Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Hughes Parkes and Homer Parkes. They and their team shared their story with us below:
In 2018, Homer bought an old CrossFit gym in West Hollywood. It was opened in partnership with DEUCE Gym in Venice, which felt like a safe way to enter a new industry. The partnership with them was of huge value for those early years, but quickly Homer realized he wanted something different. He and a partner built a brand alongside the gym called Bodybuilding Club, which specialized in Online Training but focused heavily on its branded merch line. The momentum grew during the pandemic and when the gym reopened, they made the smart choice to combine the two and rebrand into Rodeo Athletic. This is where they essentially beta-tested the class format we use today. Soon after this, the building was sold and scheduled for demolition, so the hunt for a new home began. Homer and Ray always had a vision for a larger health club; after decades of traveling the world & experiencing all kinds of bathing cultures and, using ourselves as guinea pigs, trying all the holistic health and wellness modalities, we committed to the health club we had always wanted. The minute they walked into 2516 Hyperion the vision became a reality. They embarked on a 6 month renovation and open their doors in September 2023 & the community started to form immediately.
Before opening his first gym in 2018, Homer lived in NYC as a photographer. His artful eye is on full display at Rodeo Athletic Club in the intentional design of Rodeo’s gym, merch, and branding. In Sydney, Australia, Ray was an accomplished DJ and festival operations director. After moving to the States, they founded their own wellness tech company linking consumers with holistic healthcare providers. Ray draws from this diverse resume when managing the logistics of the gym, whether it’s leading the team or curating the music. The years of experience at the previous location allowed Homer to clearly plan for exactly what he wanted from a gym, and Ray’s experience in community building is the backbone of the tight-knit Rodeo Athletic Club experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The opening of Rodeo Athletic Club in Silverlake has been a charmed experience. It really was a culmination of all of our years of experience getting things wrong and making mistakes, coming together to make sure this location succeeded. There have been some stressful phases for sure, our construction was stressful and the risk we took to self fund & go all the way with the design elements we wanted was a huge undertaking, but we knew if we pulled back and didn’t fulfill our dream and create a place we adored and wanted to be in everyday, this was never going to truly work. We had to stick to our guns, and trust our instincts and years of experience. We also were really lucky with the location and neighborhood being hungry for what we were offering and receptive to trying something new. We have proudly produced something that not only looks and feels great, but truly gives people tangible results.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Rodeo Athletic Club we have made it our mission to make everyone feel welcome, safe and a part of our extended family. We make a real effort to learn your name, our staff are a diverse group of dedicated, caring people & our locker rooms are inclusive to cater to all genders with he/they & she/they spaces. Our classes are accessible to anyone from a complete beginner to an advanced athlete, our classes are also small in size so you’re able to access personalized attention. Our PØLAR is then the cherry on top with a sauna & ice baths that cater to not only taking care of the body from a recovery perspective but has many supportive mental health benefits. Our space is intentional, deliberate, and focused on nurturing a positive & safe community for all.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Human connection, honesty, and creativity feel like they’re completely missing in the fitness world. Nobody is funny or cute or stylish or shy or fearful. People are so relieved to come to a space like ours; from the way it’s designed to the way our staff interacts with members, the intimidation factor has been all but eliminated.
Pricing:
- Memberships: $175-335/mo.
- Drop-In Workout: $30
- Sauna and Ice Bath Drop-In: $50
- Personal Training: $120-150/hr
- Strong & Sweaty Classes drop-in: $40
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rodeoathleticclub.com
- Instagram: @rodeoathleticclub
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rodeo-athletic-club-los-angeles-2
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/rodeoathleticclub
Image Credits
Dan Collopy
James Law
