Celebrating the Grand Opening of Our Colvin Location
As we proudly open the doors to our newest Catalyst Fitness location on Colvin in Tonawanda, we’re not just celebrating a grand opening — we’re honoring the journey of two people who turned a personal passion into a community movement: Joe and Amy Bueme.
It All Started with Joe’s Passion for Fitness
Before Catalyst was even a concept, Joe Bueme was a competitive tennis player going University of Miami. Everything changed when he started working out at Coral Gables Fitness Club. The atmosphere, the weights, the challenge — he was hooked.
This is what sparked his idea to return to Buffalo to open a gym. He shared his vision with his father, and soon after, he launched a small club called 2001 Health Odyssey in Center Road Plaza. It was simple — no frills, just iron and ambition.
The Vision Expands: Gold’s Gym Comes to Buffalo
In the mid-1980s, inspired by a trip to California and a visit to the iconic Venice Beach, Joe knew he had to bring that kind of energy to Buffalo. In 1989, he put everything he had into opening Buffalo’s first Gold’s Gym on Seneca Street — and it quickly became a local favorite.
That’s also where Amy Bueme entered the story. A member at the time, Amy began working at the gym on Valentine’s Day in 1993, when the Wehrle location opened. She and Joe started dating shortly after and got married in 1996. Together, they weren’t just building a life — they were building something far bigger.
Building a Brand — and a Family
Joe and Amy continued opening Gold’s Gym locations throughout Western New York, growing a strong community of fitness enthusiasts. But as the franchise changed hands, the atmosphere began to feel less personal — and less aligned with their values.
Amy suggested the bold move: “We need to be local. We need to be us.” And with that, a new vision was born.
The Birth of Catalyst Fitness
In 2010, Joe and Amy began the process of rebranding. They partnered with a local advertising agency to develop a brand that truly reflected their identity — vibrant, high-energy, forward-thinking, and community-driven.
By 2012, Catalyst Fitness officially launched. With its bold blue and green branding, the “Activate Your Life” slogan, and a renewed mission, Catalyst became a homegrown force in the local fitness scene.
Growing with Purpose and Momentum
Over the years, we’ve continued to grow, taking over clubs and welcoming thousands of new members into the Catalyst family. Every step forward has been intentional — not just about expansion, but about delivering a high-quality, consistent experience rooted in innovation.
A Major Turning Point: Maple Road
One of our biggest breakthroughs came with the opening of the Maple Road location. It was our largest investment to date, and when members responded with overwhelming excitement, we knew we had struck a chord.
From strategic layout choices to innovative design elements, Maple proved that we could push boundaries while staying true to Buffalo’s roots.
“We really looked at each other and said, ‘We’re onto something,’” says Amy. “It gave us the confidence to keep innovating.”
Staying Creative, Staying Local
What makes Catalyst special isn’t just our equipment or square footage — it’s the way we listen to our community and evolve with it. We’re constantly gathering feedback, exploring new ideas, and traveling to fitness hotspots to bring fresh inspiration back to Buffalo.
But we always ask ourselves: Will it work here? And that local lens guides every creative decision we make.
Creating a Fitness Destination
Looking forward, Joe and Amy envision Catalyst Fitness as more than just a place to work out. They see it becoming a fitness destination — a weekend getaway where people from across the region (and beyond) visit Buffalo, stay at a local hotel, and spend their time experiencing multiple Catalyst clubs.
“Think of it as a fitness adventure,” Amy says. “Hit Colvin, hit Maple, hit French… then go out for wings. We want to be that kind of draw.”
The Next Chapter: What’s Ahead
As we continue expanding, our focus remains clear:
- Every location — no matter the size — will offer a top-tier, world-class workout experience
- We plan to open several more clubs in Western New York
- And yes, we’re exploring opportunities beyond WNY to bring our signature energy and innovation to new communities
“We’ve made our mistakes, but every one helped us refine who we are,” says Amy. “Now, we know exactly where we’re headed — and we’re just getting started.”
Welcome to Catalyst Colvin
This new club represents the next step in our journey — not just a new location, but a bold new chapter. We invite you to step inside, be part of the movement, and see how far we can go — together.
Because Catalyst isn’t just a gym. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a destination. It’s your place to activate your life.
