You can find any number of motivational mantras, bounce-back attitudes and transformational stories in the health fitness industry. They are in clubs, gyms, tracks and parks everywhere.
This is Ryan Nimtz’s story.
Ryan Nimtz poses at his Snap Fitness club in Rockford, Minn.
Nimtz started in the health fitness industry by turning his own personal setback into a comeback. After losing his job at a furniture store, he decided to turn his passion into a career.
“One night, my wife and I were watching ‘The Biggest Loser’and she said to me, ‘you’re always working out, you’re always running…have you thought of becoming a trainer?’”
The idea clicked for Nimtz, and after a week of researching schools, he registered at MSB and started classes in October 2009.
“I liked the atmosphere, the teachers and everybody pushed you [to do well],” Nimtz said. “[The staff at MSB] cares about you and wants you to pass the classes and succeed. I enjoyed working in the fitness lab…it was a lot of fun.”
An externship with Snap Fitness in October 2010 placed, and kept, his foot in the door. That experience led to a full-time appointment in April 2011 and his eventual promotion to club manager.
“Being a manager is a different mindset than just being a trainer,” he said. “As a trainer, you’re working with clients and preparing for the next one. As a manager, you’re always thinking about what you can do next to improve all aspects of the club.”
With plenty of personal training under his belt, he has done a lot to improve his clients’ lives and wellness.
“My favorite part about training is helping people,” Nimtz said. “I like the challenge of [knowing] that everybody is different, and making workouts different based on what their needs are…You can’t make a workout and have everybody use it.”
Working for owners that have allowed him to grow and improve in his role has been a boon on the business side as well.
“The owners gave me the reins and let me run the clubs [how I want],” he said. “I’ve strived to keep up on everything from the cleanliness of the club to the management side of things. [It was satisfying] to see our business numbers the highest we’ve had in quite some time.”
With new ownership taking over, Nimtz has even more control and vision over the locations.
“[The new owners] have only been here a couple of weeks, but they are already asking me my opinion, and my vision for the businesses,” Nimtz said.
His work and accomplishments in the last three years have earned him a chance to grow the locations in ways that he sees fit.
“I really do like working here,” he said. “It’s been a great 2.5 years. I’ve built a lot of great friendships with clients and co-workers, and I’m hoping it keeps going and we can keep improving.”
The post Double the Clubs, Double the Fun for this Health Fitness Graduate appeared first on Minnesota School of Business Blog.
