Today we’d like to introduce you to Andre Balser.
Hi Andre, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Can I get a Large double double and a vanilla cream doughnut?!? Yes, that was my life on daily basis, sometimes working 16-hour shifts at a local Tim Hortons. While also trying to complete credits in criminal justice. Having my girlfriend Stephanie pregnant with our amazing son Jayden on the way into this world, there was nothing I wouldn’t do to make sure they were cared for. We lived in a little 600 sq ft apartment in New Baltimore, MI. Struggling on daily basis was nothing new. I knew I needed change but what was it going to be? Luckily, that change was about to happen. It was when I was least expecting it, as I was serving a customer I had never seen before at the drive-thru window of Tim Hortons. Vince was his name, and he asked me if I had ever thought about being a Personal Trainer. I was in decent shape, and I said, “Yes it has crossed my mind several times!” He told me to meet him across the street tomorrow at eight in the morning for an interview. I said, “Okay you got it.” Knowing I had to work at 6 in the morning at Tim Horton’s but I told myself “Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes” is a quote I still live by to this day. So, I called off for one of the first times ever. I showed up as promised and took the position with no guaranteed income. I wouldn’t get paid unless I sold clients as a 10-99 contractor. While explaining this to Stephanie that evening, she was very uneasy about the whole situation. I couldn’t blame her we had our son that was due any day now, and this job had no guarantee. I tried balancing both jobs and had 6 clients signed underneath me within the first 2 weeks. After 4 weeks of not receiving a paycheck I questioned the manager, and he had nothing but a long line of excuses. I ended up quitting and returning back to Tim Hortons full-time. After approximately 10 days or so Vince called me apologizing and stating he fired the Manager and wanted to offer me the Manager position. I promised myself no matter what it took I would be the best sales manager out of all 7 locations. I was shocked when I received my first weekly paycheck and realized I placed number 1 on the Key Performance Sales Chart. I never looked back; outselling the other clubs was fun for me. I studied and perfected my craft each and every day. Little did I know I would be launching 2 grand openings for their Fraser and St Clair Shores locations 3 months later giving our franchise owner now 9 locations. I then worked my way to becoming the area manager overseeing multiple locations, training managers, and new trainers as they were hired in. I had taken my family from struggling to living a comfortable life. We moved from our second apartment in Clinton Township to being able to get our first house in Chesterfield it wasn’t much, but it was ours! After 2 years at Anytime Fitness and several misleading promises, I had decided to find my own gym. I worked diligently on finding locations and potential opportunities, but none seemed to line up. Still at Anytime Fitness now back anchored down at the Chesterfield location I end up training an old buddy for a manager position his name was Justin. During training, we took the time to catch up about life where I would then open up and tell him about my vision on owning my own gym. He ended up telling me that I needed to meet with his stepfather Matt as he could be a potential Investor. That night I met with Matt, and he was interested. I would then call the owner of champion health club in Chesterfield the very next day. I heard through the grapevine it was for sale and I was not going to let the opportunity pass us by. I used to work for them back in 2016 where I was fired for oversleeping, but I guess everyone makes mistakes. Am I wrong? After countless meetings and countless emails, we ended up securing the purchase of Champion Health Club. Our first day was December 1st, 2018, and we came in firing on all cylinders. Doing what I know best and putting aces in their places. After 6 short months, we already had increased the revenue of the club by nearly 300%. We have made countless changes and improvements throughout the years, making us who we are today. We haven’t looked back since we battled through the long 6-month COVID-19 closure and came out stronger than before. We are now coming up on 5 years of ownership, and it’s crazy to think how it all started. My goal moving forward is to expand the brand and gather investors interested in expanding their portfolio into the health and fitness industry. I want to give so much thanks to all of my family, friends, colleagues, and of course, amazing members that I get to interact with each and every day. Each and every one of you has helped me make my dreams a reality. I do not plan on slowing down and am excited to see how far we can take the brand Champion Health Club! Please do not forget, “In order to be more than average, you cannot just be a contender you have to be a CHAMPION!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In my opinion, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. I, of course, had many obstacles along the way.
Starting with the Covid-19 closure that shut my gym down in March of 2020 for what I thought would be 2 weeks and ended up turning into 6 long months. We had lost over $450,000 in total revenue throughout those 6 months. We lost employees and of course, members that would have otherwise never left us. When we reopened, we had a 35% loss in overall revenue.
I then had my first attempt at trying to convert my brand into a franchise and do what was needed to take it nationwide. Well, that didn’t go as planned. I was working alongside what I thought were good people, and I ended up being very wrong. After being scammed out of a few thousand dollars and a few off-the-wall conversations, I shortly realized I was making the wrong decision. My morals and ethics come before all else, and I truly believe my visions can be accomplished the proper way in life.
In November 2021, I was presented with an opportunity to buy out an existing cycling studio. It was at such a low cost I jumped right on it. I quickly found an investor that was in my close network, and we began rebranding the studio. We named it AB Cycle Studio and began to perfect the operation and customer service. Unfortunately, with the tremendous amounts of competition and the warm seasons pushing people to ride more outdoors it was a constant struggle from day one. Cycling instructors were hard to find let alone retain due to the abstract amount of pay they wanted to receive. We decided on closing down the studio November 2022 and found another industry to assume the lease.
I, of course, have had many other minor challenges, such as losing good employees, high ticket repairs that were unplanned for, and many many NOs when trying to expand the brand.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
We are Champion Health Club! What does that stand for in my eyes? It is a health club that is truly judgment-free, not just a slogan we solicit. We enjoy seeing people from all walks of life succeed and better themselves. We believe your body is a temple, and the only way to do your best each and every day is to care for yourself at the highest level. We pride ourselves on customer service, cleanliness, and having the most uplifting atmosphere above all else. We believe community involvement is a great way to bring everyone together, which is why when you join Champion Health Club you will receive the following local discounts. Beyond Juice and Eatery 15% off, Strawberry Fields Restaurant 15% off, Pit Stop Restaurant 15% off, Trinis Mexican carry out 15% off!! We are heavily involved in the New Baltimore Lions Club and also the Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Champion Health Club is a 24/7/365 one-stop shop. We try to provide you not just a 13,000 sq. ft. gym which is loaded with cardio, free weights, machines, and much more. We have a pre/post smoothie bar where you can order before or after your workout. In our locker rooms we have showers and a steam room to help you speed up recovery and relax. We have a level 4 stand-up tanning machine so you can escape and go to Florida for 8 minutes. Champion also offers private 30-minute infrared sauna sessions to help aid weight loss, speed up recovery, assist in detox, and help prevent cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and much more. Most importantly we offer a state-of-the-art Personal Training Program specifically crafted for each client that decides to commit to the 1-on-1 program. We all know getting results takes time, and it takes 30 days alone to form a habit. That is the exact reason we take you through a customized 26- or 52-week program with a Certified Coach by your side. Your goals are our priority. Group fitness is just another thing we offer to our clients; we have over 70 classes per month all at the palm of your hands! Cardio Drumming, Yoga, Zumba, Power Hour, Strength Fusion, Tabata, Step it Up those are just a few of the classes offered at Champion Health Club. We also have a 625 sq. ft. room dedicated to a group of barbers who can get your hair situated before or after your workout.
Champion Health Club cares about their members and wants to offer them as much as possible.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
It is very hard to foresee where the fitness industry may be in the coming years. It is constantly changing and evolving. New gyms and studios are opening all the time, some making it and some not. All I can guarantee, no matter what shifts or changes the industry makes, we will continue to evolve while keeping our core values on the front line. Customer service, cleanliness, strong community outreach, and an atmosphere and environment like no one else around! That’s what makes us Champion Health Club!
Pricing:
- Elite 1 $125 Down $30 per month 12-month agreement ALL-INCLUSIVE
- Elite 2 $0 Down $37 per month 12-month agreement ALL-INCLUSIVE
- Month to Month $45 per month no commitment
- 12 month Paid in Full $385
- 6 month Paid in full $210
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.champhealthclub.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/champion.health.club/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/championchesterfield/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-health-club/
- Other: https://www.bbb.org/us/mi/chesterfield/profile/fitness-center/champion-health-club-0332-90027466
