Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Metcalf.
Andrea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
As a health and fitness expert and vegetable watching late night TV, I saw an episode of Shark Tank. After realizing that the product “surfset Riptensity” boards had been around for 4 years, I was surprised to find that there was not one Surfset Only studio in Chicago. Although there were a few boards in the city, there was not an open floor studio with multiple boards for classes.
With that in mind, I flew to NYC and tried a few surfset classes and loved it. It was something new that worked on the total body, balance, and core – what I know helps people feel and perform their best.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I sold my first fitness studio about 8 years ago and missed the business. I recently was contracted to run a large fitness studio while I was opening a new facial bar nearby. I finished my contract with them and decided a Pilates studio would be my next step – then I saw Shark Tank with Surfiest boards, and thought this could be a great adventure.
Leasing space in Chicago is not easy – My current landlord allowed me to pick up the space right next door to Tasty Facial Bar but only as a POP UP to start… somehow we managed a longer term… but knowing that the concept was working and not really knowing if we had space was difficult. We started with 6 boards and now have doubled to 12! So classes are still small but large enough to do parties and events.
With over 30 years in the fitness world, I am grateful to have found a new niche that works and keeps growing.
Obstacles? I made the mistake of being limited with staffing – the instructors who were went through the initial training to teach classes are great … but they all work full=time jobs so they are limited as to when they can teach – so out of almost 20 classes on the schedule… I teach all but 5! It’s harder on my body now as I am in my fifties … but with lemons come lemonade… I now teach more of the lower impact yoga and Pilates formats that work well.
Hang 5 Fitness Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are the largest SURFSET Studio in Chicago offering 3 formats of classes: Surf Blend, Surf YogaTM, Float Pilates TM. Surf YogaTM and Float Pilates TM are being trademarked and rolled out nationally in the next 3-6 months.
All classes take place on the Riptensity Surfset Fitness boards for the majority of the class–all but the warmup and cool down of the classes. Total balance and core training are part of every format.
We have had more than 800 people come into class since we opened on January 10th, 2017.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is where opportunity meets preparation. The trouble is you never really feel totally prepared so you have to jump. My personal success is seeing people come back to classes and continuing to see growth in our classes each week. It’s amazing to watch a climbing chart. We are changing attitudes and bodies at the same time. Success is seeing people find trust and confidence in their performance and ability to ride the waves.
Pricing:
- Single Class $30
- Package $100 for 5 classes
- Celebrate and Surf Parties $30/person includes a party room and Surfset Fitness class
- First time & Student Pricing $20
Contact Info:
- Address: 2203 N Halsted, Chicago, IL. 60614
- Website: www.Hang5Fitness.com
- Phone: 630-670-4700
- Email: surfsetchicago@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hang5fitness1
- Facebook: @Hang5fitness
- Yelp: Hang 5 Fitness
Image Credit:
Taken by Andrea Metcalf
