There’s a massive building sitting at Louetta Plaza Westin Spring, just a mile from Klein High School that’s been quiet for years.
If you’ve lived nearby or driven by enough times, you probably remember it as Pure Fitness-an all-women’s gym that closed around the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it’s mostly just been… there. Empty. Too expensive to revive and too big to ignore.
Now, it’s coming back to life as a gym, but not just any kind: with new blood.
Terrence Ruffin gives Chron a behind-the-scenes look as construction is underway. (Ahmed Humble (Chron))
Terrence Ruffin is a pro bodybuilder with more than a decade in the sport and the franchise owner of a new Wolf Gym HTX, set to open April 25. The space is still in transition-the sign wasn’t even up yet-but the vision is already there.
“The franchise is called W.O.L.F Gyms,” Ruffin said. “Funny enough, I met the franchise owner because we got the same trainer, Dave Batista, the actor, wrestler extraordinaire.”
(For the record: not his trainer-but close enough to make you do a double take.)
“So I met him,” Ruffin said. “He had a private facility, so he allowed me and the trainer to come train at his place, and that’s how I got to know him.”
Inside the new gym located in Spring, Texas (Ahmed Humble (Chron))
Ruffin isn’t originally from Houston. He moved here about two years ago at a low point in his life.
“I was kind of at the end of my rope, going through divorce, injuries from bodybuilding. I couldn’t compete that year, and it was really low,” he said. “So I just prayed about it, and I opened my eyes and it literally said Houston.”
He arrived a week later and hopes to be here for another 10 years building up the dusty, abandoned building.
“When I stepped into this place, I thought it was beautiful, to be honest with you,” Ruffin said. “Most gyms nowadays are just big boxes. I think this one had a lot of character, and that’s what really, really draws me to it.”
Terrence Ruffin gives Chron a behind-the-scenes look as construction is underway. (Ahmed Humble (Chron))
He’s been working on the project since last summer, rethinking how the space can feel-not just look.
“My biggest thing with this space was community,” Ruffin said. “I wanted enough space where we could have really good equipment, really good amenities and things like that, but also not too big, where you lose that sense of community and family.”
That idea shows up in the details: equipment that works for beginners and experienced lifters, a layout designed to feel approachable and staff trained to make people feel comfortable walking in.
“The biggest thing is just making people feel comfortable as soon as they walk in the door,” he said.
Inside the new gym located in Spring, Texas (Ahmed Humble (Chron))
Ruffin added that he knows gyms can feel intimidating-especially for people just starting out.
“I definitely understand anytime you start something new, it can be a little scary,” he said. “But a lot of times, man, I will say, like, the new people in the gym-if you’ll just ask, people are super happy to help.”
He also emphasized creating a space that feels safe and welcoming, especially for women-something that echoes the building’s past.
“I’m a no nonsense type of guy when it comes to that,” he said. “I grew up with a single mom, so like I’m a little protective in a sense.”
Terrence Ruffin gives Chron a behind-the-scenes look as construction is underway. (Ahmed Humble (Chron))
Beyond the weights and machines, Ruffin is thinking bigger-about jobs, about impact and redefining what success actually looks like.
“I personally believe that, like, true success isn’t just what you’re able to do for yourself, but how many other people you can help,” he said.
For him, that starts with a building that sat empty for years and is now getting a second life. And while the days until those doors finally open get closer, he is anxious with anticipation.
“It’s exciting,” Ruffin said. “I feel really confident about this area and the community and, yeah, it’s really cool.”
Want to know “What the heck is” coming to your neighborhood? Send the address under construction to ahmed.humble@chron.com, and we’ll look into it.
More News
Politics | Dan Patrick freezes out newly elected Democrat in North Texas
Beef | Houston police union keeps roasting Lina Hidalgo over rodeo incident
Controversy | Tiny Texas town shocked after $28,000 vanishes from city budget
Roads | Houston’s tire-eating nightmare street set for $91M overhaul
For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.
This article originally published at What the heck is that? A bodybuilding star is opening a gym in Spring.
