Command performance | A conversation with Ben McCrillis, owner of Train Maine
Photo/Courtesy Ben McCrillis
Ben McCrillis
Train Maine
Founded: April 2010
Employees: Two, plus four private contractors
Startup costs: Approximately $15,000
Projected revenue, year one: $167,000
Projected revenue, year two: $223,000
Contact: 450-5406
869 Main St., Suite 200
Westbrook
www.trainmainefitness.com
What is Train Maine?
Train Maine is an unusual fitness and athletic performance center. It is a semi-private training facility, as well as a system of training. The Train Maine training system requires an initial assessment that determines the design of the actual program so it is tailored to the client — whether the client’s arena is a football field or at home as a working parent. Every client goes through a Functional Movement Screen, which assesses and ranks fundamental movement patterns that are essential for normal, everyday functions and for athletic performance. The FMS identifies a person’s limitations, impingements, asymmetries and weaknesses, and that information is used to develop a progressive program. We then build a training regimen specific to that client’s needs.
If the client is an athlete, it is essential to train him or her in the right competitive arena. If you play on your feet, you will train on your feet. If your sport requires changing direction, acceleration, deceleration, jumping, etc., your training environment should mirror that as well. If you are looking to lose weight or create a healthier lifestyle, then progressive functional movements based on real-world situational biomechanics are necessary.
Staff here are required to hold a four-year degree and a minimum of two of the five major fitness certifications, and a mandatory FMS certification. They are also required to engage in a local and/or state athletic event. We require our staff to be fit and competitive to ensure credibility when working with athletes.
In addition to the one-on-one training, we offer boot-camp, team training and group fitness classes.
Why did you start the company?
To help people live a healthier lifestyle, improve on their athletic performance to assist them in gaining an athletic scholarship or professional contract, and to provide a place where education, motivation and success are administered daily. I come from a background of working in other fitness businesses … it’s a $9 billion industry in this country. I looked at other models and tried to figure out why there are so many gyms but the number of overweight and obese people keeps going up. The national average is 67% of people who join a gym quit within three months. People will spend a little more money if they get results and learn. So far, I’ve had only one client quit since we opened.
How do you market Train Maine?
Basically through word of mouth. I market the company every time an athlete wins a championship. Or when a client loses 50, 80 or 100 pounds. I also get the word out through lectures, guest appearances and seminars. We also host boot camp events and classes throughout the state.
How do you finance the company?
Personal finances.
What is the biggest challenge of running your company?
There is not enough time in a day. I run the business and instruct and work with athletes, while my instructors do most of the classes. Working with the clients is still really rewarding to me.
What is successful about your business strategy?
The combination of education, program design and experience. I went through the training myself as a 2008 Olympic hopeful [as an alternate in Greco Roman wrestling for the U.S. team.] We have a unique way of motivating hard work in a positive environment that distracts clients from realizing just how hard they are pushing themselves.
What are your future goals?
Here are a few written on the wall at my home office and at the studio: to improve on our athletes’ competitive placings at the state, New England, NCAA and world events; to have a 100% success rate with our weight-loss clientele; to provide a motivating training facility that changes people’s lives on a daily basis; to improve in every area of my business every day … even if that means by increments of 1%; to consistently provide the very best in strength and conditioning, nutrition, health and wellness and positive living.
Interview by Carol Coultas
New Ventures profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to editorial@mainebiz.biz.
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