Today we’d like to introduce you to Rich Swift.
Hi Rich , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was a dual sport high school athlete participating in baseball and football. In 1990/91, I had a Kansas City Royals scout express interest to see me play again. Less than a year later I tore my ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow of my throwing arm. My baseball dreams and basically plan A-Z were shattered and no longer a possibility. I started fitness training myself and a good friend in my dad’s garage as my interest in fitness was sparked without really knowing it yet. I was the typical Gen-x party guy for a few years and moved to Huntington Beach, California. I played beach volleyball at a high amateur level. I got involved in the gym scene while living there. Bob Spruill, a co-worker who had competed in Mr. California contests started to mentor me in higher levels of fitness . In 1998, I moved back to the east coast but remained in the gym scene while working warehouse management jobs. In May of 2000, I got married to my wife, a former college volleyball player and after our first child in 2001, I wanted to make a difference and what I was doing seemed unfulfilling. As a lifelong athlete and how the gym was a place of happiness/aggression relief and belonging (whatever I needed that day the gym could be) I decided to finish my degree in Exercise Science at age 30. Fast forward 24 years later I have trained pro athletes, collegiate athletes, a future navy seal, and the common man and woman, I have trained ages 10-93. It is so gratifying when someone says you made their life better. I have worked in, managed, started, remodeled and been involved in decision making in several local gyms. I’m currently at Delmar Fitness where I was offered the general manager spot when the owners had a meeting with me and stated they were buying a gym and wanted me to run the operations due to my experience. I became the face of Delmar Fitness, returning to my hometown was also kind of cool. After 5+ years we have created something special in our small town. I could retire tomorrow with the satisfaction that I made a significant difference in the lives of many people. As a trainer I believe training should be personal. It should be individualized to the wants and needs of the client. You always hold the expectations to real possibilities. Every client is different with strengths and limitations and must be trained that way. Too many trainers only know their set ways and that is a detriment to their business and clients. As trainers and gym owners/managers we have a responsibility to not only create programs but evolve those programs and our styles, even our thought processes about health and fitness. It is our duty to challenge the norms, the status quo and establishment. We must always look one step ahead for new research, while keeping old standards that are time tested. You are in the business to earn a living but in this profession morals and ethics will always come forward and that is the separator. Image matters, quality matters, perception becomes reality.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha Ha loaded question this industry is never smooth. It is so dependent on the economy. If people have disposable income for fitness often relies on how the economy is performing. Even though gyms and fitness coaches/personal trainers are really the front line of an individuals health and can help save on insurance and health cost. Demographics such as a 1 hour drive can be the difference in $10-$25 additional per session. Gym owners vs trainers is often a tricky obstacle to negotiate. What is a fair split is very tricky and I have been on both sides Trainer and Management. Also a gym must spend money to make money while not overreaching on the budget. Things such as equipment repairs and upgrades never end. Our location just invested $100k on outfitting our gym with new top of the line equipment. With that we have been delayed a month due to shipping back up, another obstacle. Unfortunately you also have to sometimes expel members for different reasons. I have had to terminate members for inappropriate behavior to the opposite sex, belligerent treatment of my employees, etc. So yes, there are many daily obstacles.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am not only the General Manager at Delmar Fitness but I maintain a stacked client base in my Personal Training business. I run the day to day operations of the gym and attend to needs of the gym. I am the go between with members wants and needs and ownership budget. I do everything from personal training, monthly reports, social media posts and clean bathrooms. I am proud of the impact I have and been able to make on others lives; I love to see success in people. I have created an environment when I am at the gym similar to the old TV show “Cheers” to use the line from their theme song “sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came”. My goal has always been to make the gym a place you want to go and not a place you have to go. The interaction at my gym between members is second to none. The laughter, the stories, and the great people legitimately care about each other. It isn’t a place where every one has earbuds in and don’t even knows each other’s names our members interact with each other. Life and fitness can be a struggle and no matter who you are you can’t do it alone.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Well, with a 9 month old who I barely saw because of work I gave the company I was in a management position an ultimatum to see my family more. I called their bluff and walked out that day from one of the world’s largest companies. At 30 years old with a new wife and an infant, I finished my degree in a year and a half (starting fresh in Exercise Science) and made myself a respected personal trainer and gym manager. Before that, I was fairly well known in my area in the party scene but had little direction on where I was heading in life. I guess I was just living in the moment at the time waiting for something? In fall of 1993 on a spontaneous decision at 21 I purchased a one way ticket from MD to Los Angeles not knowing anyone there. I had no job, no car and no place to live when I stepped off the plane – just a dream and passion. I ended up working for a major computer company living in Huntington Beach one block off the Pacific Ocean. Living the dream you could say in my early to mid 20’s. In November of 1997 or 1998 I relocated back to the East Coast again to start over. If you don’t take a risk you never reach your full potential. Complacency is safe but it will only hold you back.
Pricing:
- Our memberships currently range from $29,95-$35 per month
- My training is $25 for a 30 minute session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://delmarfitness.net
- Instagram: @fitnessdelmar
- Facebook: www.facebook.com › delmarfitness
