Announcing CORE: Remember When I Said I Never Wanted To Own a Gym? Yeah, About That
Some of you may recall a blog I wrote a few months ago titled I’m Not a Businessman, I’m a Business, Man.
Copyright: fotogestoeber / 123RF Stock Photo
I spilled my heart into that post and revealed a few personal things. Namely, that after leaving Cressey Sports Performance to pursue other opportunities, I had zero interest in ever running or owning my own gym.
[More to the point: I wanted to iterate to fitness pros that the “end-game” in this industry is not gym ownership, that success should not be dictated by whether or not you own a gym, and that, contrary to popular belief, you can do quite well in this industry – with a lot of hardwork, consistency, and expectation management – without that monkey on your back.]
After watching Pete and Eric in action for over eight years I came to the conclusion that “business” wasn’t my strong suit.1 My strengths weren’t in dealing with spreadsheets, client retention strategies, marketing, ROI, scheduling, and endless phone conversations with parents, athletes, prospective clients, scouts, and Comcast.
Moreover, I wanted no part in worrying about overhead (rent, payroll, equipment replacement, etc) or any other “unexpected” snafus such as CAM expenses, trash removal, and which insurance policies were the best fit for the the business.
You know, Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, In-Case-The Avengers-Show-Up-and-Wreck-Shit-Up-Collateral-Damage Insurance.
When we opened CSP I recognized that my strengths resided in being on the floor, coaching, demonstrating to young athletes that the garbage they listen to today is not hip-hop, and serving as brand ambassador. I’d let Pete and Eric take the reigns on “building” the business.2
Of course, in hindsight, despite my aversion to being a “businessman” in the ten years I’ve been in Boston (eight of which were at CSP) I did end up building a “business,” in that my brand – Tony Gentilcore – became a thing.
Thanks in large part to both Eric and Pete I was able to leverage the CSP brand to facilitate the growth of my own.
Over the years I have seen my website grow in popularity, I’ve become a published author in many of the most reputable fitness publications out there, I’ve been invited to speak in places such as Seattle, LA, DC, Chicago, Sydney, London, and Prague for crying out loud, and ticker tape parades have been held in my honor. <—- Only a slight exaggeration.
Not too shabby for a kid from Groton, NY.
When I left CSP, however, I decided the best fit for me was to sub-lease space. Gym ownership wasn’t for me. I connected with a woman who already had a training studio she was leasing (a mile from my apartment no less) and she was kind enough to allow me to vomit strength and conditioning all over the place and bring in my own equipment to utilize the space. At the end of each month she tallies the number of hours I use it and I pay “rent.”
It’s a beautiful set-up. This way I can still train people throughout the week, yet without the responsibility of running a gym. I show up, I make people awesome, I leave, repeat. I still have ample time to film interpretive dance videos write, take care of my distance coaching clients, and travel for speaking engagements whenever necessary.
It’s the life I’ve been living since October of 2015.
And then this happened a few weeks ago:
Introducing CORE
I now “own” a gym. It’s called CORE.3
Own is in parenthesis because it’s not like I said “f*** it, I’m done with sub-leasing and I’m going to open up a 20,000 sq. ft facility in downtown Boston complete with state-of-the-art equipment, parking, and a juice bar that serves gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO protein shakes with organic unicorn tears.”
That’s not even close to what happened. (Mostly because I don’t have a bazillion dollars).
Circumstances arose where the woman whom I was sub-leasing from had her dream-job come to fruition and she decided not to renew the lease. She then asked if I’d be interested in taking it over? To which I responded…
However, after putting pen to paper, hyperventilating into a paper bag running some numbers, and discussing things over with Lisa, it made sense to maybe give it a whirl.
Besides it would have been a nuisance to try to sell or find storage for all the equipment I had purchased, not to mention attempting to find another space to train people out of sounded about as much fun as a prostate exam.
Plus, did I mention the studio is a mile from my apartment?
It’s a mile from my apartment.
Basically, there was no denying the convenience factor. And thanks to my wife’s support (and the lessons learned observing Eric and Pete all those years) the concept wasn’t too too daunting.
So, long story short: as of June 1st I took over the lease and have been busy in the time since making the space more aesthetically “me.”
- Having more flooring/turf put in, purchasing some new equipment & storage items, and having a platform made.
- New paint on the walls.
- New logo (seen ^^^) and decals to go on the store front.
- Adding in a smoke machine, black lights, and disco ball.
It’s nothing fancy-pants, but I’m pretty excited and darn proud of the initial result.
If you’re located in or around Boston (or stopping by Boston to visit)…don’t hesitate to reach out. Deadlifts and Tiesto will be waiting…;o)
Excuse me while I go try not to destroy the back of my pants.
Trial Run of Untitled 6-Week Beginner Course Coming Soon.
In the very near future CORE will be offering a 6-week beginner program designed to educate and prime people to become their own best health/fitness advocate.
The Initial Deets
1. The course will be six weeks, meeting 3x per week in a group setting (~2-4 per class), where the objective is to learn and hammer the basics, enhance movement quality, instill a sense of accountability and intent with training, and set the framework to make you more autonomous.
2. There will also be a nutrition and mindset component, where every other weekend the idea is to sit in on presentations and have questions answered from a Registered Dietician as well as an Exercise/Behavior Change Psychologist (Spoiler Alert: the psychologist is Lisa).
3. It will serve as a wonderful opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded people and become a part of a community who’s sole purpose is to help increase your general level of badassery.
4. Only 8-12 spots will be made available to start. And I’m not saying this to suggest a false sense of urgency or as a way to lure people in. I’m not kidding, only 8-12 spots will be made available.
5. Attendance subject to spontaneous rap battles.
I’d love to find out if there’s any interest in this sort of program from people in the Boston area. If so, please contact me via the “Contact” tab at the top of the website and I’d be happy to provide more details.
Comments for This Entry
Jonathan Goodman
Yeahhh buddy. So happy for you man and so psyched that it worked out so well for you to lease that space.July 29, 2016 at 1:03 pm |
TonyGentilcore
You were the impetus my friend. Can't thank you enough.July 29, 2016 at 1:19 pm |
Jonathan Goodman
It was serendipitous. Just happy that it has worked out so well.July 29, 2016 at 2:21 pm |
Sue Galeone
Congrats! Can't wait to see the disco ball sometime. (Maybe September??)July 29, 2016 at 1:30 pm |
TonyGentilcore
I'm down if you're down.July 29, 2016 at 3:11 pm |
Alexandre
Congrats, Man. I travel from Montréal to surf in Maine fairly often, I'll have to drop and say hi one of these days!July 29, 2016 at 2:19 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Please do!July 29, 2016 at 3:11 pm |
Trish
Oh heck yes!! I guess I know where I'll be deadlifting (and break dancing) the next time I'm in Boston! P.s. By break dancing I mean 'breaking out my white girl moves.' Congrats!July 29, 2016 at 3:16 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks Trish.......would love to have you stop by next time you're visiting.August 1, 2016 at 9:20 am |
Rachel
Awesome! Congrats!July 29, 2016 at 5:07 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks RachelAugust 1, 2016 at 9:20 am |
Daniel Fleisher, CSCS
Nice dude, thats a big fn deal. Proud of you holmes. Im never in Boston but I shall throw out an obligatory "can't wait to see it" anyways. But seriously, I can't wait to see it.July 29, 2016 at 5:36 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Well, you should come to Boston......;o)August 1, 2016 at 9:21 am |
Pat
Awesome! Congratulations Tony! Love the "Because Heavy Things Won't Lift Themselves" tag line. But because I'm a smartass I'd just point out a fat guy doing pullups... Know what I'm saying? :-) But seriously, a hearty congratulations!!July 29, 2016 at 5:46 pm |
TonyGentilcore
LOL - dually noted Pat. Thanks for the kind words!August 1, 2016 at 9:21 am |
Roger
Congrats! Long time reader of your stuff and living in Boston. I'd love to get in a deadlift session at the new place!July 29, 2016 at 6:36 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Why thank you Roger - always like hearing people are long-time readers. Reach out soon and we can figure out a deadlift date....;o)August 1, 2016 at 9:22 am |
Dave Scott-McDowell
Congrats Tony, The logo is super sweet too!! Looking forward to reading more about what owning a gym is likeJuly 29, 2016 at 10:44 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Appreciate the kind words Dave!August 1, 2016 at 9:23 am |
ronellsmith
Dude, dude, dude... Very, very happy for you and Lisa. Cannot wait to donate some sweat to the new place. New logo is legit. This news made my day. RSJuly 30, 2016 at 7:33 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks Ronell.August 1, 2016 at 9:23 am |
Nathane L Jackson
Congratulations, brother! Walls plastered with movie posters???July 31, 2016 at 9:16 am |
TonyGentilcore
I may have a few in mind......;o)August 1, 2016 at 9:23 am |
John J Brooks
Never say never. Seems like the perfect set-up. Congratulations!August 1, 2016 at 11:46 am |
TonyGentilcore
So far, so good.August 2, 2016 at 11:52 am |
Kyle
Congratulations Tony! I've been reading your stuff for a number of years and have used it all at some point or another. Can't wait to see what this new adventure has in store!August 2, 2016 at 10:19 am |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks Kyle - appreciate the kind words.August 2, 2016 at 12:01 pm |
Tony Zamora
Congrats TG!!! Awesome news. Now, I just need to finally make my way to Boston! Curious though, why did you go with "Core" instead of "Tony G's House of Awesomeness", or something with your name as it follows your well known brand?August 2, 2016 at 4:08 pm |
TonyGentilcore
LOL - well, as baller as that name is, the Rule of Thumb nowadays is to try to avoid naming your business after your own name. It has its advantages of course, and some have gotten away with it and done well. However, using your name has its own drawbacks. For instance at Cressey Sports Performance, some people felt that Eric did everything. He was going to do the assessment, write the programs, etc. When, in fact, we had a full staff of very knowledgable coaches who could do many of the same things. Handling people's expectations becomes paramount when you name the business after your own name. Plus, you could also make the argument that if you plan to sell your business down the road (not saying this is the case with me), it makes things more difficult when it's named after you. So, I went with CORE. I still kinda-sorta implies my name, but also uses a term that's relatively well known in the fitness world.August 3, 2016 at 8:32 am |
Tony Zamora
Awesome, good insights! Next location though, should definitely be called "Tony G's Techno House of Deadlifts & Bacon"August 4, 2016 at 3:05 pm |
Kelsey Reed
Congratulations! Best of luck to you, I will certainly send folks your way when the opportunity arises. :) I have no doubt you will crush owning your own gym like you do your deadlifts!August 5, 2016 at 12:46 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks Kelsey - much appreciated. I hope you and Steve are well.August 10, 2016 at 10:02 am |