On today's episode, I have a conversation with Alex Gravel, a private studio owner, about how box (traditional) gyms are failing people. We talked about how intimidating gyms can be, how gyms build their business around you not showing up, and how to succeed with your exercise goals.

4:00 - What are the biggest barriers that clients face?
6:10 - What do you think about the all or nothing approach?
8:03 - What kind of intimidation do your clients feel about the gym?
9:05 - What is the scariest thing you've ever witnessed at the gym?
11:46 - What are the traits of your successful clients?
14:03 - How do you approach the scale?
15:25 - What is your take on metrics like BMI?
19:07 - What are your thoughts on the traditional gym business model?
22:43 - What are the first steps someone can take to begin exercising?
25:37 - Is the health industry failing society as a whole?
28:17 - What are your thoughts on dieting?
31:00 - If someone only had 15 minutes, what should they do?
33:36 - What is the biggest difference between the gym and your facility?
36:00 - Is it important to have a strong bond with your clients?

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Alex is the owner and head personal trainer at The LOFT Fitness. She opened the LOFT fitness in 2017 after years of personal training in gyms around Calgary. She has a BAH in Health Studies from Queen's University and is a certified Personal Trainer with Canadian Fitness Professionals. Fitness and Nutrition are two of Alex's passions in life and she plans to continue her journey as an entrepreneur growing and expanding the LOFT Brand.
 
Growing up in the small island paradise of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Alex has always had an active lifestyle – whether snorkeling the vibrant coral reefs or hiking through dense rainforest to beautiful waterfalls – health and fitness has always been in the forefront of her life. This active lifestyle was the catalyst for her endeavor in Health Sciences and her personal trainer certification. Having worked for a few years as a personal trainer, she realized she wanted to offer fitness a bit differently and decided to branch out and open her own gym. Small classes or one on one sessions inside a private studio allow for a more personalized experience – an experience which is less daunting for the newcomer and helps keep clients on track and heading towards their goals.

Her dedication to health and fitness extends beyond the gym and into her kitchen and continued active lifestyle in Calgary, where she frequents the Rockies, hiking and skiing in her spare time. Alex believes that tailoring fitness plans to fit each individual’s needs is fundamental to their success and her charismatic personality drives her clients to achieve their goals.