Club works to maintain members’ motivation and commitment
Published in the December 25, 2013-January 7, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Photo by Marty Cheek
From left, Assistant General Manager Virginia Lytle, General Manager and personal trainer Ryan Grotz and Assistant General Manager David French in their new Morgan Hill club.
After college and working in the financial industry for several years, Ryan Grotz wanted to make a change in his career path and started exploring a field he had long been passionate about — fitness. Soon after, he earned his personal trainer certification, allowing him to combine his passion and career.
A year ago, the Grotz’s family began looking for a new business opportunity, so he pushed the idea of opening a fitness facility. After considering Morgan Hill’s demographics and creating a business plan, Grotz opened the Morgan Hill Athletic Club last October at Cochrane Plaza. Morgan Hill Life asked Grotz what people should consider in joining a gym.
With the New Year, many people will consider joining a gym to get in shape. What advice would you give people when looking at a gym?
There are a few tell-tale signs that may not appear obvious, but will help to create a positive experience for the long term. Variety in exercise options is a huge thing to look at when joining a fitness facility. This helps to keep motivation up without letting the routine get stale. A clean facility is a good representation of how the equipment is maintained but also how the members are valued. Watch out for “free” offerings that disguise long-term contracts. A knowledgeable and trained staff help create a welcoming atmosphere and prevent injuries.
Joining a gym is the easy part. But often after joining, people lose motivation. What advice would you give people to help them keep going to the gym and working out on a consistent basis?
Creating a mindset that a person is going to change their lifestyle can be easier said than done. In a society linked to instant gratification, trying to improve one’s fitness goals can seem to take an eternity. Yet, if a person can create a mindset of finding enjoyment in the activity, then the byproduct of losing weight or creating muscular hypertrophy is going to reinforce a person’s commitment. Any facility can provide the opportunity. A unique facility like the Morgan Hill Athletic Club will work to retain its members’ motivation and commitment.
Describe Morgan Hill Athletic Club and what makes you unique compared to other local fitness centers.
Passion for the fitness industry fueled the birth of this venture with the hope of inspiring others. We are a family-owned business without the corporate gimmicks or hidden long-term contracts. We have all new equipment with enough variety to inspire the biggest gym rat. Our Kids Club provides activities in a clean, safe environment. We pride ourselves in supporting our members in any way we can.
Are there any special classes or personal training that you offer at the Morgan Hill Athletic Club?
We offer a variety of group exercise and cycling classes at the club. It’s a great way to focus on one’s individual fitness goals while enjoying the social aspect at the same time. With our expert instructors, they can modify their classes for a beginner and help people focus on proper technique and injury prevention. Each instructor brings their own ideas and personality to their classes which adds more variety to the daily workout. Our personal training staff has many years of experience that can help a person just wanting to get started, focus on improving form or learning more options for their fitness program.
