We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rach Ballard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rach, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

Chin-Up Training has recently expanded, so this is a perfect question!

I attribute our success to a combination of the puzzle pieces falling into place at exactly the right times and a great deal of good luck.

In 2019, I was working as a trainer at a couple of gyms, both of which closed down during the pandemic. At that time, I was living in Washington State but had been wanting to move to Colorado. Since I was out of work, I decided to make the move. With no gyms operational, I drove to every corner of Denver to train clients in their homes. Because I only had a backpack full of resistance bands and a set of adjustable dumbbells I had to get creative with the way I would program workouts. After about a year of in-home training, couldn’t stand all of the driving anymore and began searching for a small studio to rent for my personal clients. After a few months of searching, I found the perfect location in the Baker neighborhood of Denver.

I had been teaching group fitness classes in Washington, and I missed that sense of community. After running Chin-Up Training as a private personal training studio for about two years, I decided to open it up to small-group classes and memberships. Having experienced a fairly aggressive atmosphere in every gym I had worked at, I wanted to create a safer space dedicated to women and the trans and queer community.

Initially, attendance at the classes was low. Even one person dropping in would make my day. I decided to invest in a social media and marketing manager, hiring Sara Bisenius, who has been incredible at her job. After investing in marketing, class sizes grew immediately. Six months later, we had outgrown our space and began looking for a larger one to accommodate our growing community. I asked my landlord to let me know if the unit next door ever became available and three days later she called to say that it would be available the following month.

It seemed like too perfect an opportunity to pass up, so I decided to go for it. I spent most of the summer of 2024 setting up equipment and preparing the new space. We opened the “Gold Side” on July 28th, and the reception has been amazing. Although it’s still a relatively small space, we cap our class size at eight people to ensure everyone receives personalized attention. The gym now has two locations: one dedicated entirely to private personal training sessions with our group of amazing trainers, and the other for classes, open-gym hours, and a lounge for members to enjoy.

Rach, 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?

My journey into personal training began while I was working as an EMT. I started training on the side and quickly fell in love with it. My experience in emergency medical services gave me a deep appreciation for how crucial fitness is in preventing medical issues and promoting overall well-being as we age.

I’m most proud of and derive the greatest joy from working with seniors and individuals who are just beginning their fitness journeys. With seniors, I have the privilege of helping them enhance their mobility, strength, and overall quality of life. Seeing them achieve their goals—whether it’s improving balance, gaining strength, or simply feeling more confident in their daily activities—is incredibly rewarding. Their resilience and commitment inspire me daily.

Equally fulfilling is guiding those new to fitness. Watching someone take their first steps toward a healthier lifestyle, overcome initial doubts, and gradually build confidence is profoundly gratifying. I cherish the opportunity to help them discover their own potential, celebrate their progress, and support them through the ups and downs of their fitness journey. For both groups, it’s not just about physical transformation; it’s about empowering them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives and witnessing their personal growth and triumphs.

My training style is rooted in strength training and functional fitness, but my real focus is on meeting people where they are. I believe that every fitness experience should be positive and empowering, and I’m committed to ensuring that every person leaves each session feeling stronger and more confident. Many of my clients come to me after having challenging or traumatic experiences with fitness in the past. One of my main goals is to help transform those experiences into something positive and uplifting.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

For much of my life, I struggled with the belief that I wasn’t particularly good at anything. This mindset was deeply ingrained, and I often felt like I was merely going from job to job without a clear sense of purpose. The notion of finding something I was truly passionate about seemed like an elusive dream. I frequently doubted my abilities and questioned whether I would ever discover a field where I felt competent and fulfilled. Personal training allowed me to combine my interests in health and fitness with a genuine desire to help others, leading to a realization that I could indeed be good at something.

As I delved deeper into personal training, I began to see how my previous self-doubt had been holding me back. Each success with my clients and every milestone reached reinforced my newfound confidence. Personal training became more than just a job; it was my passion. I learned that not only was I capable, but I also had the potential to thrive and find real satisfaction in my work. This journey of self-discovery transformed my outlook, proving that with the right opportunities and dedication, I could overcome my doubts and find fulfillment in what I love.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What has helped build my reputation within the market is a combination of genuine care, transparency, and community focus. My commitment to the people I work with is at the core of my approach. I genuinely care about clients I serve; their successes feel like my own, which fosters a deep sense of trust and connection.

Additionally, transparency in our pricing and a policy of avoiding heavy sales tactics have been crucial. Clients appreciate knowing exactly what to expect without hidden fees or aggressive upselling. This openness builds trust and reinforces our reputation as a welcoming and honest space.

Lastly, my strong focus on and genuine desire to build a supportive community have been pivotal. By creating an environment where everyone feels included and valued, we’ve fostered a sense of belonging that extends beyond just a fitness facility. This commitment to community not only strengthens relationships with current members but also attracts new ones who resonate with our values.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chinuptraining.com
• Instagram: chinuptrainingdenver & rachpersonaltraining
• Facebook: Chin-Up Training

Image Credits

Sara Bisenius