ANN ARBOR, MI - A popular Ann Arbor gym has officially moved into a larger space, but its expansion plans aren’t stopping there. Co-owners Ryan Van Bergen and Daniel Roth founded Blue Lion Fitness in 2015 as a way to bring sports performance coaching to anyone interested in Ann Arbor. Now, 10 years later, the pair has recently expanded operations by moving into a new, larger location at 2875 W. Liberty Road. The gym was previously located nearby at 401 S. Maple Road. Roth said this move makes sense because the clientele for Blue Lion Fitness has grown significantly. The gym was “busting at the doors” in its previous space, Van Bergen added. “You couldn’t move in the old Blue Lion,” Roth said. “We were just elbow to elbow, and you got to give the people what they need so we figured out a way, made a plan and stuck to it.” Read more: The best Ann Arbor gyms to help keep your healthy New Year’s resolutions The gym is known for offering coach-led training on an individual and group basis. The duo has been looking for a new space for a while, Roth said, adding they wanted to be patient as they were searching for the right spot. “We wanted to find a place that had some soul to it,” he said. “We didn’t want to lose our integrity by going too big, or by franchising out or by starting multiple other locations.” Blue Lion Fitness gained over 4,000 square feet with the move and now has 4.6 acres of land. The co-owners renovated the current building, and plan to add a roughly 20,000-square-foot indoor basketball, volleyball and training facility. They will use the rest for outdoor training. “We got no plans to stop. I mean, once we’ve maxed this place out for space, we’re going to keep growing and expanding to the next,” Roth said. The plan is to break ground on the newest addition in the next month, Roth said. He hopes that people will have the “full experience” at Blue Lion Fitness by next year. Coaching and quality come first for Blue Lion Fitness, Roth said. Both owners bring their own athletic experiences to every class they teach. Van Bergen was on the Michigan football team from 2007-11 and was a captain for the team’s 2012 Sugar Bowl win. He also briefly practiced with the Carolina Panthers before retiring from football after a foot injury. Roth played multiple sports, including rugby, wrestling and soccer. Their past athletic experiences have allowed the duo to create their own original training program, Van Bergen said. Roth said it’s important for Blue Lion Fitness to inspire others and give them the confidence to do the sports they love, no matter their skill levels. “We don’t care if you’re Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Emoni Bates, or Harper Murray - we want to treat you like you ... are this elite athlete, no matter who you are,” he said. Read more: Former Ann Arbor volleyball star making impact on and off the court at Nebraska The gym is even closer to the University of Michigan’s Big House now and has been a spot many UM athletes have worked out at over the years. Roth and Van Bergen take a lot of pride in knowing they have been able to help train UM athletes who play football, basketball and a variety of other varsity sports. Beyond athletes, the pair enjoy helping everyone who takes their classes find passion in their training while pushing them to break their boundaries, Roth said. “It’s just been a really incredible thing to do that with my best friend and see our families grow together, our kids grow together, and our community grow together,” he said. Now that Blue Lion Fitness is open in its new location, Roth and Van Bergen want to thank the community for their support over the years and are looking forward to the gym’s future. “This upgrade is just a direct correlation that the harder you work, the luckier you get,” Roth said. “We got here by simply being the first ones in and the last ones to leave and ... we’re not going anywhere anytime soon.” Learn more about Blue Lion Fitness on social media. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Ann Arbor” daily newsletter.