Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Hark.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Wow, it has already been 13 years!? This all Started in 2008, Training in gyms like LA Fitness, 24 Hour, PAC, Fitness Together, BeingFit, you name the gym in SD in 2008 and you’d find me! On the side, I was a wrestling coach for my High School (El Capitan) and would strength train and condition athletes on the side and during off-season. Little by little I went from training my athletes outdoors to more and more clients and before I knew it, I had multiple groups 3 times a week running through conditioning programs in parks from Del Mar down to El Cajon.
In 2011, I began renting space in other studio gyms to hold my training sessions and group classes, and in 2014 I signed my first lease making NXPT a stand-alone fitness studio!
NXPT started as No Excuses Physical Training, and through the years of developing experience, learning from our growing industry, competing in multiple sports and sides of fitness, and of course trial and error, we established a unique and well rounded approach to group fitness. No Excuses Physical Training became NXPT Fit, and now we hold the template to the most well rounded and dynamic group class structure in San Diego. Our class sizes average 30-40 people and we implement everything from aerobic capacity, strength, functional work, and sport specific training. In short, we do it all! We now have 4 studios, 2 specific to high intensity group exercise, 1 yoga studio, and 1 spin studio!
My wife, has been a part of our mission since day 1. Our team effort is the only reason our business has made it this far! From all our support systems, Trainers, and new partners like our La Mesa Studio owner Hannibal, the teamwork has 100% made this dream work.
It has been a journey of sacrifice and determination, and still is. But each day we encourage and motivate so many people, fight chronic disease, change lives, and make a difference. That makes each battle worth the fight, and each victory worth celebrating.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We know adversity well here at NXPT. lol. We have multiple sayings here at NXPT that represents how we feel about obstacles or adversity- “Overcome ALL obstacles” “Adversity causes some to break, others to break through” and what we preach daily, “Embrace the process.”
Small business in a service industry like fitness is always going to be a battle. Even more so in fitness saturated places like San Diego. We compete daily with franchise pop ups and chains with unlimited marketing funds. But what makes us so unique/special, and successful is that as large as our following is and we have grown, my partner and I have direct contact daily with our members and staff that allows the “mom and pop” feel. Creating new classes based on events coming up, changing styles based on the demographic shift, customizing programing based on the needs of our members are all things that we can do because of how involved we are in our locations. That type of adversity is tough but can be fun.
Then there are years like 2020 where we are forced to shut down and face the uncertainty we all faced during this time. Going into late March of 2020, there was so much unknown- so we shut down as we were asked and it gave us the ability to start and perfect our online platform. We went LIVE for daily workouts everyday for 18 months and had over 1,500 virtual followers. It truly was a blessing in disguise. Even though we did our online workouts for over a year, we only stayed closed until May 1. Once we realized after Cardiovascular Health. Metabolic Health, and Mental Health were such key elements in helping people overcome what was happening and that gyms posed no more of a risk than the grocery stores and casinos that were open, we opened our doors. We put protocols in place; hand washing stations, sanitized between each class, and many many more steps, and now being over a year past that point, have never had any issues relating to the pandemic. We are strong advocates that your physical health is the most important preventative thing you can do to prevent the traumatic effects of what is going on currently with Covid.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in fitness. From our YogaX studio, to our SpinX studio, to our NXPTfit Studios, we cover everything related to physical and mental health. We are known for our volume of classes, offering over 30 classes per day between all our locations, and our personable staff that know your name and get to know you through your fitness journey. All our Trainers lead the way by being champions or dominant forces in their field of fitness.
From OCR Champions, Ironman and Triathletes, Crossfit competitors, physique and bodybuilding pros, you name it and they are the tip of the spear! And That is truly what sets us apart, our staff care about you and get to know you while providing the best service possible, all while leading by example.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Where we are right now was without doubt a team effort! From my wife Racheal believing in the concept and day after day knowing the lack of sleep, income, and the grind would pay off. To our members who some, have been with us for 10+ years, supporting us every step of the way, never complaining about the growing pains and always seeing the vision. And the lifeblood of our day to day, our trainers which often donate personal time on top of their hours to make NXPT the best it can be. My partner Hannibal who spearheads our La Mesa location, came in 4 years ago with a rocket strapped to his back, forcing me out of my comfort zone and believing that NXPT should and could reach more San Diegans and we needed to expand.
With his belief and effort behind the brand, and all those that came before, we have grown exponentially and are continuing to expand! It is exciting to see what we have accomplished, and yet we have a vision for so much more to come!
Pricing:
- $97 monthly UNLIMITED access
- $10 for a 10 day UNLIMITED pass!
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@nxptfit.com
- Website: nxptfit.com
- Instagram: NXPTfit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NXPTfit
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/nxptfit
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nxpt-fitness-studio-san-diego-4?osq=nxpt
- Other: yogaXspin.com
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