Rapid Fitness in Raleigh, N.C. has been awarded as a “best fitness club,” “best place to work” and “best customer satisfaction.” The three-location club strives to provide members with a personal experience, while not slacking on any of the amenities of a full-service club. We spent time interviewing Michael Rattenni, the owner of Rapid Fitness, to discover what has made Rapid Fitness stand out.
CS: How did you get involved in the fitness industry?
MR: I have been an athlete my whole life. I played football and lacrosse in high school and was an All-County and All-American champion. I went into fitness training and then into fitness management before deciding to open my own gyms about five years ago.
CS: Why did you decide to open Rapid Fitness?
MR: I moved here in 2007 from the greater New York City area, after working for years in the fitness industry. From my experience visiting and working with gyms all over the country, I quickly realized that there was a need for the fitness options and amenities that no one else was offering in Raleigh at the time. I wanted to bring in classes like mixed martial arts and boxing, large group fitness classes, P90X, TRX Suspension Training® and other functional training programs, so in 2008, I opened the first Rapid Fitness location.
CS: What is different about Rapid Fitness from other fitness clubs in your market?
MR: Our biggest differentiator is our commitment to customer service. Rapid Fitness has received a number of awards, including the Metro Bravo best fitness club, best place to work from Triangle Business Journal and best customer satisfaction from the Talk of the Town News. These awards are voted on by the public, and to receive one is always the best indicator that you are running your business well, and that your members are happy. In addition, we continue to be the only gym in Raleigh offering P90X, TRX, MMA and boxing all under one roof.
CS: How did you decide on your demographic, and how do you market to them specifically?
MR: I looked for high-density areas that also provided high-growth opportunities. The demographic may be a little different in each location, but as an example, I looked at Glenwood Avenue as a high-density area and became very interested in playing an active role in the revitalization efforts of the downtown area. Looking at Person Street, I also realized it was an up-and-coming area and that there was a need for a gym like Rapid Fitness. Our North Ridge location was a gym that had been around for more than 30 years, and some members had been working out there the entire time. We completely renovated it and purchased all-new equipment, which brought an option to North Raleigh that wasn’t available at any other location.
CS: Where would you like to see Rapid Fitness over the next three to five years?
MR: We plan to continue growing and expanding geographically, including the Charlotte market.
As told to Tyler Montgomery
