For owner Seena Khonsari, one of the most rewarding parts of the business is to work with older trainees. It is one thing to train a 25-year-old; it is another to train a person who does not think they are capable of exercise, Khonsari said.
“Here, we speak beginner,” he said.
Since StrongFound Personal Training opened in Pearland in March 2016, clients have come to lose weight, gain muscle or have accountability. Being able to meet the client regardless of where they are is one of the best parts of being a personal trainer, Khonsari said.
“Ultimately, we are providing leadership,” he said. “We are changing lives.”
After undergoing renovations and rebranding in September 2019, the business started to offer small group classes. While personal training is still the focus, the business offers nutrition training and group classes as well.
The business had only a short time to adjust to its new fitness programs before COVID-19 hit in March, Khonsari said.
“This is the year of fighting the universe,” he said.
Early in the pandemic, Khonsari shut down the gym. To keep the business running, StrongFound gave its clients equipment and offered classes over Zoom. The program was such a success that it is now a permanent feature, Khonsari said.
COVID-19 was not the first struggle he faced: When Khonsari started StrongFound, he did not realize it would be so hard to get people to come to a gym.
However, Khonsari is hopeful the tools StrongFound has used over the pandemic will be enough to keep the business in competition with bigger gyms.
“It’s time for the small guy to have a rise and a place,” he said.
