Any guess as to which U.S. city is the “fittest?” According to the Huffington Post, Minneapolis, Minn. is number one on the list. 501F1T, a club in the “fittest” city, is contributing the recognition to the community staying active through its innovative, patented G-Werx machine, patent-pending G-Werx Program and its emphasis on small group training. Phil Martens, the 501F1T founder and inventor of the G-Werx Program, and Diana Broschka, his business partner, shared their insights into what has made 501F1T one of the most popular gyms in the city.
501F1T had an unusual beginning. After Martens graduated from law school, he decided to switch career paths. He had an idea for a workout machine, later called G-Werx, and chose to instead produce his designs.
During the G-Werx machine’s development, Martens trained people for “before” and “after” photos in small groups. Through these sessions, he discovered the potential profitability of small group training. “I saw a camaraderie, accountability and efficiency for me to train multiple people at one time,” said Martens. “And, the people doing the workouts with me were paying a very low rate and getting outstanding results.”
After working on ways to market his machine, Martens decided to open a training studio dedicated to training small groups of people using the G-Werx machines.
His business partner, Diana Broschka, later helped Martens co-write an expansion business plan to open a Minneapolis club that would feature the machines. Originally, she worked with him on a consulting basis, and became an equity partner shortly after 501F1T opened its doors in January 2008. “I am still involved to this day because I believe the G-Werx Program can innovate and extend personal training,” she said.
After the club and program had been established, Martens expanded his strictly G-Werx Program-facility to one that offered a full-service environment with free weights, ample cardio equipment and standard weight-stack fitness machines. “I wanted a facility where people could work out on their own, as well as under the direction of a trainer with G-Werx to see how that mix would work,” said Martens.
Today, 501F1T has earned several awards due to its contribution to the active lifestyle of Minneapolis residents. These include, “Top Pick for Getting Fit” awarded by Minnesota Monthly Magazine, “#1 Workout in the Twin Cities” awarded by Best of City Search, “Best Exercise Invention (The G-Werx Gym),” awarded by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine, “Best Workout Place” awarded by Downtown Journal Reader Raves, “Excellence in Customer Satisfaction” awarded by Talk of the Town Minnesota, and “Best of Minneapolis” awarded by the U.S. Commerce Association.
There are many things that separate 501F1T from other fitness and health clubs in the area. “Our club is built on very strong principles of integrity and we hold the safety, privacy and relationships we have with clients as sacred,” said Broschka. “We work hard to give clients a platform to be themselves, regardless of where they are in their journey.”
501F1T is located on the third floor of a commercial building in downtown Minneapolis, with brick walls, bright colors and large windows featuring the downtown’s skyline views. “Our clients often tell us that it is unlike any other gym, because it feels like an environment where people matter, are important and that they feel a part of something,” said Martens.
By Sam Rogers
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
