Ep 1: Ron Hemelgarn

Podcasts

Ron Hemelgarn, Fitness Entrepreneur, Health Club Owner, Indy 500 Winner

Ron Hemelgarn is the true American success story. In the inaugural episode of "Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness," he joins Hossein and Leigh for a look back at his life and career in fitness. From earning money collecting scraps as a kid, to getting his first job in the industry by fixing equipment, you’ll hear how he built one of the largest chains of health clubs in the world based on out-servicing the competition and fulfilled a boyhood dream of winning the Indy 500.

LISTEN to Ron Hemelgarn's episode on iTunes

"I was hired on [at a health club] as a maintenance man and janitor. I could clean the toilets better than anybody else and fix the nuts and bolts and whatever. That's basically how I got into the fitness business itself."

- Ron Hemelgarn on his introduction to the fitness industry

Chapters

Getting into the fitness business - :45

The roots of a passion for being in gyms - 2:19

Better service leads to more money - even on a paper route - 4:35

Determination to be the best in his first business - 9:07

Taking bankrupt clubs and giving better service - 11:31

The first big thing: Selling Spa Lady - 16:00

How has the industry changed since you started - 18:48

When did you realize you had done something big in the industry? - 20:51

Luckiest thing ever - Winning the Indy 500 thanks to Marketing his gym - 24:00

No bad decisions, just learning experiences - 25:47

What idea do you wish was your own? - 27:50

Advice for young people in the industry - 31:07

Having a mentor and a partner - 35:15

If you can only do one workout of the rest of your life, what is it? - 37:10

One piece of equipment every gym should have - 38:50

What's the last thing you saw that was "super cool?" - 43:18

Fastest you've ever driven an Indy Car? - 45:39

Why use racing to market your gyms? - 47:00

Something nobody knows about you - 50:57

Word association - 52:18

What's next? - 53:48

Next Episode: Colin Irving >>