Month: September 2024

Seattle Strength & Performance has been making headlines! These features highlight everything that makes SSP unique: Chris’s inspiring transition from corporate life to fitness entrepreneurship, our innovative approach to training, and our coaches dedication to building a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and experience levels. It’s a testament to our belief that strength is for everyone. Here’s a look at the latest stories:

From Corporate to Community: Seattle Magazine
Seattle Magazine featured Chris and the journey to SSP, capturing his leap from Amazon product manager to fitness entrepreneur. “I didn’t want to be 80 years old and look back and be like, ‘I wish I would have tried this out,’” Chris shares. It’s this boldness, combined with a deep commitment to making strength training accessible, that has fueled SSP’s growth from a small studio to three thriving locations across Seattle. You can read his story in the most recent issue of Seattle Magazine!

Leading by Example: Business for Unicorns Podcast episode 370Chris’s passion for continuous learning extends beyond the gym floor. Many of you may not know, but Chris is also a business coach for Business for Unicorns, where he works with other gym owners across the country to help them create more impact and build their gym businesses. 
In his recent feature on the Business for Unicorns Podcast, Chris talks about the challenges and triumphs of opening three SSP locations in four years. “It’s not just about opening gyms—it’s about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and empowered to reach their goals.” His experience mentoring other gym owners nationwide reflects his dedication to sharing knowledge and lifting the fitness community.

Strong from the Inside Out: Well+Good FeatureOur Chief of Staff and Coach, Natalie, was featured in Well+Good, where she emphasized the importance of core strength. “Your core is the control center for every movement,” she explains. “Engaging it improves performance and helps prevent injury.” Whether deadlifting or simply reaching for a high shelf, understanding how to activate your core is critical to moving well and staying strong.

Innovating Fitness: Athletech News FeatureIn a recent feature by Athletech News, Chris shared how SSP has become a staple in Seattle’s fitness community despite the odds. Leaving behind a stable career at Amazon to pursue his passion, Chris took a leap of faith, opening SSP’s first location in 2020—just as the pandemic hit. “I wanted to follow my passion, but I didn’t go in blind,” he says. “It was a calculated risk, driven by the desire to make strength training accessible to everyone.”
SSP’s success wasn’t easy but was built on Chris’s unique entrepreneurial boldness and business fundamentals. As Athletech notes, “Travis honed two important but often opposing skill sets: an entrepreneurial boldness and willingness to take chances, tempered by an adherence to sound business fundamentals.” This strategic balance helped SSP thrive, where many boutique fitness studios struggled.
Today, with over 600 members and three locations, SSP continues to grow while staying true to its core mission: creating an inclusive environment where everybody can do strength training. From strategic studio locations to offering career opportunities for coaches, SSP is redefining what it means to be a fitness brand. “We have more work to do in Seattle,” Chris says, “but I’m excited to keep expanding this community in a way that truly supports our members and coaches.”

Creating Community: Small Business Show Podcast In a recent Small Business Show Podcast interview, Chris discussed SSP’s unique approach to fitness and community. “It’s about more than just lifting weights; it’s about creating a space where every member feels they belong and can succeed.” From the 10-year-old athlete to the 80-year-old who wants to stay active, our diverse community makes SSP special.

These features are more than just a spotlight on our brand—they celebrate our community and shared commitment to learning and growth.

Check out the links if you’d like to dive deeper into these stories. As always, we’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s a question about training or a story about your fitness journey, we’re here to support you.

At SSP, we like to wrap up our sessions with an optional last section called a workout finisher. It’s a quick, targeted section tailored to your goals—whether you want to boost your conditioning or work on specific muscle groups, we want you to leave feeling good! In this email, we’ll break down how finishers work, why and when we do them.

What Are Finishers?

Finishers are a fun way to wrap up your workout with an added challenge. They’re not part of the main progressive program, so they don’t follow the same structure as the rest of your session. Instead, think of them as a little extra spice—something to push you just a bit further, depending on your goals.

Why We Add Finishers

As Coach Sam says: “First and foremost, finish your main workout! Finishers are meant to be fun and extra on top of the main portion. They’re generally not progressive (unless we’re working on something specific).”

Coach Nat adds: “I like to think of finishers as the cherry on top—a way to send you out the door on a high note. It’s a chance to add a little more of what you want or need.”

So, while finishers aren’t 100% necessary, they are a great way to challenge yourself or focus on something specific that ties into your goals. Plus, they can be a fun way to finish your training for the day!

Should You Do the Finishers?

Before jumping into the finisher, it’s crucial that you complete the main part of your workout first. The main workout is where the real progress happens—it’s structured, personalized, and programmed to help you reach your goals. So, finishers should always be an add-on, not a substitute. If you’re feeling good and have the energy to take on that final challenge, go for it! But if you’ve already given it your all, don’t feel bad about skipping the finisher—it’s entirely optional.

Remember, finishers are just the bonus round. It’s all about listening to your body and doing what feels right for you.