Thursday 100610

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CrossFit On The Move (Toby Watson) enters the CrossFit Affiliate Snapshot
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Affiliate Since: August 2009 . . . Opened Doors Jan 4, 2010.

Location: Atlanta, GA, USA.

Square Footage: 3000sq ft.

Number of Members? 70 - We are average a net of 10 - 12 a month.

Is this your original location? We started in a trailer, training kids for free in the park and then opened this facility.

Number of Trainers? 3 + myself.

Is this your full-time job? What else do/did you do? It is my full-time job starting June 25, 2010 . . . I have left the US Army to do it full time.

Why CrossFit? Because it is the first and only fitness program I have seen that truly promotes all around fitness, not just fake promises of six pack abs. It breeds a culture of healthy living from top to bottom.

Keep reading! There's more!

Using 3 words or less, describe your affiliate culture: Involved, Fun, Amazing!

Programming: Do you do your own or follow somewhere else? Both. All of the trainers get to program for 4-6 weeks and then we follow HQ for 4-6 weeks. It gives us a nice mix.

Any special focus in clientele? No special focus. I like to think we are all inclusive. We work really hard to make sure we meet the needs of everyone. We focus a lot on team work. We put on Team WODs every Saturday, inviting other gyms trying to create a community that reaches far and wide.

Average hours you work per week on/at your affiliate: 40+.

Have you ever advertised? Yes, through our clients. I have considered advertising but our clients are walking billboards. We "advertise" by hosting team WODs, competing in local events -- both CF related and non-CF related, but nothing formal.

In running this business, what really took you by surprise? How quickly people from all walks of life can bond together to form an amazing community!

Complete the sentence: CrossFitters are . . . amazing people, who know how to work hard and have fun doing it.

How has CrossFit changed your life? It has given me an outlet to continue helping people.

Any advice for new affiliate owners? Have a solid business plan. Know how many clients it will take for you to be self sustaining. Have a plan for how many clients you need to net a month in order to reach your goals, and have a plan for when you don't reach your goals. Learn from those around you. There are a lot of very smart people doing this around the world, but don't try to copy those around you. For your affiliate to be successful it has to look like you. You have to believe in it . . it is not a cookie cutter business.

Puke bucket in your gym? Or no puke bucket? No bucket, but plenty of parking lot space that gets used on occasion.