Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Riley.
Chris, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always been into strength training and lifting weights so it had always been a goal of mine to open up my own gym and that dream grew stronger with time and all the competing I did Nationally. I am a competitive powerlifter so I love being around weights and in the gym. The fact that this is what I do for a living is pretty awesome.
I had worked at many gyms growing up starting when I was 17 and never turned back. So, going into college I thought, since I am so interested in strength training and lifting weights I might as well study it and study how the body works.
I received my Bachelors in Kinesiology and my Masters in Exercise Physiology. Through grad school I worked with the football team in the Strength and Conditioning dept. which was a lot of fun and a lot of work too. It was a great experience, I learned a lot and it help me realize what I really want to do which is open my own gym.
Once I graduated, I moved to Dallas and I was able to get some equipment and I start training people out of my garage. I did this for about a year and then I started looking for a space. The process of looking for a space is very difficult especially since I was a new business. But I finally landed one and got moved in with the help of family and friends in July of 2014.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been a lot of work and a lot of fun and I am just getting started.
Finding a building that worked and getting all my inspections from the city was a huge obstacle in itself and I hadn’t even opened yet. Once I opened there were a handful of issues with the space, the main one being the roof. Every time it rained it leaked SO much, it was like it was raining inside. So, trying to operate a new business with a leaky roof was tough. It finally got fixed and we are dry now.
Besides repairs and things of that nature the toughest part was getting people through the door and educating them on why strength training is so important. Getting a member was always a great accomplishment because that meant I could help that person get stronger and that my doors will stay open another day.
The first couple months were tough in that aspect. I had very few members and I was working long days (I always do) and getting very little sleep. Every month I grinded away and made it happen and just kept growing, we have been open for 3 years and now have a great group of members and a great community. We keep growing every day and always have room for new athletes.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Dallas Strength and Conditioning – what should we know?
Dallas Strength and Conditioning has a combined experience of 25 years in strength sport, body recomposition, and health and fitness. Our knowledge base draws from successful body transformations, high-level competition in powerlifting and weightlifting, and a wide and varied resume in teaching, instructing, and coaching athletes and trainees of all backgrounds.
Dallas Strength and Conditioning has the planning and the methods to get you there. Strength drastically affects many other attributes, protects you from injury, and allows you to do more and do it harder. Whether you want to get stronger for competition, be a better, more resilient athlete on the field or the court, or just want to get strong and fit now and into your old age, we can help you do it. We have a combined 25 years in strength training, powerlifting and weightlifting competition, and general health and fitness – we are an invaluable knowledge base and thinktank that can channel your efforts into the best possible results.
We are a strength focused gym that specializes in barbell training. We have the coaching experience, the practical experience, and the competition experience. There are two coaches here and we have a lot of knowledge and expertise with barbell training, sport specific training, and kettlebell training.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There is a handful of people that helped make this dream/gym possible and they all played an intricate part.
Brent Kim, who is the other coach here has always been there for me and the gym. He was there from day one helping with the setup of the website and with setting up the equipment. Him and I have been friends for over 10 years and he is a great friend! He plays a huge role in the day to day coaching here at the gym and handles all of the Olympic weightlifting. He is a superior coach and a great friend.
My Wife, Ellee Carlson who is by my side every step of the way helping me, encouraging, pushing me to be my best, and always having my best at heart. She is someone that has always believed in me and I could not have done this without her. Ellee is always there helping with set-ups, new ideas, marketing, and helping me stay organized.
My parents and my sister who have been there for me from day one and have always supported the me and the gym.
All of my friends that help support me and the gym and promote it. Who also help get things set up in the beginning
John Eaves, one of my first clients who started with me when I was in the garage and is still going strong. He has been very supportive throughout the years.
Dr. Lon Kilgore who was my professor though grad school. Whom I learned a tremendous about strength training, anatomy, and anything exercise related.
And of course, all of my members and clients! Thanks
Pricing:
- 12 Month Plan: $150 per month $80 for the first month with a purchase of 1 year agreement (unlimited classes)
- 6 Month Plan: $170 per month (unlimited classes)
- 3 Month Plan: $185 a month (unlimited classes)
- 1 Session/Week- $220/ Month (small group/individual training)
- 2 Sessions/Week- $399/Month (small group/individual training)
- 3 Sessions/Week- $570/month (small group/individual training)
- 4 Sessions/Week- $679/Month (small group/individual training)
- Single Sessions: 1hr- $70 90min- $85
Contact Info:
- Address: 5626 Maple Ave Suite 140
Dallas, TX 75235 - Website: http://www.dallasstrengthandconditioning.com/
- Phone: 469 964 5752
- Email: criley@dallasstrengthandconditioning.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasstrengthandconditioning
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dallasstrengthandconditioning/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DallasSandC
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dallas-strength-and-conditioning-dallas
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
