Program Helps Members Improve Athleticism

The Forum Athletic Club (TFAC) in Atlanta, Ga., identifies itself as the “premier fitness facility in Atlanta.” Between the patented Fast-Twitch program, as well as its dedication to a no-sales staff approach, “our environment speaks for itself,” said Craig Hragyil, the director of operations at The Forum Athletic Club. “Everyone in the facility is dedicated to a positive member experience. We all work together to make sure that our members get the most out of each and every visit.”

TFAC was founded in 2001 by two NFL veterans, Dan Owens and Roman Fortin, who decided to open as The Forum Athletic Club after learning they couldn’t use the Powerhouse name without additional franchising fees. They wished to deliver a more significant form of fitness to the general public. “Specifically, they wanted to introduce gym members to some of the training methods and practices being used to produce top level athletes,” Hragyil explained.

Hragyil himself has been involved in the fitness industry for 28 years, four of which have been spent at TFAC. “The thing that keeps me here is helping others get more out of life by being fit,” he said.

One of the ways in which TFAC helps its members achieve athlete-level fitness is its Fast-Twitch® Program, or the club’s own brand of high-intensity interval training. “It includes three different workouts: upper-body, lower-body and full-body,” Hragyil said. “Participating in all three workouts is recommended in order for complete and balanced results.”

Fast-Twitch is a registered trademark owned by TFAC. “It was developed to allow participants to maximize results, without having to deal with developing their own workouts. It makes it easy for people of all levels to show up and train,” Hragyil said.

This program offers members a simple and effective way to include well-rounded training into their schedule. “When utilized properly, it is a very complete style of training, offering regular participants the opportunity to improve overall strength, endurance, build muscle, burn calories, maintain a healthy body fat percentage and increase their cardiovascular conditioning,” Hragyil said.

In organizing the club’s space, Hragyil and TFAC positioned the cardio-deck adjacent to the Fast-Twitch training area, as the program, its participants and the energy it creates, tend to spill out onto the main training floor. “We have purposely not enclosed the room, so that it would have an effect on people that expect treadmills or ellipticals to get them fit,” he said. “What those people see is that people just like them are putting in a better effort and seeing more significant results. While some still resist it because they are intimidated — most give it a try.” At TFAC, these members are called new “Fast-Twitchers.”

Another thing that makes TFAC unique, according to Hragyil, is its no-sales staff approach to the membership process. “No one will ever be put through a ‘sales process,’” Hragyil said. “Because most of our members/guests are not first-timers, this process gives them a sense of comfort and immediately creates a level of trust that is impossible to create with the old-school ‘close them now’ sales attack. TFAC has created a ‘no pressure’ environment that puts everyone at ease.”

Hragyil explained that TFAC is very active in its community. “We are actively involved in donating items to charities and organizations in and around the Buckhead/Brookhaven areas,” he said. “Most importantly, we serve a population that understands the importance of being fit and the benefits that are realized when you do more than just go through the motions.”

Hragyil is proud that TFAC is “recognizably different than the rest of the industry.” He also believes that having an outstanding training staff has helped them achieve this. “They are without a doubt the most professional, dedicated team that I have ever worked alongside,” he said.

By Sam Rogers