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This is to all the gym owners out there that have DESTROYED the false stereotype that’s defined them, since forever. I have many examples I will post, but this is the biggest... You’ve shown empathy to your members while enduring (and still do so) the hardest financial blow the industry has ever seen. While you are losing everything, you’re still putting them first. Pause and think about this for a minute. While not knowing how you will pay your own bills, calls are being made to check on your members' training, mental heath, nutrition, and extra concerns, and time for those with PTSD, diabetes, heart issues and more. Putting the needs of others before your own. Everyone likes to talk about this, but it’s rarely displayed in the real world, and even less so when one's back is against the wall. Words can’t describe this and there are few, if any, other businesses that can say the same. To you all. Not great job, but amazing job! This entire industry drives me insane most of the time, but it’s things like this that reminds e of just how special the bonds made in the weightroom are. Thank you! Live, learn, pass on...
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“Enough with the gyms already, go for a walk and do pushups.” I'm tired of these comments. This is very shortsighted and very insulting to those who've spent thousands of hours, countless money and years in pursuit of learning health and fitness. I wish people would realize that gyms don't pop up from a granted wish from a Genie. Many ”gym” owners spent 4-6 years in college, another 5-10 years working as trainers, coaches and/or managers while attending dozens of postgraduate seminars, certifications and mentorship programs. They had a dream to open a ”gym” and sacrificed and saved to do it. They had to bootstrap and buy small pieces of equipment here and there for YEARS before they could ever think of pulling the trigger to open. No new cars, no houses, no vacations, no spending money, no nothing, for years, all so they could realize their dream. They learned that it's not easy, not profitable. They also learned the other reality of all small business owners. Taxes on everything and very likely the highest percentage of anyone. They learn all the breaks go to those businesses with over 300 employees and zero to them. Fact is, nobody cares about small businesses, because if they fail, ten others will take their place. This is accepted and understood, it's part of the risk of venturing out on their own in pursuit of happiness. They take this leap knowing they might not have the knowledge, work ethic, skill set, or luck to pull it off, but are OK with that because they will do whatever they need to make it work. They know if they put all they have into their dream and it doesn't work out, it comes with the territory. Being forced, due to state orders, to close for eight weeks due to no fault of their own, all they want is a fighting chance to save what's taken them decades to build. The same chance everyone else has already gotten! It's frustrating to read these owners being attacked, knowing many of them are stocking shelves at grocery stores to earn money to keep paying the bills on the gym they can't open. Most didn't get PPP, unemployment or any help other than false speculation on when they could reopen, if ever.
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What? Wait! Could it be? A Multiply come back! 3 ply for the 🏆 _ I think we all will agree, in this case, raw isn’t optimal and single ply is...ok, if there’s nothing else. When 2 ply isn’t enough, 3 ply for the largest carryover and no more lat cramps. _ All us @elitefts got your back! _ Swipe for more pictures
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Interested in this. For the sake of this answer let’s not count those who are getting money from unemployment.
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Gym closures extended one month! Most small business gyms have around 100 members at most and usually only a handful in at a time. Meatheads are socially distanced creatures that thrive in environments like this and never enter a gym without ammonia, water and snacks. When in the gym, they rarely leave the ten-foot radius of their power rack. They are made up of a younger demographic that pay attention to their sleep, water and macros. Hell, they even take their vitamins, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Not doing so could cost them their gains. High cortisol. For the past eight weeks, they have been put on the sidelines while their out-of-shape, obese counterparts with high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and inflammation issues head to Walmart every third day to pick up smokes, beer, ring dings and gravy, all while saying hello to the twenty employees and thirty-five other people standing on black X’s across the store. No cross contamination there! Yeah, we know, people gotta eat but how come the Mom and Pop sporting goods store that sees a handful of customers a day can’t open to sell their shoes and local sporting apparel? You know, they have the same stuff you still see at Walmart. I wonder if the big W will support the local little league teams and help out the high school athletes that can’t afford their sporting goods. Ah, right, I forgot. They are a national chain not a local one, so it’s not in their policy... but that local tax abatement was okay. We get it. Companies that provide products for essential workers are... ok but those businesses that provide services to essential workers don’t count. Please keep telling us about the conversations you are having about hair dressers, barber shops and restaurants. That’s okay. Small gyms have never been in your narrative... Except when you told them to close. BTW - The have their own cares act. Not the one they didn’t qualify for. The one that’s about how they feel about their members. What other business has members who tell them... “keep billing me” no matter when you open. If THAT doesn’t tell you they can make this work... what will?! people > politics
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Hey guys. A favor. We at @elitefts have been operating with a skeleton crew the past... who knows how long now. The customer service and warehouse staff has been seriously busting their asses day in and day out. Our media, sales and marketing staff has found ways to pull things together when it’s not been easy to. I love to be able to show them this thread and say. Look at this. Your efforts are noticed and appreciated. If @elitefts had impacted you in anyway at anytime please let them know in the comments. Without their efforts and your support there would not be an elitefts. Thank you!
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Yes, no, maybe?
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One of the biggest promises I have ever made in my life was made to a woman I knew for only a few days and will probably never see again. Yet, that promise had a major impact on many lives and will continue to for many years to come. You have to know the nature of the relationship before you open your mouth and say something you will regret later. You need to take time and think before you speak. In today’s world, a person’s word means nothing. This is a very sad, yet true, thing. You really can’t trust what anyone tells you and need always to look out for your own best interests. However, there are still people out there who choose to keep their word no matter what the outcome. I feel a man is only as good as his word, and that is the way it should be. Now just because I said you can’t trust anyone does not mean you have to be like everyone else. As the old saying goes, “If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?” You can be one of the few who are known as a trusted friend, business partner, parent, and spouse. This is not without its consequences. You have to be willing to deal with the truth. For many, it is much easier to lie than deal with the truth. “Take care of him.” With tears in her eyes, this was what was asked of me by Blaine’s birth mother as we departed with my new son. Blaine was my first adopted son and one of the best experiences of my life. I gave her my word that I would take care of him, and I have no intention of breaking it. If I keep my word, by the time Blaine reads this he will know the true meaning of “a promise.” If I do not keep this promise, then he will know I am not a man of my word. If you are a man or woman of your word, then you will never have to tell anyone—they will already know. What do they know about you? The wealthiest man in the world may not loan you money to make a phone call, while the person who is very down on his luck may just give you the world. #autismawareness
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Real World Autism Awareness Don’t be upset when I reply “no”, “nope” or “not today” when you raise your voice or ask me... “Can you control your kid?” I don’t care if he pressed all the buttons on the elevator, was too loud at the pool, or started yelling or laughing without reason. I’ll speak with him later about it - when I know he’ll be responsive. What I won’t say is ... “I’m sorry, he has autism,” to appease you. Saying this in front of him reinforces that he can use his behavior as an excuse or victim card. Your feelings mean zero to him and don’t come close to raising him to be an adult who will take responsibility and be accountable. So, no I’m not sorry my son's laughing bothers you so much. Deal with it or go away. BTW: I didn’t always feel this way and was one of those parents that were very quick to say “I’m sorry, he has Autism.” It took me years to figure out that my son didn’t care or know there was an issue. My response was more about me taking the easy way out than thinking about his future. Check out the link in my Bio titled Defining Autism - Beyond the Lable.
