Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness

It may not seem special to see treadmills in a gym today, but when John Aglialoro saw a use for a heart-testing tool as a means to run indoors, it changed the course of the fitness industry forever. In this episode of Gym Class, Aglialoro, the chairman and CEO of Cybex joins Hossein and Leigh to talk treadmills, economics and the challenge of getting the world to value exercise. Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

Few people in the fitness industry are as self-effacing as Jim Worthington, but it becomes hard to believe when you hear what this former gym manager, professional racquetball player and hometown kid has turned the Newtown Athletic Club into over the past 30 years. In this episode, Jim joins Leigh and Hossein to discuss creating a Lifestyle Club, his lessons learned in life and the best place to get a cheesesteak in Philly. Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

David Von Storch’s story of success began when a mysterious buyer made an offer he couldn’t refuse on his first business: a nightclub in Washington, D.C. With the capital from that sale, Von Storch went on to create one of the most exciting fitness clubs in the country, VIDA Fitness. In this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” Von Storch joins Hossein and Leigh to discuss operating a club with a city vibe, the differences between running a restaurant and a gym, and how he plans to expand his empire. Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

Randy Hetrick is the creator of the TRX Suspension Trainer and the founder of TRX. Inventing a workout while operating in a war zone probably makes Hetrick’s story one of the most interesting the fitness industry has ever known. But it’s what he has done afterward that is just as incredible. In this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” Hetrick, a former Navy Seal, joins Hossein and Leigh to tell the start-up stories that have led to one of the most innovative new products to hit the fitness industry in years. Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

Phil Wendel was a high school teacher in 1967 looking to make extra cash when a friend asked him to help chaperone a junior high trip to Washington, DC. That trip spurred an idea that turned into Lakeland Tours and made him a millionaire. It also gave him the bug to dive into another business – opening the first Atlantic Coast Athletic Club in 1984. On this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness” Phil joins Hossein and Leigh to talk about medical fitness, entrepreneurship and how he learned that he had to pay attention to his clubs if they were ever going to succeed.  Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

Total Gym founder Tom Campanaro was wrapping up a bodybuilding career when he and his partners thought up a creation that improved upon an idea dating back to the 1800s. Then they hit the road to find anybody who might find their new invention useful. But it was the emergence of cable television that launched them into a new stratosphere of success. Through infomercials, Total Gym took off.In this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” Campanaro joins Leigh and Hossein to tell the true story behind what is arguably the world’s best-known fitness brand. Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

Tim and Liz Rhode are the quintessential independent entrepreneurs – adventurous, curious, and in constant pursuit of bringing their vision to reality. In this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” Tim Rhode, the founder of the Maryland Athletic Club discusses his windy road to opening his first gym, his partnership with his wife, and how to put people onto a path to healthy living and wellness that guarantees success.Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

Growing up in the industry and assembling Total Gym gliding planks in his family garage with his buddies, Jesse Campanaro proves that despite the good fortune of being the son of the founder, no one is as prepared to lead a fitness company in the 21st century as he is. In this episode, Jesse joins Hossein and Leigh to talk Chuck Norris, Christie Brinkley and the next 40 years of Fitness. Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

Scott Gillespie found himself as a “fixer” of operationally challenged health clubs. But when he met his ultimate test, a poorly managed, financially strapped facility in Saco, Maine, the former professional skier and professional soccer hopeful began his greatest fix ever. In this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” the IHRSA board director joins Leigh and Hossein to discuss the journey that defined his club’s brand and the fateful story of the night his entire club burned to the ground from arson. Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft

Paul Byrne is the reason nearly every gym and health club in America has an elliptical machine. In this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” the soon to be retired CEO of Precor joins Hossein and Leigh to talk about where the idea for the elliptical came from, the controversial sales channels he used to market it that ultimately led to its prominence in the industry, and the challenges of staying up with every trend and innovation in fitness. Rounded out by discussions of fly-fishing and bull castration, this episode is sure to be an inspiration for fitness inventors and innovators. 

When Chris Clawson’s hopes for a professional baseball career wound down, he found another passion – sales. In this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” Clawson, the president of Life Fitness, the world’s leading fitness manufacturer, chats with Hossein and Leigh about his thoughts on product marketing, cars, what he learned from Augie Nieto, and the future of fitness.

Colin Irving was known for many things before creating the Real Ryder Indoor Cycle – a featured actor in the movie “Dead Poets Society,” Producer/writer on “The Man Show,” even “son of world famous author John Irving.” But a passion for cycling and an upbringing in the cold snowy winters of Vermont gave Irving an idea for the most realistic indoor bicycling experience possible. In this episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” Irving joins Hossein and Leigh to talk about the road that led him to the creation of one of the most innovative products in fitness seen in years.

Ron Hemelgarn is the true American success story and, in the inaugural episode of “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” he joins Hossein and Leigh for a look back at his life and career in fitness. From earning money collecting scraps as a kid, to getting his first job in the industry by fixing equipment, you’ll hear how we built one of the largest chains of health clubs in the world based on out-servicing the competition and fulfilled a boyhood dream of winning the Indy 500.

Fitness is an industry of entrepreneurs and visionaries, a place where innovation and independence can change the world.   In “Gym Class: Heroes of Fitness,” the biggest names in fitness join Motionsoft’s Hossein Noshirvani & Leigh Kessler every week to tell their personal stories and explain what their vision was and what it took for them to see that vision come to reality. From growing up, to learning what got them into the world of fitness, to the moments that led them to their game-changing ideas, and what they learned after, we get the stories behind all of it.  Presented by iClubs and Motionsoft