We were lucky to catch up with GENAE BANKS recently and have shared our conversation below.
GENAE, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
FIT JUNKEY was founded by an ambitious fitness fanatic named Genae, who had a passion for helping people live healthier, happier lives. It all started when Genae was working out in her basement and invited some friends over to join her. Everyone had great time, and it sparked an idea in Genaes mind – what if she could turn her love for fitness into a business?
Genae knew that opening a gym required a lot of thoughtful planning. She started researching local gyms to learn the ins and outs of running a fitness center. She studied the market, analyzing other gyms in the area to identify what he could offer that was different. From there, Genae drafted a comprehensive business plan, detailing her target audience, equipment inventory, pricing structure, and more.
After a few months of planning, Genae decided to start small by testing the waters in her basement. She invited friends and family to join her workout regimen and offered sessions for free. She also asked for honest feedback, knowing that she had a lot to learn before going public.
The feedback from Genae’s early clients was phenomenal, and she began to build a reputation in her community. She kept cultivating her skills and building her network, looking for new opportunities to grow her business. Meanwhile, Genae was saving up for her own space to rent as well as taking classes to become a certified trainer.
The most challenging part of setting up FIT JUNKEY was getting city permits to add a water fountain to the gym. The city had strict regulations regarding water use, and Genae had to navigate a complex application process before her gym space was approved. She remained persistent and diligent, and in the end, she succeeded in bringing her vision to life.
Finally, after four years of trial and error, Genae was able to open the doors of her own gym. She had a strong client base from his basement operation, and she leveraged this following to attract new customers. Genae also made sure to keep her gym up-to-date with her unique training style, while retaining her unique selling proposition – providing personalized and affordable services.
If Genae could go back in time and do things differently, she would have saved even more money before opening her larger gym. Starting a business is expensive, and there will always be unforeseen expenses. Saving more could have helped minimize stress during the gym’s early days.
For any young professionals thinking of starting their own practice, Genae recommends a few things: do your homework, test your idea before going public, and be prepared for obstacles. Never give up, and keep learning from your experiences, as there is always room for improvement. Being adaptable and open-minded can also help you navigate the various challenges that come with starting a new business. Finally, Genae advises budding entrepreneurs to build relationships with other professional, so they can offer support and aid in growth.


GENAE, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Genae believes in the single concept of education, goal setting and motivation to acquire the results that you have only dreamed about getting. Whether you are new to lifestyle training, competing or looking to take it to the next level, you are in good hands.
Genae is a NPC Figure & Wellness Bikini Competitor, owner of Fit Junkey Studio. Genae has experience of preparing athletes for the stage, with Pro athlete titles as well as transforming her everyday lifestyle clients. Genae is also a big believer in putting her clients health first, not a trophy. Trust and communication is the foundation to true success.
What’s is Genae’s purpose and mission?
To educate others on how to live a healthy lifestyle. To build confidence in people to see their true beauty and genuinely be happy in their own skin. To be people’s support systems throughout their journey. To help people grow to be the best versions of themselves. To show others they deserve to live a happy, healthy life that they are proud of. We all truly deserve love, happiness, health and wealth and we are all capable of achieving it and all your other dreams💕. Do something everyday that pushes you one step closer to life and goals you’ve dreamed of. She promises that if you believe in yourself, be positive and stay consistent, good things will come your way🙌🏽.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
1. Building Strong Client Relationships: Personal training is all about relationships with your clients in order to help them reach their fitness goals. You need to have good communication skills, patience, and empathy to build trust and help your clients feel comfortable with you. This is important because clients are more likely to stick to their fitness program if they feel connected to their personal trainer.
2. Developing a Strong Fitness Knowledge Base: As a personal trainer, you will need to have an in-depth knowledge of fitness and health to effectively train your clients. This includes understanding the physiology of exercise, nutrition, and anatomy. You should also stay informed of new research and trends in the industry, attend educational workshops, and read professional journals to stay current.
3. Personalizing Programs to Meet Clients’ Needs: Each client is unique and has different goals, needs, and limitations. As a personal trainer, you need to be able to develop customized programs that are tailored to each client’s specific requirements. This means assessing your client’s fitness level, goals, fitness history, and any health or medical conditions that may affect their training.
4. Setting Realistic Goals: It is important to help your clients set realistic goals that are achievable and measurable. Understanding their level of fitness and ability will help you develop goals that are challenging but not impossible. You can break long-term goals into smaller goals that clients can accomplish along the way, which helps them feel motivated and encouraged by their progress.
5. Creating a Supportive Environment: As a personal trainer, you should create a supportive and positive environment that helps your clients feel motivated to achieve their goals. This includes providing regular feedback, offering encouragement and positive reinforcement, and celebrating their successes.
Overall, being a successful personal trainer requires strong communication skills, a deep knowledge of fitness and health, and the ability to develop customized programs that meet each client’s specific needs and goals. A positive attitude and dedication to your clients’ success are also crucial in building a successful career as a personal trainer.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Word of mouth referrals are a highly effective strategy for growing clientele. By providing quality services and building strong relationships with clients, Genae has gained credibility, targets her audience, and benefit from a cost-effective way to grow the business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fitjunkey.com
- Instagram: Fit Junkey
- Facebook: Fit Junkey







