Lyle Schuler was a Cortland State Exercise Science Graduate who always had a passion for health and fitness and helping others realize their goals.
With humble beginnings as an aerobics instructor, then personal trainer, he moved onto membership sales and general management. He eventually achieved Partnership status in the Gold’s Gym Hudson Valley group.
Lyle has over 35 years of health club management, ownership and club consulting, with experience in wide range of club sizes; from as little as 10,000 to over 120,000 square feet. As a managing partner for 14 years in five multi-sport clubs, Lyle’s clubs were recognized five consecutive years in Club Industry’s “Top 100” for annual gross revenues.
After selling four of his clubs in 1998, Lyle joined the SalesMakers team with Eddie Tock and Ray Gordon; one of the leading sales and marketing consulting companies in the club industry for over 25 years. SalesMakers was recognized by the International Health, Racquet and Sports Association (IHRSA) in 2001 as the Associate Member of the Year for its outstanding contribution to the health club industry. Consulting in 38 states nationwide, he specialized in club membership, management, personal training programs, club systems and cost effective marketing. In addition, Lyle presented at national and regional conferences with Club Industry, IHRSA, Gold’s Gym, CCD, NERSA, Fitlife and NYSPRA.
In November 2002, Lyle purchased a struggling Tiger Gold’s Gym, a 40,000-square-foot health club in Kingston, New York. By the completion of their first year of operation, the club experienced a 70% increase in gross revenue and was on its way to a turn-around success. In September of 2005 an additional 20,000 square foot of rental space was acquired, followed by the January 2006 purchase of the first Parisi Speed School license from Bill Parisi in the state of New York. By June of 2006, the building and real estate was also purchased while the Kingston Speed School has led the new Parisi Speed School Licensees in monthly gross revenues nationwide several times throughout the year and has become a preferred reference for all new potential licensees. In 2008 the second MAC Fitness was opened in the Kingston Plaza and both clubs were recognized as Best Clubs in the Hudson Valley.
He was known by all to be an amazing, caring and inspiring leader, who always put everyone first. Lyle was also the best man at Eddie Tock’s wedding, who remarked that Lyle was always the best man for everyone everyday in all parts of their life! Lyle had the uncanny ability of making everyone around him feel like they were the most important person in the world. His passion and energy were contagious! He will always be remembered for his wonderful kindness, persistence, perseverance, and wonderful energy that he brought to everything he was involved with. He put his heart and soul into all he did, he was loved by all and he will be greatly missed.
Son of the late Herb and Ann Schuler of Hurley, Lyle is survived by his wife Holly and son Colton, as well as his mother Audrey Wheatley, of New Hampshire and brother Wayne, niece Heather, nephew Travis Schuler and grand niece June Rose of Long Island, cousins Linda McGuire of Kingston and Nancy and Jake Hatten of New Jersey and many close high school and college friends who kept their friendship very close throughout the years in the most unique way.
