What “For Gym Owners, by Gym Owners” Really Means at PushPress

At PushPress, we know exactly what it’s like to be in the trenches of gym ownership. We know the highs and lows, the struggles and successes. And we believe that it’s what sets us apart from other gym management software companies.

When you’re looking to increase gym revenue or avoid gym owner burnout, you want to turn to someone who can relate. You wouldn’t call your dentist to talk about the issues you’re having with your car. You wouldn’t call your plumber to tell him about your latest deadlift PR.

Actually, that might not be true. PRs should be shared with everyone.

But truly, especially when it comes to the success of your business, it’s important to have people in your corner who care, and who can relate. At PushPress, “for gym owners, by gym owners” means that we know what you’re going through, and we want to see you win.

Talking Gym Owner Life with Two PushPress Employees.

How it Started.

In 2012, TJ Kiblen opened KS Athletic Club in Overland Park, KS.

“We launched our gym with a ten-thousand dollar loan from my family,” he said. “It started in the back of a Pilates studio with just fifteen kettlebells and around five-hundred pounds of bumpers.”

At the time, he was living in his parents’ basement to save additional money.

Seven years later, in 2019, Kiblen’s original business partner left the gym. And Patrick Chandler, who is also a physical therapist, hopped on board as an owner.

Today, both Kiblen and Chandler work for PushPress. Kiblen as a Team Lead - Senior Account Executive, and Chandler as an Onboarding & Customer Support Specialist.

How it’s Going.

Chandler explained there’s a great “complimentary effect” working as both a gym owner and for PushPress.

“I completely understand ninety-five percent of the questions and complaints that gym owners and staff members have when dealing with running a gym, and the software side,” he said. “It also makes it easier to celebrate when gyms out there are doing amazing things. We know how tough it can be at times. There is never a dull moment. The PushPress team is essentially an online gym atmosphere. Everyone is in it for the same cause and is incredible at building each other up.”

And it works the other way, as well. In addition to helping gym owners in his PushPress role, Chandler finds himself learning from them, too. He said it inspires him “to keep grinding as a gym owner, as well.”

He added, “Working for PushPress has taught me so much about how things are done, how things can be done, and definitely some things that should not be done when running a gym.”

How PushPress Turned Skepticism to Success.

As for Kiblen, he recalls being a bit skeptical about a sales role with PushPress at first. In his words, he “disliked talking on the phone and having one-on-one conversations with strangers.” But at the same time, he also thought it could “be a great opportunity for personal development.”

So in 2018, just a few months after getting married, he took a leap and joined the PushPress team. It didn’t take long for him to quickly learn that it was a perfect fit for him.

“I talk to gym owners every day, learn about their practices, what works for them and what doesn’t,” Kiblen said. “And over the past six years, I have conducted thousands of demos and have met some truly amazing people. I love being in the trenches with everyone, working toward our common goal of becoming the best gym management software in the world.”

The PushPress Difference is Truly Caring about Helping Gym Owners Succeed.

As Kiblen explained, “Our team is full of gym owners. So we constantly evaluate everything objectively to make owning a gym easier. And being both a gym owner and an account executive for PushPress gives me genuine credibility because I’m not just trying to sell this product. I use it daily.”

Ultimately, when someone inquires about PushPress, he said, “they’re not talking to a call center; they’re speaking with fellow gym owners.”

Chandler added, “PushPress is a company that truly does care if you succeed in the fitness world as a business. We give a shit. Our teammates get bummed if we drop the ball on expectations, product uses, or anything related to how the gym owner experiences anything PushPress. And we discuss daily what we could have done better.”

Ready to find out how PushPress can save you time and help your gym grow? Book a demo with our team today to get started!