A Ponte Vedra Beach gym plans to grow to 5,000 square feet by late October, adding a sauna, an IV treatment room and new equipment for its more than 100 members.

Owner John DiPatre told the Ponte Vedra Recorder, which first reported the expansion, that he will absorb the suite next to his New Meridian Fitness location on A1A North. The project will also create a dedicated IV room for on-site wellness provider Tara Herndon of NuEra Wellness.

DiPatre has already completed one phase. A 400-square-foot outdoor area he named Muscle Beach now sits outside the gym, its floor covered in the facility's signature orange Astroturf.

Herndon, a family nurse practitioner, joined New Meridian in 2026. She offers hormone optimization, Botox and fillers, IV treatments and weight-loss services. Chiropractic physician Dr. Alexis Piarulli, who has been partnered with the gym for most of its existence, has also expanded her practice on site.

Two new trainers round out the growing staff. Mia Hughes and Keon Perry now work alongside existing trainers Caroline Jenney, Matt Hendrick and Bruce Jackson.

Perry brings a deep athletic background. A former Division I scholarship athlete who played cornerback and safety before competing at the professional level, he holds a kinesiology degree and has more than 18 years of training experience, according to the gym's website. He previously served as a personal training director at LA Fitness. Perry now coaches athletes across flag football, tackle football, lacrosse, baseball and golf, working with players from kindergarten age through college as well as everyday adults.

DiPatre is also considering adding supplements to the gym's product line.

"I've really been blessed," DiPatre told the Recorder. "Everything was kind of God's timing. I found that I didn't need to stress about stuff, because things fell into place or it just wasn't going to happen."

New Meridian Fitness is at 820 A1A North, Suite W21, Ponte Vedra Beach.