Today we’d like to introduce you to Allen Woolsey.
Allen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After operating an I.T. business for over 15 years, I decided that I needed to do something more fulfilling with my life. I was currently doing CrossFit at a gym in Downtown Los Angeles and after they closed, I took it upon myself to start my own CrossFit gym.
I had been training clients on my own for a couple of years before opening CrossFit Direct Action, but I wanted to do it on a much larger scale. Helping others be fit and healthy became a huge passion for me and it just made sense to leave the I.T. world and enter the CrossFit world.
We have been open for 4 years now and just recently expanded from 3,000 sq. ft. to 6,000 sq. ft. We currently offer CrossFit classes, Bootcamp classes, and Personal Training.
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting a business is never a smooth road. I have learned much in the past 4 years of what not to do and what I should have done. The marketing game for CrossFit is completely different than your restaurant, or grocery store or hair salon game. Our biggest challenge has always been trying to get ourselves out there that we exist. We have tucked away in an industrial/residential area and not easily visible from the street. Though we do have banners and A-frames out, people don’t always see them.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a CrossFit gym that focuses on functional fitness and forging a community of motivating people. We aren’t like most CrossFit gyms and we definitely aren’t the cheapest gym in the area.
We are big on putting everyone through a beginners course that we call “Fundamentals”. This is a 6-day course of Personal Training that teaches the basics of CrossFit movements. It also takes all the intimidation out since it is a 1 on 1 class with a Coach.
Our classes aren’t about how much we can get done in 1 hour. We focus on form and technique. This approach not only develops each member in a safe way but allows them to get more out of the workout than someone who is never taught correctly. We strive to keep everyone injury free and focus on getting them to their goals so that they may reach new goals after that.
We also have a cool upstairs lounge that members get to hang out at!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Azusa is a great city for gyms, but there are now so many to choose from that opening another one here would be pointless. I say focus on a city that doesn’t yet have a CrossFit gym. There are still plenty of cities that need them and plenty of residents that want one.
Pricing:
- $165 per month (no contracts).
- $250 for the first month (this includes the 6-day Fundamentals course) and then regular pricing after.
Contact Info:
- Address: 531 S. Clydebank Ave
Azusa, CA 91702 - Website: www.crossfitdirectaction.com
- Phone: 626-969-0858
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @cfdirectaction
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/crossfitdirectaction
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/cfdirectaction
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/crossfit-direct-action-azusa
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