Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryan Murphy.
Hi Bryan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
FITNESS PROJECT® all started as an idea in 2015 which finally came to fruition in September 2020! Now 2 1/2 years later, and looking back at our journey, we are so thankful to our community of members in and out of the club for helping us become recognized for being the “best of the best” gym or fitness center in the communities we serve.
Life experiences become catalysts for change and transformation, often when we least expect it.
An “Aha!” moment inspired the beginning of a new path for myself and for my business.
Participating in a charity project in Guatemala sparked a deeper passion for helping others. Then, as I approached my 50s, my wife and I adopted our foster son, Mateo. Wanting to be there for Mateo as he grows up and for my older children, I started viewing the future through a new lens. With this, I began to think about what truly motivates people to stay fit, and the framework for FITNESS PROJECT began to take shape.
“I think everyone has a Mateo in their life—something, someone, or some event that gives you a new purpose,” and “There’s power in purpose.”
Inspired, I started scrapping the old-school gym franchise business model and began working with my team to create ways for members to feel connected and crush their personal goals, all while elevating the community. As the concept for FITNESS PROJECT began to gel, the pandemic hit, but I boldly forged ahead with my plan to evolve and take my fitness facilities to a whole new level.
I realized personal fitness can elevate your life and the community through a gym that empowers you to give back, so you can benefit others while experiencing the benefits of a gym yourself. “FITNESS PROJECT builds a culture of health, engagement, and connection to help people transform their lives inside and outside of the gym.
In addition to changing operations, I brought in a VP of Marketing, Troy Wise, who began to help me build a brand that distinguished us from other gyms or fitness centers and we started to rework the guest experience to ensure members’ needs were put first.
The brand’s new mantras, “Workout on Purpose” & “You Are The Project,” are meant to help you look at fitness and health differently and are meant to emphasize “why” you are getting in shape or “who” you want to be healthy for. Instead of thinking about just weight loss, muscle-building, etc., which are still important; we take it a step further and help you better understand why those things are important in your life. Some members have mentioned they need to lose weight to be able to play and keep up with their kids, while some have mentioned their need to get more healthy to feel more energized and be better partners to their wives, husbands, girlfriends, or boyfriends. This holds you more accountable to your goals and helps keep you motivated. Our model focuses on purpose-driven fitness.
Our brand, which appeals to all, is focused on how working out makes you feel versus just how it makes you look. We emphasize the importance of commitment, community, and culture, which have been a guiding light for our evolution company-wide – energizing operations, marketing, design, and growth plans. We’ve carefully cultivated this supportive culture at all levels of the organization.
In addition to what the team has done in the clubs, The team has also really expanded its support out in the community. Although we have built relationships with many organizations, we have focused primarily on Houston’s Habitat for Humanity and CASA of Montgomery County, which we’ve been able to raise more than $180,000, and that’s not including the time, energy, and efforts we have invested in getting more involved in important causes in the immediate neighborhoods of each FITNESS PROJECT location. These causes have included; gathering our staff to volunteer in community activities such as painting, cleaning, and supporting organizations like the Mercer House, hosting events like our popular Zumbathon to raise money for Susan G Komen, gathering teams to walk for GoRed and the American Heart Association, building volunteer groups to build homes for Habitat for Humanity, collect school supplies for children in need, and support seniors in the area with different efforts to raise money or collect supplies they need for the holidays. This is just a sampling of some of the efforts made over the last 2 years.
Beyond what we have done outside of the clubs, we have also invested in offerings that members found most valuable inside of the clubs and expanded on studio and team training opportunities. Today, FITNESS PROJECT is helping people throughout the community get healthy and give back. The newly renovated gyms are equipped with top-of-the-line fitness equipment, expert-guided group classes, studio fitness rooms, and premium amenities. Amenities include their PLAY kids’ area, executive-style locker rooms, 3D body scans and assessments, a CYCLE studio that rivals any boutique studio, enhanced functional turf areas, and so much more. You only need to stop by the club to see the passion the teams have and learn more about how FITNESS PROJECT can help you change your life while changing the lives of those in the community…for the better.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have over 20+ years in the fitness industry and most recently was an award-winning franchisee with Gold’s Gym in Houston. Leaving a powerful brand was a bit concerning, but I had to follow my passion. I made the decision to leave the brand, and then COVID hit.
Where COVID closed a lot of gyms and clubs in the fitness industry, we used the time to build our brand, new marketing and communication tools, redesign our clubs, and train our teams to evolve our business.
We launched FITNESS PROJECT in Sept of 2020! The changes we made were received well by the community immediately, and by the end of the year, and definitely, as 2021 started, we were hitting our stride and getting pre-pandemic numbers as it relates to members served. We were also seeing great results in our efforts to raise money and shine a spotlight on organizations we supported in our communities.
As you know, we’re big fans of FITNESS PROJECT. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
We’re So Much More Than a Gym! FITNESS PROJECT is a place for people to come and crush their personal goals and elevate the local community. “Each location has a Project Wall dedicated to its local community projects. We encourage everyone to participate in our community initiatives that support great causes, but your involvement is completely your call”.
When you enter a FITNESS PROJECT location, you’re welcomed with enthusiasm by the friendliest staff in town. The newly remodeled space is yours to enjoy no matter what your goal or experience level. Whether you want to be guided with expert personal training or simply pointed in the right direction, their talented team is there to support you every step of the way.
Memberships offer access to top-of-the-line fitness equipment, expert-guided GROUP classes, and premium amenities, as well as opportunities to support meaningful community initiatives in Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Magnolia, and The Woodlands. With a wide variety of fitness classes and amenities, FITNESS PROJECT caters to members at every stage of their health journey.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
The old-school gym mentality focused on salespeople and selling memberships is out! The classic gym model is built on collecting fees that go back to the company, licensing fees, or business fees. “We don’t use salespeople to convince you to become part of our fitness family,” We believe you’re going to love FITNESS PROJECT so much you’ll want to join once you visit and experience the vibe and community-inspired culture of our clubs.” We don’t use high pressure, and instead of enrollment fees, we allow members to choose an organization that we support and offer them a chance to forego those fees when they provide a discreet contribution to help the organizations we support.
Pricing:
- Basic Memberships start at $20/month and include GROUP Fitness
- Studio Memberships that offer unlimited studio fitness, cycle, and team training classes are as low as $50/month.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fitnessproject.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitnessproject.us/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitnessProject.Us
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fitnessproject/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/FitProjectHtx
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fitnessproject8622
Image Credits
Troy Wise
Bryan Anderson
