New Year’s resolutions are in the air, and we’ll just bet that many of yours involve health and fitness! What thought that this would be a perfect time to introduce you to Mike Ross-Spang and Healthy Habits Personal Fitness Studio. Thanks to Mike and to Gladys Strickland for the interview below, and check back soon for some of Mike’s new fitness features!
So tell us a little bit about what you do?
I own and operate Healthy Habits Personal Fitness Studio. My favorite title is Chief Exercise Officer.
What inspired you to open this business?
After progressing about as far as I could see my career in corporate fitness going locally, I decided to go into business for myself, and decided on personal training as the right place to be.
Healthy Habits was founded in 1990 as a traveling trainer business, and moved into its present building on Brookhaven Circle in 1993. I believe it is the oldest personal fitness studio in Memphis. I started my business as Elite Personal Fitness Trainers in 1998, opened a location inside the old Bogey’s Entertainment Center in 2000 and added another inside Ridgeway Country Club in 2002. In 2004, Bogeys was sold, so I closed that site and bought Healthy Habits, keeping that name since it was better known. We still have the Ridgeway site as well.
What makes Healthy Habits Fitness unique?
Several things make us stand out. First, we only offer personal and small group training by appointment. We don’t have memberships or contracts, so we have to do a great job as trainers every time so our clients will keep coming back. Second, we have 4 private exercise rooms, not one big common area, so you have privacy and your trainer is not distracted by other things going on.
Our professional trainers are certified by the top organizations in the field, who average about 8 years of experience as trainers. We don’t hire fresh-faced college kids who are at least as interested in looking for dates or to show off their 6 pack abs as they are in seeing that clients reach their goals. Lastly, we have some pre-packaged programs, but we pride ourselves in customizing solutions to meet client goals and lifestyles. We see some clients 4 times a week and some 4 times a year, depending on what works for them.
What was your first job?
Caddying at age 12 at Miami Valley Country Club in Dayton, OH. I made 6 whole dollars for 5 hours of work, $12 for carrying 2 bags. Second job at 15 working for Herle’s Big & Tall Men’s Store and Tuxedo Rental. Started at .$80 an hour, learned how to play poker, and had the best tux at every prom I attended.
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?
Yes, from a Harry Chapin song, “It’s got to be the going, not the getting there, that’s good.”
Do you make New Year’s resolutions? And do you keep them?
Sort of. I try to set quarterly objectives, but I’m generally not very formal about it and I don’t usually keep them the first time. See Favorite Quote.
Any unhealthy habits?
I tend to stretch the recommendations for daily alcohol intake by 1. Also, I love tater tots.
Speaking of tater tots, what are your favorite foods?
Can’t give you just one- I love salmon, steak, peanut butter, chips and hummus or salsa, ice cream or frozen yogurt, fruit pies.
What’s on your bucket list?
Mainly travel. I would love to see Macchu Picchu, Europe and Alaska.
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
Reading the paper over breakfast, seeing a few clients, exercise, golf, dinner and a movie with family and/or friends, reading a good book until it hits me in the face and I’m asleep.
Favorite Memphis activities?
Hiking (formerly running) at Shelby Farms; Memphis Zoo; IMAX theater [at the Pink Palace]; Sun Studio; L Ross Gallery; South Main Trolley Tour; Live at the Garden [at the Botanic Garden]; watching my son’s bands play.
What’s the best thing about living in Memphis?
Year round golf!
What is one thing Memphians could do to be healthier?
Move more!
Healthy Habits is committed to helping the people of the greater Memphis area achieve their fitness and weight loss goals. We offer personal and small group training by appointment in one of our 4 private exercise rooms or at your site. We don’t have memberships or contracts, so we have to do a great job with every session to keep our clients coming back.
[...] Q and A with Mike Ross-Spang [...]