February 2024 Club of the Month, presented by ABC Fitness:
Amped Fitness, St. Petersburg, Florida, est. 2016
Amped Fitness began as one location in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. With CEO Travis Labazzo and chief finance officer Stephen Thomas leading the organization, the brand has expanded to 18 corporate-owned and franchise locations with the plans to grow up to 20. Facing challenges head-on, Amped Fitness shows the resilience and determination it inspires within its members.
Below, Thomas shares about building a unified club atmosphere, unique offerings that sets Amped Fitness apart, how its capitalizing on fitness trends and more.
How did Amped Fitness come about? When was the club/franchise established?
Amped Fitness has undergone a remarkable journey of growth and resilience. In the early summer of 2016, the first Amped Fitness location was opened in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
By 2018, Amped Fitness expanded to over three clubs in Pinellas County, Florida, gaining recognition and setting the stage for further expansion. The year 2020 presented an unexpected challenge with the COVID-19 pandemic. Labazzo emphasized the impact on the community’s mental health and took a proactive stance, organizing a respectful protest. Despite the hurdles, Amped Fitness emerged post-pandemic stronger than ever.
By 2022, Amped Fitness experienced a significant turning point. Scaling to 11 new locations, we dominated the southeast. In 2023, Amped Fitness reached new heights, opening its 12th and 13th locations and making the strategic decision to franchise. With former F45 business development expert Matt Smith on board, Amped Fitness embraced franchising and announced plans for seven more corporate-owned clubs, bringing the total to 20 and growing. This pursuit of growth and innovation has positioned Amped Fitness as one of the most rapidly expanding gyms in the industry, thanks to its unique amenities and unparalleled culture.
What is the mission of Amped Fitness?
There are 10 key ideas we focus on:
- We are grateful for our freedom.
- No victim mindsets.
- We do what others don’t and wear the difference like a badge of honor.
- Our work ethic is untouchable.
- We take ownership in everything we do.
- Fueled by passion.
- Our people are our purpose.
- Strive for being the best.
- What’s hard for others is fun for us.
- We can’t be stopped as a team.
How would you describe the culture at your gyms?
From the beginning, it’s been our top priority to create a team that’s passionate not only about fitness, but also about community, integrity and mental strength.
Overflowing with friendly, enthusiastic staff, our clubs radiate high energy and are consciously designed to promote an encouraging and confidence-building atmosphere. It’s you versus you.
How do you engage members and promote belonging in your community?
The culture we’ve built doesn’t stop with our staff. It’s reflected in our clubs nationwide. We don’t stand for toxic gym culture and have worked hard to build a positive and inclusive atmosphere for our members and staff. You can feel that energy as soon as you walk through the door.
We celebrate our members with vendor-packed parties on a monthly basis, offering a spot when members need to be hyped up and offering support however we can. We’ve all heard the phrase, “We’re like a family.” But at Amped Fitness, we mean it.
What is your favorite thing about partnering with ABC Fitness?
ABC Fitness allows us to easily manage and keep track of members and leads under one easy-to-use platform. With such a rapidly expanding corporate footprint and with franchises on the horizon, it’s vital we work with the best platform to keep us organized.
What’s a trend you’re seeing in the fitness industry that other operators should keep on their radar going in 2024?
Functional fitness is on the rise. Strength training is going absolutely nowhere. However, members’ desire for an open space has been more and more prominent as the years go on. This is a new one for us, but we’re loving it.
We just introduced our new zone — the functional fitness zone — where fitness meets creativity. The world is yours in this functional space, and it’s open to everyone. With a wide-open layout, it’s stocked with unique machines, a functional jungle gym and huge turf space which is specifically designed for members to do whatever they want. With kettlebells up to 150 pounds, holographic barbells and the Amped Fitness blue light aesthetic they know and love, this functional space is one of our top-utilized perks.
What is one piece of advice you’d share with other gym operators?
At Amped Fitness, we recognize that our members are the core of our community. Whether it’s a request for a new piece of equipment, a slight adjustment to the class schedule or any suggestion to enhance their gym experience, we understand the importance of listening attentively, and more importantly, delivering. This collaborative approach not only ensures our members feel heard and valued but also allows us to tailor our offerings to meet their evolving needs, creating a space that directly caters to our Amped Fitness family.
Created in partnership with ABC Fitness. Visit abcfitness.com for more information on how they can help your fitness business.
