The fitness industry took some hard hits during covid with lockdowns forcing gyms to close their doors for months, but while many gyms struggled to survive, at least one Logan business thrived.
Alex Kovacs and Jo Higgins started their venture together in May 2020 running small outdoor bootcamps. The pair were both working in a commercial gym at the time when they decided to go out on their own.
Ms Higgins said they had been talking about setting up a gym for years, but Covid forced them into it.
“We can actually thank Covid for forcing us out of the big box gym environment and making us realise that we are amazing trainers, and we can make it in this industry out on our own,” she said.
As the restrictions began to ease, their bootcamps began to grow and Ms Higgins turned her backyard into an outdoor studio. Within months their numbers grew to 40 people, so they had to look for somewhere bigger.
Ironbark Fitness – which now has over 85 members – officially opened its doors on June 21 last year and just three days in, Queensland went into another lockdown.
“We had a 3-day lockdown in our first week of being open and we had so much support from our current members and family, because everyone knew how much this meant to us and what we had sacrificed to open the business,” Ms Kovacs said.
“It made us more resilient. More determined. We found that the members wanted our style of training. They didn’t want to go back to a big gym and deal with intimidation from other members and salespeople,” she said.
“We knew that if we kept focused on giving members great training sessions and created a comfortable training space it would work for us, and we’d get through the tough Covid times.”
Ms Higgins said gyms have become more fashionable but that isn’t necessarily a good thing.
“Gyms have become fashionable so most big box gyms have a client base of over 1000 members and if you’re not one of the cool kids, then you’re forgotten,” she said.
The industry is “overrun by uneducated and unqualified ‘Instagram Influencers’ and there is so much misinformation.”
“What we bring to the table is inclusion, accountability, recognition, information, compassion, corrections, belonging and community. We’re a family, just like how gyms use to be.”
Earlier this year, the pair were able to raise $900 for the Lismore Flood Appeal and sent down two car loads of donated items including clothing, food, toiletries, toys, baby items, cleaning products and bedding.
They also hosted a community fundraiser on the rooftop of the LSKD headquarters and their business partner Bloomin’ Coffee donated a percentage of the coffees sold to the appeal.
Ironbark Fitness is located at 4053 Pacific Hwy, Loganholme. For more information visit www.ironbarkfitness.com.au
