IPL Pro Rob Tenerowicz’s New NorCal Gym
In the heart of Arnold, CA, a fitness oasis has emerged under the name T-Fit Gym, breaking ground as the brainchild of seasoned IPL Pro, Rob Tenerowicz.
WE HAVE QUITE A FEW FOLKS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A GYM BEFORE, BUT WE MAKE SURE THEY FEEL WELCOMED AND NOT INTIMIDATED BY ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT OR THE EXERCISES.
ATHLETE ENTREPRENEUR: Congratulations on the opening of your new gym! What is the name of the facility and where is it located?
ROB TENEROWICZ: Thanks! It’s called T-Fit Gym and it is located in Arnold, CA. A 3 hour drive east of San Francisco.
AE: Can you share with us the inspiration behind starting your own fitness facility and what sets it apart from others in the area?
ROB: I’ve been going to gyms for over 45 years and really enjoy the gym atmosphere and the many benefits that come from strength and cardiovascular training. After retiring from my previous career my wife, who is also an advanced gym goer and a part-time yoga instructor, and I wanted to bring these benefits to as many others as we could. We found a location not far from our house where there were really no good gym options. It’s a small vacation community that also includes many retirees.
We decided to start relatively small, but provide an exceptional and very clean facility to members with new equipment, new LED lighting, new flooring, and great customer service. We have quite a few folks that have never been to a gym before, but we make sure they feel welcomed and not intimidated by any of the equipment or the exercises. It’s been very well received in the community.
AE: What motivated you to pursue a career in the fitness industry, and how has your personal fitness journey influenced the design and offerings of your gym?
I FELT LIKE OPENING A GYM WILL ALLOW ME TO INSPIRE EVEN MORE PEOPLE TO START AND CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEYS TO BETTER HEALTH AND FITNESS.
ROB: In addition to my own experiences and outcomes, the vast majority of the data out there proves the many benefits of strength and conditioning training. Providing this opportunity to others is the main motivating factor. However, I was also motivated by the number of people that come up to me in gyms, as well as after IPL competitions, often total strangers, that tell me what an inspiration I’ve been to them in their own fitness journey…just by watching me. I felt like opening a gym will allow me to inspire even more people to start and continue their journeys to better health and fitness.
I’ve learned a lot about gyms over the many years of working out in them. For example, not every piece of equipment is created equal. I researched and tested equipment to ensure it operated as I wanted and was of high quality. I also wanted to offer something for everyone. I chose a combination of free weights, strength machines, and cardio equipment. There is also a space for doing core exercises and stretching. So far, we’ve received very positive compliments about the equipment and the overall cleanliness of the gym.
AE: With so many fitness trends and workout styles available, how did you decide on the specific programs and equipment to feature in your gym?
WE CHOSE TO GO PRIMARILY “OLD SCHOOL” IN THIS REGARD WITH FREE WEIGHTS, MACHINES, PULLEY SYSTEMS AND CARDIO EQUIPMENT.
ROB: We chose to go primarily “old school” in this regard with free weights, machines, pulley systems and cardio equipment. The newer equipment has evolved though. So, although the equipment is “old school”, it’s new and of high quality.
AE: Technology often plays a role in modern fitness facilities. Can you tell us about any innovative tools or features incorporated into your gym that enhance the overall fitness experience for your members?
ROB: We have a few advanced technology features that allow members to manage their membership and access the gym all on their smart phone. Safety is a very important part of our gym, so we have cameras that are videotaping 24/7 and the door remains locked at all times. Only members can unlock the door.
We also have an Echelon stationary bike that is on-line and allows members to participate in live on-line classes or ride various landscapes throughout the world.
AE: Very cool. Community engagement is vital for building a thriving gym. How do you plan to foster a sense of community among your members?
ROB: It has certainly helped that we are essentially the only gym in town and we are located on a main thoroughfare so it’s hard not to notice we are here. Many of our members are longtime residents and know each other so it’s been great to see them create their own workout groups. You definitely get a sense of community when you come into the gym.
AE: The fitness industry is dynamic, with new trends emerging regularly. How do you plan to keep your gym relevant and adapt to evolving fitness preferences? Are there plans for introducing new classes or features in the future?
IF WE DO DECIDE TO EXPAND, WE WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF OFFERINGS TO INCLUDE CLASSES LIKE YOGA, SPIN AND THE LIKE.
ROB: We’re planning to keep things status quo for the next 6-9 months, but we have the ability to expand, up to doubling the size of the gym. If we do decide to expand, we will increase the number of offerings to include classes like yoga, spin and the like. I’d also like to add a few more pieces of equipment and a heavy bag.
AE: Opening a gym involves overcoming challenges. Can you share any unexpected hurdles you faced during the process and how you navigated them? Additionally, what advice do you have for others aspiring to open their own fitness facility?
ROB: We didn’t really have any unexpected hurdles. But, going into this, our two biggest challenges were…given it’s a small community, would there be enough people willing to join a gym to sustain it? And can we fit enough equipment in the 2400 sq. ft. space to meet the needs of the members?
To address the first question, I created a survey that I sent to the local community via social media to gauge the interest. To my surprise, the response was overwhelming! There was tremendous support! The risk though still remained, because as a former boss of mine used to say, “There’s a large gap between the lip and the pen.” Meaning, would they actually join?
FORTUNATELY FOR US, IN BOTH CASES, WE HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THE OUTCOME.
For the second question, I enlisted the help of a fitness company that provided me with scale drawings of the equipment we wanted in the actual space. After 20-30 iterations, and a few compromises, we found a design that we felt would work. In some cases, we chose dual function equipment (biceps/triceps, leg extension/leg curl) to make everything fit. Fortunately for us, in both cases, we have been very happy with the outcome.
As far as advice for others aspiring to open their own facility, I’d say to do your homework on the location, the community, the type of facility/equipment you’d like to offer, and the manner in which you’d like to operate the gym (e.g., fully staffed, personal training, classes, pricing) and make sure it all makes business sense.
AE: Finally, what is your vision for the gym and your brand as you look into the future?
ROB: We really see this as a community gym, so right now, the vision is to continue to offer a high quality gym at an affordable price for folks in the area. As mentioned, we may be expanding at our current location to offer a bit more. We also want to increase our presence in the community by sponsoring youth sports and the like. AE
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