The new year brought a new fitness chain to the Fort Worth area — and along with the treadmills, Zumba classes, and personal training sessions, it's offering a modern message of body-positivity. New York-based Blink Fitness recently acquired four former Fitness 2000 gyms in Tarrant County, with plans to further expand around DFW.

Blink describes itself as "an inclusive, affordable gym that values mood above muscle." True to that motto, ad campaigns feature real members with realistic bodies, not rail-thin models or elite athletes. And monthly memberships start at just $10.

The first four local Blink locations are:

• Far north Fort Worth – 7410 N Beach St., Fort Worth (now open)
• Keller – 3529 Heritage Trace Pkwy. (now open)
• North Richland Hills – 7901 Mid Cities Blvd. (now open)
• Bedford – 615 Harwood Rd. (opening in late January)

“Opening our first four gyms in DFW is just the beginning of our presence here in the market, as well as our continued growth nationally,” says Todd Magazine, CEO of Blink Fitness, in a release. “A growing and diverse population brought us to DFW, where we will employ more than 100 people from the community. We are thrilled to be bringing our affordable, inclusive approach to health and wellness to communities throughout DFW.”

Each former Fitness 2000 gym was closed and renovated for several weeks before debuting as Blink. Members returned to a sparkling clean, spacious new layout; technology upgrades; and walls freshly painted in "mood-lifting" colors like green, blue, and orange, featuring motivational sayings like "Strong arms make for better high fives."

They now sell a variety of energy snacks and sports beverages, and call employees "mood lifters."

The gyms offer state-of-the-art equipment including cardio machines, strength equipment, dumbbells, and designated areas for stretching, HIIT, bodyweight training, and more. Certified personal trainers are available for one-on-one fitness coaching ($30), and every membership comes with a free personal training start-up session.

Memberships are available at three levels: Orange ($10 per month), for one location and an annual commitment; Gray ($15 per month), for one location and no commitment; and Blue (currently $18 per month), for all locations and an annual commitment. Only Blue-level members get access to a childcare option called Kid's Club for ages 6 months to 12 years, as well as group fitness classes and a free Blink App that delivers daily fitness and wellness content, including videos for at-home workouts.

All previous Fitness 2000 members are "grandfathered" in as Blue members.

For those who like to sweat it out with a group, Blink offers 22 instructor-led classes with variations of yoga, dance, interval training, and cardio (including Zumba, Body Combat, and Body Attack).

The gyms are open 24 hours Monday-Friday (opening at 5 am Monday and closing at 11:59 pm Friday); and 7 am-7 pm Saturday and Sunday.

According to the release, Blink has 140 locations open or in development throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, California, Illinois, Florida, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Texas. Blink, they add, has been ranked on the Inc. 5000 list three times, was recognized as one of the top health clubs by Club Industry, and selected as the best budget chain by Men's Health.