Today we’d like to introduce you to Eli Hargis.
Hi Eli, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey into personal training began the summer before my senior year of college. I interned unpaid at a fitness club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I worked there all summer, fell in love with the work, and knew I wanted personal training to become my career. During my senior year of college, I would help my friends with their workouts for free and even assisted my college football team in creating our strength and conditioning program because the coaches trusted my insights.
After graduating, I started working at my local YMCA, training clients. From there, I got a job at a gym focused more on training athletes. With about six months of experience at these two gyms, I secured a position at a Gold’s Gym in downtown Pittsburgh as a personal trainer. I moved there and quickly did well. I eventually got promoted to sales director and then to senior sales director. During this time, I was the only person in the company training clients and handling sales simultaneously.
After nearly three years of success in Pittsburgh, I applied to Lifetime Fitness in Charlotte, North Carolina. My wife and I moved to Charlotte in 2020, and I worked at Lifetime for almost three years. I had a lot of success there, consistently ranking in the top five in the country for sales and revenue.
Eventually, I left Lifetime and started my own personal training business, initially training clients out of a garage. I did that for about a year before moving into a larger, 900-square-foot facility. After 18 months there, I relocated to my current location in Indian Land, South Carolina—a 1,650-square-foot facility and have been working full time there since January.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To be honest—and I feel very blessed to say this—overall, my journey has been pretty smooth. Of course, there were some bumps in the road, but when looking at the big picture, I believe everything has worked out exactly as it was supposed to, and I give all the credit to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Some of the biggest challenges I faced included being unexpectedly kicked out of our last location. However, through faith and surrounding myself with amazing people, we quickly pivoted and were able to secure our current location we are now training clients in which is significantly better than our last location
Of course, as a personal trainer and business owner, there is always a bit of stress in the back of my mind about losing clients and wondering where my next clients will come from. However, because of how passionate I am about my work and my strong work ethic, I’ve never had trouble retaining clients long-term or attracting new ones.
As you know, we’re big fans of E-2-R Personal Training at Optimal Fitness Solutions Gym. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I own my own personal training company as well as my own gym. My specialty is working with everyday people who are looking to improve their overall health—whether that’s putting on lean muscle mass, getting stronger, moving better, developing a healthier relationship with food, or overcoming chronic pain. I help clients achieve their goals by developing strategic, customized strength training programs tailored to their current level, along with support for their nutritional struggles.
When I train clients, I strive to do so in the most intelligent and structured way possible, especially when it comes to strength training. Thankfully, we live in a time where the vast majority of people understand the importance of lifting weights, especially as they get older. My role is to guide them through that process as effectively as I can.
During our sessions, we place a strong emphasis on proper exercise execution. The form and technique used during workouts is by far the most important variable someone has access to when it comes to changing their body composition. Once we have mastered proper technique, I do my best to push clients hard during each set, but always within what is appropriate for that specific individual on that particular day.
What I believe sets me apart from other trainers is my genuine passion for helping people. I demonstrate this through the time and money I dedicate to continuing education, as well as my extensive experience. I strive to provide my clients with the best training experience possible. Many clients who have worked with other trainers in the past have told me that my approach is very different—more personalized, focused, specific, and controlled. It’s not about making clients tired, sore, sweaty, and beat up for days after each workout. The goal is progress. Whether that’s through improved form, more load, or more reps.
If anyone reading this is looking to completely transform their body composition and learn how to properly strength train, I encourage you to give personal training with me a shot. I can almost guarantee it will be an experience unlike anything you’ve had before, and you will be training in the best-equipped gym in South Carolina.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Who else deserves credit for my success? First and foremost, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If it weren’t for my faith in Him, I simply would not be in the position I am today. Second, my wife. She’s my best friend and biggest supporter, and she has been with me every step of the way. Then, my boys, Kaisen and Koen. My children and my wife are my ‘WHY’. They fire my discipline and commitment every day of my life. They remind me why I do what I do and motivate me through tougher times in my business. Next, my clients. Many of them have stuck with me for a long time, and if it weren’t for their trust in me to guide them on their health and fitness journeys, I wouldn’t be where I am. Lastly, my mentor, Joe Bennett. There’s no one else who has taught me more about the business side of personal training, as well as physiology and biomechanics. Joe has been a huge blessing in my life, and I’m fortunate that he hired me over two years ago to be an employee on his Hypertrophy Coach app.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.e2rpersonaltraining.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_eli_hargis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094034593431
