Bobby Kwasny, the owner of Sled Dog Strength and Conditioning in Thunder Bay, Ontario has been coaching fitness since 1992. 

With 30 years in the industry—including working with OPEX Founder James FitzGerald 15 years ago—you might not think a man like this might not get much out of another certification, but he took the OPEX Coaching Certificate Program (CCP) in the fall of 2020 and explained that, even with three decades of experience, it was a game changer.

“It gave me perspective, and allowed me to take the existing skills I have and be so much more effective,” he said.

“It’s like I was a carpenter using hand tools, and someone just dropped in some power tools, so it really has allowed me to sharpen my technician and craftsman skills,” said Kwasny, who is also a Precision Nutrition coach and a trained Rolfer.

Prior to the CCP, Kwasny ran “kind of an OPEX style” gym, he explained, where he put people through a movement assessment and did a certain amount of individual design; however, it didn’t have enough structure. This is exactly what the CCP provided, he explained. 

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The principles and structure he learned through the CCP has helped him lay his vision for the future, one that will involve developing more coaches, as he now has a clear pathway to develop them, explained Kwasny, has two coaches and four interns he’s currently working with. 

“I want to be able to give what I learned to people. To be like, ‘You could be a great coach.’ I want to develop that,” he said. 

Another part of Kwasny’s vision of the future involves finally starting to charge what he’s worth.

Currently, Kwasny’s gym is still closed due to COVID-19, and when he re-opens he is going to do so with a completely different business model—one that is based on individual program design—and a new pricing structure.

“We were a $100 a month gym,” he said. When he reopens, he will be charging between $200 and $500 a month depending on the scope of the service the client is looking for. 

Kwasny is expecting some people to continue to want to remain at home in their home gym, “because so many people have pimped out home gyms now,” he said, so he’s currently experimenting with FaceTime lifestyle and behaviour sessions, which he expects will become a big part of the service he offers. 

“We’re still in the planning phase, but we’re hoping to relaunch for September,” he said. 

More than anything, Kwasny credits OPEX with giving him the confidence that his vision is possible.

“Holy shit. I’m not a $100 a month coach. That’s what I realized. Literally, that’s all it took to convince me. So that’s what OPEX gave me. ‘Yeah man, I’m worth more,’” he said. 

ARE YOU A FITNESS COACH OR INTERESTED IN BECOMING ONE?

Are you a fitness coach or interested in becoming one?

Helping people reach their goals through exercise and nutrition is a fulfilling experience.

It is also a skill that can be learned.

In just six months, you can become an independent fitness coach, running your own small business and dramatically impacting the lives of those around you.

Sound intriguing?

Download our free curriculum guide today and learn exactly how you can become a fitness coach with our Coaching Certificate Program (CCP).