Exploring Life & Business with Chelsea Baugher of Detroit Sweat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Baugher.

Hi Chelsea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
I grew up in Bay City, Michigan, and I really give it to my family for introducing sports at such a young age, and to my dad for introducing me to the “gym” at the age of 12. I’ve always been terrible at relaxing and always would prefer movement instead. 

My little girl dreams turned into reality when I went on to play d1 collegiate softball while studying business & marketing at Western Michigan University. After graduating in 2010, I found myself caught in the day-to-day of a sales career, waking up in an unsatisfied rut without passion. 

Beginning of 2017— I dropped my corporate sales career, the company car, benefits, paid vacation, and the 9-5 “job.” Now, as a certified personal trainer and entrepreneur, my passion lies in helping people realize that they can become their best selves by finding confidence in themselves through health and fitness. 

In 2020, in the beginning of a global pandemic, Detroit Sweat came to life. I started virtual training clients out of my basement for about 1 full year, but always had a larger vision in mind. That vision is a standing 3,000 sq ft. Boutique gym that opened late July of 2021 named Detroit Sweat. It’s a place where people can come together, belong, stay fit and healthy. Our primary focus is semi & personal training. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
After an 8 yr. sales career, I knew that my passion was in health & fitness. I became a certified personal trainer at the age of 28, and really had to find a way to make it work, plus make money! I began working at a small gym about 25 hrs./week, while also working retail for Lululemon. I would go personal train in the morning, then turn around and go work an afternoon/evening shift at the store. I did this for about 2.5 years until I made the switch to go work in a corporate gym setting. After 9 months of building a private clientele, the 2020 pandemic hit. Every personal trainer was furloughed, and all gyms were shut down. I’m not one to sit around, so I had to pivot and find a way to regroup myself and clients! This is the point where I created a studio in my basement for virtual training and called it “Detroit Sweat”. This included group classes, 1:1 private training, and many outside park workouts. During this time, no landlord would even consider speaking to me because gyms were not even allowed to be operating. So, I had to wait until the fall of 2020 to even start looking at potential spaces for brick-and-mortar location. 

As you know, we’re big fans of Detroit Sweat. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Detroit Sweat is a functional fitness studio that delivers an all-around approach to a sustainable body. We focus on delivering full-body workouts that include muscle endurance training, power/strength training, and metabolic conditioning training. We specialize in semi-private training, in which members receive individualized attention while working with max 5 other people, and also provide personal training programs for a more customized approach. 

We are known for our effective and efficient training model, which includes 3 full-body workouts per week. You will always have an accountability trainer coaching you and will never feel left out. Our goal is to be there for you, encourage you, and make sure you are living up to the goals you have set! You can count on us to give you direction, motivation, and commitment every single time. 

I’m proud of the Detroit sweat community we have built inside these four walls and beyond. We have such a special and unique group of members that want to better themselves. The Detroit sweat name speaks for itself, and I’m so grateful for the support that has been poured out over the past 2 years. 

Our gym is membership-based and commitment driven. We want people to find a routine and stay consistent with it. If you are looking for coaches to hold you accountable, believe in you, and keep you challenged… Come check us out! 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
You will always have the option to trial a session at Detroit Sweat, and we have new member promotions that are geared to keeping you on your toes. We openly invite beginners to start their journey with us, as well as those who are continuing their fitness journey or looking for something new! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DETROITSWEAT.FITNESS
• Instagram: @DETROITSWEAT
• Facebook: @DETROITSWEAT