When you walk through the front door of 24 Hour Fitness for the first time, you hear the music, and the huge facility seems to open up before you.

It may be overwhelming—until that first hello.

“Good morning, I’m Alvin Walcott, General Manager of 24 Hour Fitness. Welcome to my club!”

And right then, it becomes “your” club. Once greeted, members can head over to the Aim Engagement Table, where you can pick up Steps for Success sheets, 24 Hour Fitness Exercise Guidelines, Healthy Nutrition Guidelines, Monthly Newsletter and more. Soon, you’ll be on your way, under the watchful eye of the 33 nationally certified trainers.

Yes, it's about fitness, but also about a comfort level, a personal touch.

“We improve lives through fitness,” said Walcott, who has been with the company for about three years, two running the 24 Hour Fitness flagship location out in San Ramon, Calif. “We fully embody that. You (members) come in and want to feel and look better. And the service provided—we make you feel welcome."

Open seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Paramus location is not open 24 hours like a majority of the other locations—locally, there is a second Garden State location in Hasbrouck Heights, and four more in New York City.

Paramus was selected as the location of the newest 24 Hour Fitness because of its location. Immediately visible from Route 4, it is the perfect spot for a before- or after-work workout, whether you are coming to or from New York City, or anywhere in the northern New Jersey area. Major highways like Routes 17, 80 and 46, as well as the Garden State Parkway, being nearby make it, according to Walcott, “a simple equation.”

And business has been going well.

“The community has received us well," Walcott said. "We connect well with parents, getting them to understand the healthy lifestyle, and their kids will be our future members.”

And speaking of kids, Walcott and 24 Hour Fitness are taking their message to the schools.

“Part of our initiative, beginning in March 2012, is to visit the schools and personally speak with the parents, help the parents and the teachers and the students," Walcott said.

40-year-old Hasbrouck Heights resident Michele Mussachio and her husband share a maxim: “Never rest on your laurels.”

And she hasn’t since joining 24 Hour Fitness in May and visiting both New Jersey locations. She has lost 63 pounds.

“I switched from another club,” she said. “They took away lots of classes and it was smaller. I was looking for a facility that gave me a variety.”

And she found it.

“So much has kept me coming here. I’m really motivated by the people, the classes and the facility. It’s addictive.”

She added, “It is because of 24 Hour Fitness that I was able to reach my fitness goals and complete my first triathlon in October of 2011. Not only do they provide their members with the facility and tools to make changes in their lives, they provide the motivation, personal relationships and encouragement to help you reach your goals.  Every staff member does their part to encourage you to stay focused, motivated and on track. I love my gym.”

In addition to the individual exercise sessions members can take part in, there are also 66 group exercise sessions per week, and it’s all included with membership. Memberships start at age 12 and go up, but the facility also offers your exercise programs for youngsters under 12. Starting Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11 and 12, 24 Hour Fitness members and nonmembers are welcome to the brand new CEL Basketball Kick Off Event featuring certified trainer Brandon Ellis and WNBA legend Tamecka Dixon.

“Allow us to be your GPS (system),” Walcott said proudly. “We set the destination; just follow the GPS. Set your goals and help us to direct you and guide you on your journey.”

24 Hour Fitness, 260 Route 4 East, Paramus, www.24hourfit.com