Life & Work with Tony Berlant of Woodland Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Berlant

Hi Tony, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey into the health and fitness industry began in academia, where I studied Sport and Exercise Psychology and earned a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science. This strong educational foundation fueled my passion for understanding human movement, performance, and the connection between physical and cognitive health.

After completing my studies, I transitioned into personal training and fitness management, where I gained hands-on experience working with individuals to improve their health and performance. My career soon led me into the education side of the industry, serving as the Corporate Education Manager for The Sports Club Company (SC/LA), one of the most prestigious fitness brands in the country. From there, I took on leadership roles in education and programming for industry pioneers such as Mad Dogg Athletics—the creator of Spinning®️—and MedFit Classroom, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between fitness and healthcare.

These experiences deepened my expertise in program development, training, and operations, ultimately shaping my vision for Q4 Active®️. Recognizing the growing need for fitness programs tailored to older adults—particularly those that integrate both physical and cognitive training—I co-founded Q4 Active with the mission of redefining aging through innovative, science-backed exercise programs.

Today, Q4 Active is at the forefront of brain-body fitness, offering programs that improve strength, mobility, balance, and cognitive function. From our “Re-Action Potential” class utilizing SMARTFit®️ technology to our bone-loading circuit designed to combat osteoporosis, every aspect of our programming is built to help older adults live stronger, sharper, and more engaged lives.

Looking back, my journey has been driven by a commitment to education, innovation, and impact. Moving forward, I am excited to continue expanding Q4 Active’s reach, helping more people embrace aging as an opportunity for growth, vitality, and lifelong wellness.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? No, but isn’t everyone’s life filled with obstacles and challenges. I’m grateful for the relative ease of my life overall, but that doesn’t mean it was without challenges. So, I’ll just mention a couple of turning points.

Since I began with my academia, I will start there. After receiving my Master’s degree, I completed two years in a Ph.D. program for Exercise Science at the University of Oregon. I even passed my comprehensive exams, but realized this was not the path for me. I subsequently quit my program and derailed a 10-year plan to become a professor. I moved back to LA, had a 10-year relationship end on me, and became a fitness floor staff person for a local health club. Starting over at 30 was not fun.

In the private sector, I knew I wanted more stability than being a trainer, so I quickly pursued middle management and got hired by a prestigious company at the time–The Sports Club Company. I was an assistant fitness manager at the The Sports Club/LA on Sepulveda in west LA. Over 100K square feet, valet parking, a fine-dining restaurant—it was “the big time.” I co-managed over 80 personnel for a year there before moving around a few other smaller entities within the company.

I reached a national level position of corporate education director (#2 in the Fitness division, behind the VP), but something was gnawing at me, and after a couple years, I left that role. I was starting over a gain, and this time at age 38.

I worked in yoga education for a few years, and for a terrible boss, before heading to well-known Mad Dogg Athletics (creators of indoor cycling program called Spinning). I had a good 6-year run there before being laid off (first and only time) by a newly installed VP who himself ended up not lasting even a year.

I changed course and begin working with a nonprofit focused on bringing education to fitness professionals who work with individuals having chronic disease(s) or medical conditions (e.g., pregnancy). This area of the industry is called medical fitness, and it turns out that a lot of older adults deal with medical conditions ;-).

Older adults are largely ignored in the health and fitness industry, and so together with Phil Swain, a veteran industry leader, we began creating the Q4 Active concept.

Remember the pandemic? COVID? Yeah, well, that was quite an obstacle, BUT the upside was that we hadn’t opened yet. Thus, our potential was still great and we continue to grow the concept now.

The road has had a few bumps and hurdles, maybe even tumultuous at times, but I’ve certainly not had the toughest of roads. Staying positive and being grateful is best advice I received from a 106 year old friend of mine named RISA (pictured in one of the photos receiving a kiss on the cheek from me)..

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the co-founder and VP of Training and Development for a health and wellness concept called Q4 Active. Q4 Active is a pioneering fitness brand dedicated to enhancing the physical and cognitive health of older adults through innovative exercise programs. We specialize in small group fitness classes that combine strength training, functional movement, and brain training to promote longevity, independence, and overall well-being. Our unique approach integrates cutting-edge tools like SmartFit and Senso technology, along with traditional strength training methods, to create an engaging and effective experience for our members.

What truly sets Q4 Active apart is our commitment to brain health as a core component of fitness. While many programs focus solely on physical strength, we recognize that cognitive function is just as critical for aging well. Our proprietary 12-week brain training program, along with self-guided and personal brain training options, ensures that our members not only stay strong but also sharp. This holistic focus on both mind and body has positioned us as a leader in cognitive fitness, and we are known for helping older adults maintain vitality in a way that is both science-backed and enjoyable.

One of the things we are most proud of is our ability to change lives. Whether it’s a client who regains confidence in their balance, an older adult who lifts weights for the first time, or a member who sees improvements in memory and reaction time, the transformations we witness daily are deeply rewarding. We take pride in fostering a welcoming and supportive community where people feel empowered, no matter their starting point.

What differentiates Q4 Active from others is our strategic blend of evidence-based fitness, brain training technology, and an inviting atmosphere tailored specifically for older adults. Our emphasis on osteogenic loading, fall prevention, and functional strength ensures that our members can lead active, independent lives. We are not just another fitness studio—we are a movement redefining what aging looks and feels like.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve never really thought of myself as a risk-taker, nor would I think others would view me as one. I would say I am mostly conservative in that I tend to weigh all the pros and cons, and analyze situations for the least risky scenario. I am not a gambler, and I’m into fixed annuities, not tech stocks.

But when I look back at my life, I realize I have taken a number of risks that many wouldn’t. Quitting a Ph.D. program with just a year remaining was not the safe choice. I’ve gone sky diving, scuba diving, and traveled to many places in the world. The last thing accomplished on my bucket list was singing Karaoke and I’ve done that. What remains on my bucket list is doing a short stand-up comedy set, and bombing terribly. Survive that, and I can survive anything.

I do believe one must risk something in order to have an opportunity at a reward, but I am quick to cut my losses. I also think its way easier to risk other people’s money, rather than your own, and I think many people who are regarded as risk-taking mavericks but spending other people’s money shouldn’t be so highly regarded.

Pricing:

• Unlimited Classes Membership
• Personal Fitness Training available
• Personal Brain Training available
• 12-Week Brain Training Program available
• Self-Guided Brain Training available

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.q4-active.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/q4active
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/q4active