01/01/2023
Studio 55
It all began inside the former Cutting Edge Fitness Center in Whitesboro….When I created what became a very popular Group Fitness Class….BurnBoxAbs! Darkness, Black lights, Thumping Sound System, and a creative and “non-robotic” workout that was a robust combination of boxing and Leg Strikes, Indoor Cycling, and extreme Abs!!!!!
That inspired what would become (at one point) 100+ Group Fitness Classes/week in Unique, Independent, Gorgeous Studio Venues serving the communities in and Around Yorkville, New Hartford, Herkimer, Rome, and even a touch in Oneida…for well over a decade collectively.
With Studio55, We disrupted the way Amazing and Talented instructors were paid….At that time, Instructors were being paid $15-$20/hr …and i was told by a couple instructors that one local gym even made 2 instructors split the pay. The new system known as Studio55….changed Group Fitness for Instructors by giving them a huge opportunity to make a lot more $$ (60/40 split)…so they would make 40% of what ever they brought in! Some of the most popular instructors were making well over $120/hr….That’s what i call opportunity….
…..and for many…it wasn’t even about the money….but it was nice to share and support these great instructors (everyone can use a little extra).
We changed Group Fitness for our awesome customers too by getting rid of all the barriers put in place by gyms such as my own (Contracts, Membership Fees etc)
We sold tickets as little as $3.79/class to keep things affordable….and the greatest benefits of the tickets…is that they were shareable with friends and family…and unlike a gym membership …with Studio55, when you went to class you paid…when you didn’t go you didn’t lose $! (People join gyms and some would pay year round memberships to show up only once in a while with a spike of motivation.…but they were “locked in” to a membership.…so they were spending money when they weren’t using it.)
Studio55 gave a platform for MANY local Fitness Professionals to grow themselves and to create “homegrown” classes….We tried the Les Mills type programs but always went back to our homegrown, unlimited instructor creativity type formats…..believe it or not …..One of our greatest….didn’t succeed with the Les Mills programs…but is what many would refer to now as one of the best group fitness legends…in CNY…because he “created” his own Program…on his own terms !
Studio55 ALSO Spawned and Inspired the opening of many Independent Studios t/o CNY by Instructors who got their launch at Studio55……Many would look at this as a failure…..Not Me….I look at the thousands and thousands of people who are healthier today because of all the amazingly talented Group Fitness Instructors and their own beautiful studios and offerings. Studio 55 gave rise to people….to colleagues…..we fostered opportunity. We created instructors who were terrified to get in front of a group….One particular Spinning instructor cried to me over the phone the night before her first class …..and didn’t want to do it…..She became a legend….here in CNY!
Studio55 would never have been so successful or brought so many great instructors to their limelight or created so many enduring, lifelong friendships without the financial support of the Company behind the Studio55 brand….Function Better PT PLLC.
In recent years, Insurance companies have cut reimbursement for skilled services provided by our Therapists and Therapist Assistants and have developed increased barriers to access care…..including in 2022 cutting a whopping 15% for services provided by our Amazing Physical Therapist Assistants to the beautiful Medicare beneficiaries of our communities…++++ another 3-5% across the board for Physical Therapy….AND another 4.5% in reimbursement cuts taking hold right now January 2023!
These cuts, for a healthcare business begin to become insurmountable without disruptive action and innovative business model creation. (It’s not just us….local Physicians can attest that practicing medicine becomes increasingly more difficult and burdensome with each passing year….it’s a real problem!!!! And in the end, unfortunately, patients suffer.
So, as a thought leader in my industry, I have designed and developed a new way forward for Function Better ….like I did for Studio55 back in 2011! It takes time to adopt changes….trust in the process will evolve in time.
Change is never easy….but change is necessary. For those who can see the big picture it will come easier.
One of the changes is that we have decided to let all the other beautiful and talented Fitness Professionals and Venues in the Area ….absorb what remained at Studio55….including the remaining and highly loyal and legendary Instructors….you are in great hands….and local fitness centers just received a great treat in these professionals.
We must focus on a new building process that requires so much more than meets the common eye…..
You will see changes within Function Better….but have no doubt……You will see Function Better for MANY years to come….and right now, although we are taking a break on the Group Fitness front……..Keep an eye out for Function Better’s re-entry in the future of fitness (at the exact right time)….it will come….First things first. 🙏🏻
For now, We love you and THANK YOU all…..Instructors, Customers, Colleagues, Fitness Venues….(And a special thank you to my wife, Kimberly Martin for her amazing schedule and staff management over the years and for all that Awesome Painting!!!!) We are all on the same mission…..to live a long AND healthy life…..minimizing the onset and/or impact of disease.
Please always cheer for Function Better….as we cheer for you!
Happy New Year ! 2023
