A handful of smaller gyms offering more personalized services have been opening throughout Sugar Land and Missouri City. Whether residents are interested in taking advanced classes, working with a personal trainer or simply taking some time to stay healthy, there are a variety of options to choose from.

In addition to several new gyms, Pro Martial Arts has franchised a Sugar Land location, which is expected to open fall 2014. Chief Franchising Officer Mark DiMuzio, said the company is also expected to open a location in Katy and is looking forward to its new presence near Houston.

"I am very well-aware of the Houston market," DiMuzio said. "[The city] keeps growing and growing. We look for business people who are looking to give back to the community. We also look for areas of growth and areas with a high child population."

Pro Martial Arts follows an education-based format using core strengthening, balance training and martial arts as the foundation.

"We try to teach the skill during the most formative years of our students," DiMuzio said. "We start as young as three years old, and most of our students are between the ages of 4 and 14."

The gym also focuses on anti-bullying in schools. The company's ARMOR Program teaches students how to defend themselves in situations of bullying.

"With the Internet and cell phones, bullying is a 24/7 thing," DiMuzio said. "With the zero-tolerance for bullying in schools today, we need to teach our children how to defend themselves without raising their hands—instead using their core and balance to get to a safe place."

For more information, visit www.promartialarts.com.

Some of the local gyms that have recently opened include:

Flex Fitness Personal Training

2200 FM 1092

Missouri City 281-995-8270

www.facebook.com/FlexFitnessPT

Iron Tribe Fitness

4729 Hwy. 6

Missouri City 844-330-1166

www.irontribefitness.com

UFC Gym

10360 Hwy. 6

Missouri City 832-987-2716

www.ufcgym.com/mocity