The Gym Owner Playbook: Lessons from South Austin Fitness
Starring
Chris has been in fitness for over a decade. Having previously together with Mike, Chris was eager to create a gym that values a strong sense of community and is dedicated to supporting members through every step of their fitness journey.
Originally a stay-at-home mom, Rachel became inspired to join the fitness industry after training with Mike. She loves building relationships with members and is passionate about empowering women and youth in fitness.
Mike has nearly 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, starting at 24 Hour Fitness before running his own gyms. He’s passionate about building a supportive community and helping members reach their goals, drawing on his deep connections in the industry.
About Fit & Fight Gym
South Austin Fitness is a community-driven gym in South Austin focused on creating a supportive, family-like atmosphere. They offer a variety of high-intensity classes, metabolic conditioning, adaptive training, and personal coaching, along with in-house physical therapy and chiropractic care. The gym places a strong emphasis on relationships, inclusivity, and helping members achieve both physical and mental wellness goals in a welcoming, positive environment.
📍12700 Lowden Ln Unit 4, Manchaca, TX 78652
Summary
In this episode, Gymdesk CEO Alex Cuevas visits South Austin Fitness, a thriving community gym located just outside Austin, Texas. The conversation features gym owners Mike O'hara, Chris Fey, and Rachel Grieco. They share the stories that brought the team together and delving into their mission to create a gym environment that feels more like a family than a traditional fitness center.
In this interview, you’ll learn how the South Austin Fitness team leverages their collective decades of experience to foster a positive, inclusive environment for members of all fitness levels. They discuss the importance of community-driven programming, including events, social activities, and adaptive workouts that meet people where they are—whether they're rehabilitating injuries or starting their fitness journey for the first time.
The episode also highlights how South Austin Fitness uses Gymdesk for streamlined member management, class scheduling, and engagement. Chris explains how features like attendance tracking, automated check-ins, birthday notifications, and visit reminders let the team maintain strong personal connections and accountability with members. The system’s flexibility—supporting options like punch cards and multiple payment processors—has helped South Austin Fitness grow efficiently while ensuring members feel seen and supported.
