 Spartanburg's Newest Gym Opens On E. Blackstock Rd.I spoke with Chad Pye, owner/operator and creator of The Firm Fitness Center in Spartanburg. Chad opened up his new gym, located at 473 E. Blackstock Rd. in Spartanburg! Chad opened about 6 weeks ago and said the response so far has been great! Read on and see what he has to say about his new place! TSR: Why did you choose this line of business? Chad Pye, Owner/Operator of FIRM Fitness Spartanburg: “I’m a lawyer by trade, and I’ve been practicing law for 20 years, but I’ve always been into fitness. I used to train at a local gym here in Spartanburg, it was just a phenomenal gym…. He ended up going out of business, and everyone was sent over to another local gym. It was like going from a Rolls-Royce to a Pinto. People didn't like it, I didn't like it. But I’m one of these guys who is a doer, not a talker. So, I said, “ You know what? I’ll step up, I’ll do a Gym!” But I wanted it to be like {the first local gym} was, I want it to have something for the hardcore person, you know the real intense person, to the casual, who just want to do the treadmill or ride the bike. I’m one of these people who if I say something, I’m going to do it. I guess from seeing a problem, as a lawyer, I just want to fix it. The concept was to kind of have a combination of all the gyms I’ve liked. TSR: What made you decide to start your own business vs. working for somebody else? Chad: A lot of people talk about getting a franchise. The owner at {the other local gym} has talked with me about that. You're paying for a name, and if you own a franchise, you’re an employee of that franchise. You work for the corporate headquarters. My whole life I’ve been into fitness, I knew what people wanted in a gym, so I created it. It’s been fun! TSR: Starting a business is a tough thing to do! What inspired you to keep going as you were getting it off the ground? Chad: We’ve only been open about six weeks. What’s inspired me is the smile on people’s faces, them saying “Thank you for doing this”… “The Westside of Spartanburg needed this!” For example, you have only one place to do Barre class… it costs $150 a month. Here it’s like $10 a month, no waiting. TSR: What date would you really say your business went from a concept to actually functional ? Chad: Our opening day late March, but we’re still adding equipment. We are always putting in something new to try! TSR: Looking back, what was the most difficult challenge you faced right away? Chad: Getting the equipment here. I had it all custom colored, upholstered, all matched because I didn’t get {one complete set up} I selected and got the very best of the best for each piece of equipment. So the most challenging was getting it here. TSR: What do you enjoy the most about the Spartanburg communities your business takes care of? Chad: I think of the gym community. I think this gives the community everything in one spot. You come to this one location, you get 8,000 square feet of everything you need. We even have a power lifting area, no one else offers that.  TSR: If a potential customer has to pick from 3 different businesses providing what you provide, what would make your company really stand out, and them choose your company over the others? Chad: We do not have contracts. If you don’t want to be here, we won’t penalize you. No hidden fees, you will find {other gyms in Spartanburg} have a ton of hidden fees and penalties. When you think through it all, we are cheaper than other gyms! (other notes during our interview we at TSR recognize as terrific perks) we have a Cross-fit room… PLUS your “regular things” most gyms have, free weights, pin-stacks, cardio machines, everything all under one roof. We have private showers, not communal, private dressing rooms, stand-up tanning, childcare, very open viewing of your child while you work out, We just took the best of the best we have seen and rolled it into one. You can’t even go into another gym in Spartanburg and even find the range of supplements we sell. TSR: Has internet technology played a big part in your growth, and making your company more successful? Chad: Yes, the internet along with social media for sure. It plays a big part of advertising. TSR: Where do you see your business in the few months we have left of 2018? Chad: Maximum capacity will be capped at 500 members. I want a place where people are not standing in line for equipment, it’s clean. We are constantly wiping down everything! We keep our bathrooms clean, our showers clean, we just want people to be happy here. TSR: What is it about your team players that contributes to your company's overall public perception? Chad: Everyone’s really friendly, I get compliments (about them) all the time. Very nice, professional, well spoken. TSR: Thinking back to day one, can you think of anything you may have done differently to overcome challenges, and to meet your business goals in a more efficient amount of time? Chad: Honestly, I would not have done anything any different. I was very fortunate to have found this location, the layout, I am happy with it. Chad is excited about his new venture and says that if it continues to be as well received as it has been so far, he may look at opening another location! To find out more check out The Firm Fitness Center website, or visit them on Facebook! You can also call them at 864-754-4599
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