The actor, entrepreneur and longtime fitness enthusiast is bringing his Municipal Gym concept to Downtown Summerlin, with a little help from some longtime friends, a whole lot of ambition, and a philosophy that starts with showing up.
By Staci Layne Wilson
Mark Wahlberg may have made his name in Hollywood, but he’s been building a life in Summerlin for several years now. And he’s doing considerably more than enjoying the desert sunshine. Between restaurants, fitness ventures, and investments in the local business community, Wahlberg has become an increasingly familiar presence in Southern Nevada, with an apparent interest in making Las Vegas a better place to live, work, and do business.
His latest contribution is Municipal Gym, an ambitious new fitness destination coming to Downtown Summerlin.
I recently caught up with Wahlberg on behalf of GoLive.vegas for a look at the project, and while the man behind Boogie Nights, Rock Star, and Ted (not to mention his darkly comic gym gem, Pain and Gain) is certainly no stranger to the spotlight, this particular venture is about something beyond celebrity endorsements and Hollywood star power. It’s about community, personal growth, and creating an environment where everyone has a chance to get stronger.
And yes, apparently you don’t have to be up at the crack of dawn to belong there. Although, judging by Wahlberg’s own routine, it probably wouldn’t hurt!
A Partnership Built on Experience
Wahlberg has been interested in entering the traditional big-box gym business for some time. Although he’s previously explored smaller, group-fitness concepts, Municipal represents a considerably bigger undertaking. To make it happen, he teamed up with someone he knows well: EōS Fitness CEO Rich Drengberg.
Their friendship goes back to the Gold’s Gym days in Hollywood, circa 1990. That’s more than three decades of knowing each other, which is a pretty solid foundation for a business partnership.
"I’ve known him since Gold’s Gym in Hollywood in like 1990," Wahlberg told me. "So we go way back. "When it came time to bring his concept to life, Wahlberg knew exactly who he wanted in his corner. "If you want to kind of be in that space, you’ve got to get in business with the best," he explained.
EōS initially came aboard as the operating partner before the relationship evolved into a full partnership. For Wahlberg, joining forces with people who already understand the fitness business inside and out was the logical move.
Creating something new doesn’t necessarily mean reinventing every wheel. It can mean finding the right people to help you build a better vehicle.
Not Your Average Gym
So, what exactly can members expect when they walk through the doors of Municipal? Think less rows of treadmills and fluorescent lighting, more comprehensive athletic club with a serious emphasis on training, recovery, and community.
The facility combines state-of-the-art equipment with a large turf training area, racks, standalone machines, cafés, and recovery centers. Wahlberg describes the layout as having the feel of a university athletic facility, where serious athletes can train alongside people just beginning their fitness journeys.
But the equipment is only part of the equation. For Wahlberg, the real differentiator is the atmosphere and the support system.
"You could be a world-class athlete and you’re training alongside somebody who’s never been in the gym before," he said. The goal is to ensure that newcomers receive the instruction, guidance, and encouragement they need to feel comfortable.
That’s an important distinction. Walking into a gym for the first time can be intimidating, especially when it seems everyone around you knows exactly what they’re doing. Municipal aims to eliminate that feeling and make fitness accessible to people at every level.
And the name itself carries a philosophy.
"Everybody starts somewhere," Wahlberg emphasized. "That’s what Municipal stands for. We all have our own origin story. "His message is refreshingly straightforward: You don’t have to be an athlete, have a perfect body, or know your way around every piece of equipment. You simply have to be willing to begin. "If you’re willing to go and do the work, there isn’t anything you can’t accomplish," he said. "And you’ll be surprised at how far your hard work can take you."
It’s an encouraging message, whether you’re training for a marathon, trying to improve your health, or simply hoping to make it up the stairs without questioning your life choices.
The 4AM Club: More Than a Wake-Up Call
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mark Wahlberg fitness venture without a nod to his famously disciplined early-morning routine.
The 4AM Club has become something of a signature for Wahlberg, whose workout habits have been widely documented on social media. The concept is also part of the Municipal experience, inspired by the discipline, consistency, and commitment behind those early starts.
But Wahlberg’s approach to fitness isn’t limited to lifting weights before sunrise. He’s also found a way to use social media to connect with new audiences and encourage others to pursue their goals.
That’s where his 4AM Club social media series comes in. The idea was to bring influencers into his workout world, creating opportunities for their audiences to connect while sharing a little of his own routine and personal philosophy.
"It was just a way to kind of introduce ourselves to a new audience," Wahlberg explained.
He also sees the platform as a way to share his personal journey and demonstrate that success doesn’t happen overnight. "People always want to know I have a very interesting origin story," he said. By sharing his experiences, he hopes to inspire others to pursue their own ambitions, whether those involve fitness, business, entertainment, or something entirely different.
It’s a modern twist on an old-school idea: Lead by example, share what you’ve learned, and encourage others to get moving.
From Jack LaLanne to Mark Wahlberg: Fitness Gets the Hollywood Treatment
Speaking of fitness pioneers, our conversation also touched on a name that deserves a prominent place in American pop culture history: Jack LaLanne. I remember watching his “chair workout” on TV as a little kid growing up in L.A. in the 1970s.
Long before Instagram fitness influencers and viral workout videos, LaLanne was bringing exercise into American living rooms through his pioneering television program, The Jack LaLanne Show, which introduced generations of viewers to the benefits of physical fitness.
The connection to Wahlberg is more than conversational trivia. His production company, Unrealistic Ideas, has been developing projects celebrating LaLanne’s extraordinary life and legacy in collaboration with Wonderfilm Media and the LaLanne family.
The plans include a documentary and a narrative feature film, with Wahlberg attached to portray LaLanne in the scripted film, as well as produce both projects. Scot Armstrong, known for writing comedies including Old School and The Hangover Part II, is attached to write the narrative feature.
It’s an intriguing casting prospect. LaLanne was a larger-than-life personality whose influence extended well beyond bodybuilding. He helped popularize the idea that fitness should be part of everyday life, not something reserved for professional athletes.
In many ways, that philosophy dovetails nicely with what Wahlberg hopes to accomplish with Municipal: making fitness a sustainable lifestyle rather than a short-lived resolution.
A Stronger Las Vegas
Wahlberg’s latest venture is another example of his continuing commitment to Las Vegas. While Municipal Gym is certainly a business undertaking, his approach to the project suggests that he wants to create something with a lasting presence in the community.
And that may be the most interesting part of the story.
Las Vegas has long been known for its entertainment, nightlife, and hospitality industries. But as the valley continues to grow, so does the opportunity for businesses that contribute to residents’ everyday lives.
Municipal is positioning itself as more than a place to get a workout. It’s designed to be a gathering place, a support system, and a starting point for people looking to improve their health and quality of life.
Wahlberg’s message is that everyone has a starting point, and nobody should feel they have to arrive already knowing what they’re doing.
That’s a pretty good philosophy to build a business around.
Coming Soon: Municipal Is Almost Ready to Rock!
Municipal Gym’s first location is taking shape in Downtown Summerlin, and the facility is looking impressive. While an exact opening date has not yet been announced, the gym is nearing completion, with its grand opening anticipated in early 2027.
And this is just the beginning of our coverage.
Stay tuned to the GoLive.vegas app for a much more comprehensive look inside Municipal Gym, including an exclusive video tour of the facility and our full interview with Mark Wahlberg, timed to coincide with the grand opening. We’ll take you inside, show you what all the buzz is about, and find out what it really means to work out the Municipal way.
Until then, consider this your early-morning wake-up call. You don’t necessarily have to set your alarm for 4 o'clock in the morning, but it might be time to get moving!