CKO Kickboxing boasts over 40 locations across the U.S., with most locations situated on the East Coast. Of the two locations located on the West Coast, Garett Renon, is the owner of one. The co-owner of CKO Kickboxing in Seattle, Wash., Renon said his life was uninspiring and bland before he became a CKO franchisee.
“I had been working at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico as a mechanical engineer for the Department of Defense,” he said. “During this time, I discovered I was not cut out for your typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ‘Office Space’ lifestyle. I always felt I wanted to do more with my life than just push papers and waste tax dollars.”
Renon explained that he had always been a fit individual. He discovered a passion for training after becoming a certified personal trainer (through FiTour) and group fitness instructor (through NAFTA). “This was when I truly discovered my love for fitness and my love for helping people become much healthier and happier,” he said.
In May of 2011, Renon married his wife, Jessica, and the couple moved from New Mexico to Seattle, Wash. Wanting to pursue a new career in an area related to his passion for fitness, Renon did some research, came across CKO Kickboxing and was immediately impressed. “The CEO, Joseph Andreula, and staff, immediately made me feel like family, and we saw eye to eye on nearly all of my fitness methodologies and my business aspirations,” Renon recalled. “Talking with CKO members and even other store owners, I was amazed at all the life-changing transformations that CKO was responsible for — this was unlike anything I had ever seen.”
According to Renon, CKO Kickboxing is unique in a variety of ways. Most notably, he said the franchise inspires a deep sense of community. “We are not just a gym, we are a fitness community,” he said. “The amount of friendships that have been made at CKO is nothing short of amazing. We have even had couples who have met in the gym.”
Renon also noted the fact that CKO’s programming offers real results. “Many other kickboxing gyms focus on sparring, fighting, grappling and MMA, at the same time trying to promote some type of ‘fighting cardio’ program,” he said. “This cardio program is almost always an afterthought and clients often report they feel like second-class citizens. We know what we do and we do it better than anyone else. We produce results and life changing experiences and nothing else!”
These results are ideal for demographics of all ages and genders, said Renon, though women seem to be disproportionally drawn to the concept. “Truthfully, CKO is perfect for nearly all ages,” he said. “We have a member as young as 12, and as old as 68, who also has Parkinson’s disease. While the workout is definitely intense, we employ a ‘go at your own pace’ atmosphere that works extremely well. Right now we seem to be most popular with women that range in age from 25–45. They make up about 70 percent of our members.”
Renon likened kickboxing to be one of the most effective workouts in the industry, and has nothing but positive things to say about his decision to become a CKO Kickboxing franchisee. He and Jessica celebrated the club’s one-year anniversary on July 13, 2013. “We have created a workout that is actually fun, requires very little equipment (just gloves) and can produce amazing results,” he said. “All the member has to do is show up a minimum of three times a week on a consistent basis … All you have to do is show up, wear gloves, and we will take care of the rest!”
By Rachel Zabonick
