How PJ Glassey and his Seattle based X Gym have found a niche and are taking personal training to the next level.
The X Gym in Seattle, Washington, has found success through the use of an innovative program developed by owner and CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), PJ Glassey. Within just two years of owning his first location, Glassey was able to open a second, and in three years had opened a third. “The success and growth of the X Gyms has come almost exclusively through word of mouth from satisfied clients,” he says.
According to Glassey, the secret to his success lies in the multi-protocol concept he developed over years of working as a personal trainer. After graduating with a degree in Exercise Science from Seattle Pacific University in 1989, Glassey began developing exercise methods, combined with a nutrition plan, that were designed to save time and increase results. He says his methods keep clients from hitting fitness plateaus and resist the muscle bulking many of today’s clients aren’t into by using a full fatigue concept and specific splinter techniques. Glassey says the results are measurable, and that his clients become stronger and toned more quickly, and experience an increase in athletic ability as a result of his methods when compared to more traditional types of training. To keep tabs on progress, each member is tested every seven weeks using the Biospace InBody 520 BEI body composition analyzer. Glassey says it uses new technology to segment members into arms, legs and torso so they can work on balance and symmetry along with overall body composition. In addition, Glassey says he is able to offer memberships at around half the price of traditional personal training, which would help to explain his high demand and incredible success.
“The biggest challenge we’ve had has been our rapid growth. Keeping the trainers trained to deliver top quality workouts, and the customer service high while growing has been hard to control,” he says. “It is also frustrating when our clubs fill up and we are forced to turn people away or put them on a waiting list.” Although, Glassey admits this is a nice problem to have, and is grateful. In addition to good-old-fashioned word of mouth, which he says is his best marketing effort to date, Glassey makes sure the X Gym is listed at the top of all major Internet search engines, hosts a weekly radio show on fitness and nutrition, and has recently released a book, titled “Cracking Your Calorie Code” which discusses some of his exercise concepts and talks about mental programming for fitness success. All of these efforts help to create the branding and awareness needed for marketing to the local community.
There are plans currently in the works to roll out an online training option for people everywhere, as well as certification programs for personal trainers to learn his method. And, apparently, the X Gym also places an emphasis on having fun: Trainers and members alike recently trained together for a local stair climb competition up a 56 story skyscraper, and won 12 of 14 medals, breaking some records that had stood for years!
Glassey also has plans to open additional locations in the near future, saying they will be offered as a licensing opportunity to prospective club owners. When this happens, he says his greatest concern will be with preserving the credibility of the name and staying true to his program. “Everyone gets value for their money at the X Gym. Our customer service is unsurpassed and our motivation is unparalleled,” says Glassey. –
To learn more about X Gym, please email Club Manager Kailyn Elliott. He can be reached at k@xgym.com
