Train fitness leans on asus philippines to strengthen advocacy
The fitness industry took a hard hit when COVID-19 struck the country in 2020. It posed a serious threat to the livelihood of fitness trainers, who carry out their jobs based on physical interaction. Francis Jeffrey Simon, the co-founder and head coach of Train Fitness, can attest to the weight of the impact that the pandemic had dropped on their establishment. “The business [was] affected very badly because the business [had to be] closed (during the pandemic),” he said during an online interview. Despite its establishment in March 2020, Simon said that the gym still managed to maintain the “overwhelming support from the industry.” For him, this was because “we have a huge following when it
comes to our advocacy.”
RAISING THE BAR FOR A PRO-TRAINER BUSINESS STRUCTURE
Train Fitness prides itself on its business structure as a “freelance gym.” Basically, it introduces the concept of a gym for freelance trainers but without the attachment. In this system, trainers just have to “enroll and bring their clients, and we’re not going to interfere with their [business]. If you have your own clients, [that is all] well and good. If you don’t have your own clients, Train Fitness is also there to help you gain clients,” Simon explained. “I’m the only gym giving them this kind of treatment. And, it’s a win-win situation for both clients and both trainers,” Simon further shared. This way, the client saves a lot of money because trainers can now charge less without the added charges from the commercial gym.
In turn, Train Fitness earned the support of a well-connected clientele, including celebrities. And when the pandemic happened, the only way to connect to the community that extended the gym’s advocacy was to go digital.
PUSHING FOR DIGITAL SOLUTIONS AMIDST THE PANDEMIC
Simon, who is also Train Fitness’ managing director of operations, leveraged the use of digital marketing and e-commerce to mitigate the losses incurred and pay for the overhead expenses that were still in effect during their shutdown phase.
“We resorted to online training and online selling because we are also selling supplements. We are also selling apparel, so that’s the Plan B that we did,” he mentioned. The pivot to virtual allowed the gym to keep the business afloat.
When asked about the challenges they faced when it comes to technology, Simon mentioned that the gym’s current technological resources were not able to keep up with their needs and expectations.
GETTING BACK ON ITS FEET WITH THE HELP OF ASUS PRODUCTS
After multiple attempts to bring back its on-ground operations, Train Fitness had recently fully reopened last March 2022. For Simon, technology played a big role in keeping their business going. He cited the convenience of having a laptop in monitoring business operations, reaching clientele, managing activities, and organizing workflow.
Train Fitness turned to ASUS Philippines as its trusted technology partner to assist them in the digital shift. When asked about their purchase criteria for technological devices, Simon mentioned that “we’re looking for a credible brand, a faster brand, a sustainable brand, and also one [that offers] technical support.”
Based on ASUS Philippines’ recommendation, Train Fitness acquired the ASUS ExpertBook P2 (P2451) for the gym staff, and the ASUS All-in-One PC V161 as the gym’s point of sale. Installed with the new Windows 11 Pro, improve your focus with a simpler, more intuitive experience and effortless navigation. Get things done with fewer clicks and swipes using the refreshed Start, Taskbar, and Navigation Center. Search across your PC and online without switching between browser, tabs, and folders, and get quick access to your most recent documents.
From the centered Start and clean layout to fresh icons, wallpaper, and sounds, the new Windows makes your tasks easier. Windows 11 Pro is also the most secure Windows yet, delivering powerful built-in security including hardware isolation, encryption, and malware protection. Simon further cited that now that “all of our IT equipment is the same, any foreseeable repairs in the future would be easier. No need to go to multiple service centers. Integration with our existing softwares [becomes] a breeze as well, making it easier for our staff to work with ASUS equipment.”
Armed with high-quality ASUS products coupled with its strong advocacy, Train Fitness is more than
ready to fulfill its next goal of putting up a school for trainers here in the Philippines.
With its current location in Quezon City gaining more clients, Simon also expressed their plans to branch
out starting with Pasig this year, then to Batangas.