Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Pankow.
Hi Dave, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I began as a personal trainer almost 20 years ago in my early 20s. For almost 10 years I worked at a couple commercial clubs building a clientele and polishing my skills as a trainer. I learned a lot about what I wanted my career to be and also what I didn’t want. In December of 2012, I left to start my own business. Pankow Performance began by renting space in a private training facility. My clients appreciated the feel of a smaller facility but it still felt like we needed our own space. When Covid shut us down in March of 2020 my wife (Laura) and I decided it was time to start our own place.
We opened our location in Wixom, MI in August of 2020 during the start of the Covid pandemic. Thankfully all of our dedicated members and clients have stayed with us and we continue to grow and add new people even with the challenges of Covid. The goal of our gym is to provide top-notch training that delivers results while also providing the best equipment and atmosphere for our people. We have open gym available to our clients as well as morning and evening group lifting classes in addition to personal training.
The choice to open our own private training facility has been wonderful. I am very excited to see how many more people we can help in the coming years as we continue to grow.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There is definitely a lot more responsibility having our own facility. Any challenges we have come across so far have been outweighed by the opportunities we now have though.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are known for teaching primarily adults how to achieve their fitness goals through lifting and diet. The main thing that separates us from a CrossFit-type box or a large commercial gym is the class size, expertise, and personal experience. Our group classes are limited to 6 people. We take pride in actually teaching lifting technique. I have been I high-level 90k Strongman Athlete for over a decade. A combination of book knowledge and actual lifting experience does make a difference when training others. Additionally, because we are a smaller facility our members really feel that the gym is their home. We make it a point to go beyond expectations to help our people.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Interesting question. The biggest lesson: Sometimes life forces you to make a change. Make it an opportunity to adapt and succeed, not an excuse to fall back on.
Pricing:
- Group Classes $35 per person
- 1:1 Training Price Range $60-100 per session
- Consultations and Demos always Free
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pankowperformance.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/pankowperformance?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
