Hi Friends!
On October 23 we celebrated our seven year anniversary as fitness community!
I want to thank each and everyone of you off from the bottom of my heart for being a part of making my dream into reality!
But it is with a heavy heart that i announce we will be closing our doors and ceasing operations effective Wednesday November 27.
Here’s why (video explanation with captions)
I started my career as a trainer 12 years ago at an LA fitness in Secaucus, New Jersey two years after leaving corporate banking. I made nine dollars per half hour session. And if I didn’t have clients, I didn’t make any money.
I trained clients from 5 AM to 9 PM every day.
But I still loved the long hours at the gym way more than any minute I spent at the bank.
I made slightly better money when I worked at Equinox in Chelsea from 2013-2015.
And when I started coaching at CrossFit Union Square in 2015, I knew I wanted to build my own community in Jersey City.
When I started our affiliate in 2017, I opened the gym six days a week, designed all of our workout programming, ran our social media accounts, ordered inventory & supplies, handled new member inquires & cancellations, and more.
I paid myself a salary of $3000 a month. And from 2017-2023 I never increased my wages nor took any bonuses.
Even when my son was born in 2022, I walked 2 miles each way to the gym with him on Thursdays and Fridays to run classes.
In January this year, i decided to take a step back from physically being at the gym to focus on my family.
I stopped paying myself altogether so that I could invest in my Coaches ($40-$50/class) and hire a social media manager.
I also hired a marketing company ($3000/month) to run ads to attract new members to the community in this newly competitive climate.
In 2017, there were 4-5 group fitness gyms in downtown jersey city. Today there are 10 within a 2 block radius.
Our rent is also more than double what it was in 2017.
Despite all these efforts, our business has lost money every month this year.
This community has never been about making money for me. It has been about working with you amazing people to help you become the strongest version of yourselves.
But if we continue on this path, my family will be put into a financially distressed position.
So in our final month, We will be running a limited schedule, consolidating the morning classes and eliminating all new member jumpstart classes.
I will prorate membership dues accordingly for folks whose monthly renewals fall the second and third week of this month.
And I will start the process of selling our equipment at discounted rate for those who are interested.
If you are interested and continuing training under my tutelage, my program on the Ladder app is thriving. Our community has almost 3000 members around the world.
All the workouts can be done with two dumbbells (barbell optional). So you can do them in your home gym, commercial gym, or even hotel gym.
Here is a link for a free week trial to see if the programming and community are good fit for you.
And after your trial, it’s only 30 bucks a month with no commitment.
Whether you’re brand new or a 7 year OG, THANK YOU again for being a part of this amazing community!
Wishing you the absolute best in the next chapter of your health and fitness!
