We recently connected with Elizabeth Skwiot and have shared our conversation below.
Elizabeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I was a professional circus performer between earning my M.A. and Ph.D. While working as an adjunct professor, I became a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor to earn extra money. In client sessions I began blending exercises from my circus training into more traditional fitness and Pilates exercises. Clients loved the innovation and challenge. I then developed training programs and got them approved for continuing education. I knew I wanted to share the joy I found in circus training with everyone in a way that was safe, fun, effective, and accessible.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Cirque-It Fitness is circus-infused circuit training– a fast-paced, full-body workout experience in only 45 minutes. Its unique approach allows studios to monetize group training and stay relevant for a low cost of entry using their existing footprint. Trainers get more money per hour with little to no time spent prepping class. Users get a workout offering cardio, strength and flexibility training with individual attention at a fraction of the cost of a personal trainer.
We sell workshops in our proprietary program, associated equipment, and add-on NASM certifications as an NASM Academic Partner. We serve gyms/studios looking to add unique programming AND current (or potential) fitness professionals seeking education to further their career. If you are interested in fitness education OR you want to see Cirque-It Fitness at a gym near you, contact us!
Have you ever had to pivot?
When the pandemic hit, we adapted both our workout and our training workshops to be delivered virtually. Now, in addition to getting educated in the studio version of Cirque-It Fitness (with options that don’t require sharing equipment), trainees also learn how to adapt exercises for an at-home version of our workout. This means that studios can keep classes going regardless of gym closures or capacity restrictions. We also offer online workshops, though we look forward to returning to on-ground workshops very soon!
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
I originally taught my hybrid workouts simply to supplement my income. It wasn’t long until I realized that Cirque-It Fitness needed to be shared on a large scale. Getting my programs approved for continuing education by ACE, NASM, & AFAA has helped to establish credibility and offer fitness professionals value for their education.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cirqueitfitness.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cirqueitfitness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cirqueitfitness/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cirqueitfitness
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cirqueitfitness