After leaving the Gibson Guitar Company to pursue a career in fitness, Adam Wright put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into Gym5, his first health club and first business, which opened in November 2006.
Today, Gym5 is a unique gym located on the east side of Music City. The club has a hard-earned reputation for being a great place to workout, either on your own or during a personal training session with one of Gym5’s trainers.
Wright spoke with Club Solutions about his decision to leave the Gibson Guitar Company to open a gym, and how that decision has panned out.
CS: Why did you want to leave Gibson Guitar Company to open your own gym?
AW: I realized quickly after graduating from college and searching for a job that it would be best for me to be self employed. Gibson is a great company and I was fortunate to be able to work for a company that I am still passionate about today. I simply reached a ceiling at Gibson and woke up one morning with the idea of opening a gym, and from then on I was focused on achieving that goal.
CS: What’s the most unique factor of your gym?
AW: Gym5 is unique because of its simple throwback feel. I have always wanted the vibe to be similar to the gyms I have trained and worked at in the past. While many contemporary fitness facilities are now structured around a singular program with minimal equipment and higher pricing, we have kept our pricing affordable, while offering more space and equipment.
CS: You said personal training is a big part of the business: what are the keys to a successful personal training department?
AW: There is no shortage of personal trainers out there — this advantage makes it easier to choose the ones to best represent your gym. Along with great training and interpersonal skills, you want trainers to be loyal to your brand. I reward my trainers by offering them program flexibility and keeping their training fees to the gym, the lowest in the industry.
CS: As a first-time club owner, what’s a mistake you learned from that helped you grow as an owner?
AW: As a business owner you have to trust your instincts, keep everything simple and delegate responsibility when possible. You cannot please everyone, and working with friends is a slippery slope. I am learning to cut out stress when at all possible — it is the only way to effectively run a business. Stop and smell the roses every once in awhile. Try to be happy and healthy, you own a gym.
CS: Is there anything else that makes Gym5 unique you’d like to share?
AW: Again, Gym5 is a gym. It is not an urban fitness flat, it is not a dance club, we do not have $100 headbands for sale. We are in a great community that supports local business and we have great clientele.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
