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Powerhouse Gym grand opening, despite the gym being located outside the city limits.

Mario Orellana

A member of the new Powerhouse Gym location in Laurel, who said he prefers the gym because of its sense of community.

Jose Santillan

The owner of Fitness Evolution, a competing gym in Laurel, who said he was surprised that Powerhouse opened given the number of established gyms already operating in the area.

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What they’re saying

“I want it to be a holistic wellness [center] long term. I really like to focus on having an all inclusive environment.”

— Kelly Mattfeld, Owner, Powerhouse Gym (streetcarsuburbs.news)

“We want business to benefit from the City of Laurel. We all benefit because they all travel through our region.”

— Keith Sydnor, Mayor, City of Laurel (streetcarsuburbs.news)

“The hospitality here and the customer service was really good. I wanted to do something focused around community business.”

— Mario Orellana, Powerhouse Gym Member (streetcarsuburbs.news)

“All my colleagues tell me, 'you're crazy. You're never gonna get your money back because you're charging very little [for] this.' When people see that you bring them the best [equipment], they like it, and then they become more loyal, and that attracts more people.”

— Jose Santillan, Owner, Fitness Evolution (streetcarsuburbs.news)

“It takes a community to make something truly work.”

— Robert Crawford, Boxing Coach, Crawford Training and Fitness (streetcarsuburbs.news)

What’s next

Powerhouse Gym plans to add a $70,000 sauna to its Laurel location by next winter.

The takeaway

The addition of Powerhouse Gym to the Laurel fitness market highlights the ongoing competition and saturation in the local fitness landscape. As gym owners look to attract and retain members, a community-focused approach and investment in high-quality equipment and amenities may be key strategies for standing out in a crowded suburban fitness market.