Business: Beyond measuring fitness training
Address: 600 Industrial Drive, Naperville
Phone/Website: 331-231-2606; www.beyondmeasuretraining.com
Co-Owner: Yorkville resident Steve Hillwalk, 37, owns the business with his wife, Kate
Years in business: 14
What does your business do? “The biggest thing for me, with fitness, is that people can be scared. It can be overwhelming. I try to change their perception of fitness and give them a positive experience with movement and exercise. Often times, people doubt that they can get better. Our goal is to give people hope that they can change in the first session,” Halliwick said.
What did you study for this in college? “Practice science, physiology. I have all the certifications.”
What happens when a new customer comes in? “We see where you’re at. We take you through a range of motion to make sure nothing is causing pain. Learn about how you move. It gives a general sense of how and where to start practicing properly. Then we start. I’d say it’s simply frustrating. There are all kinds of skills, like anything else. Like playing the piano. The simpler the better. … We meet everyone where they are. It is progressing slowly.
“It’s about figuring out what you can do and building on it over time. … Every session is different. Every person is different. That’s what makes it fun for all of our coaches. They’re certified and passionate about what they do.”
How big is each class? “We keep it really small, like personal training. Up to five people at a time. … The benefit is the community. It’s more fun for the members. … People know your name. It helps.”
what are your hours “We start at 5 a.m. Last session is Monday through Thursday at 7 p.m. Friday, last session is Saturday at 5 p.m. We are closed on Sundays from 7 to 11 a.m.”
What is demographics? “The median age is 50. We do well with people over 70.”
How many trainers work here? “six.”
Does your wife work here? “She runs a business from home. We met at North Central (college in Naperville). She played softball. We started dating her senior year. Our son is 4 and our daughter is 18 months. … It’s amazing.”
Why do you love your job? “It would be hard for me to find anything more important to people than helping them take care of their own health. For us, that’s really powerful. We see ourselves as preventative health care. … Chronic disease in this country is preventable.
“My father died of lung cancer. A heavy smoker. The suffering I suffered was preventable. If we can help people avoid these conditions and live long, full lives, that’s important to us.”
Why focus on fitness? “I was an athlete. Not the biggest or the fastest. I had to work hard for everything I got. I loved the (training) process.”
What about the competition? “Within ten miles of this address, there are 238 gyms or fitness centers. … We’re honest and real with people. … We’re not concerned with competition. 83 percent of the population doesn’t belong to a gym. … There’s no shortage of market here.”
What is the background? “I started in the garage in 2012. … I played baseball and football at North Central. One of my baseball teammates was Sam Karius. He was the son of Al Karius, who passed away last year. The legendary cross country and track coach at North Central. … Sam found out I was training in a friend’s half-garage. … I offered eight people from Simgar for the Rangers out of 10. I don’t know what. His parents were aware… I turned all my money into a real gym.
“In 2012, a school teacher was killed. He was my best friend and roommate, Shawn Wilde. Totally senseless tragedy. … He was stabbed in Frankie’s blue room. … Shawn ended the fight. The boy turned around and shot Shawn in the heart. … Shawn was the best man, like my brother. A good friend like me, my color model friend. Here’s black and gold because it’s on His high school colors were in Wisconsin.
What do you charge? “We’re $40 to $55 per session.”
What is your advice for someone starting a business? “Spend at least five years learning everything necessary to run said business. … You must know sales, marketing, finance and management.”
Steve Mitsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled on Down to Business, contact them at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.
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